IT'S good to see that recruitment is still taking place down at Craven Park, and the signings of Jono Smith from Rochdale Hornets and Australian Dean Parata are sure to add power and pace to an already existing talented squad of players.

Jono always had good games for North Wales Crusaders against Barrow and is a no-nonsense, go forward ‘pocket rocket’. Dean currently plays for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, which is a feeder club for Manly in Australia and has played international rugby league for Italy seven times, including three appearances at the 2013 World Cup.

If his video clips are anything to go by it looks like we have just signed another Andy Ellis at his peak.

So well done to the club for attracting these quality players to Barrow, along with Glenn Riley from Whitehaven and the other Australian Italy international Alec Susino.

Barrow’s efforts have been recognised by others in the game and it was also pleasing to read ex-Raiders coach Garry Schofield’s column in Rugby League Express where he chose Paul Crarey as League One coach of the year, citing ‘playing in the right way and giving locals a chance’.

Lewis Charnock was also quoted a being the best signing in League One, with his partnership with fans' favourite Jamie Dallimore key to Barrow’s promotion success.

Absolutely, but what’s unique about Barrow is that the majority of the squad are local and therefore the perfect template which most other clubs cannot replicate.

That home-town team mentality should give us a competitive edge, particularly at Craven Park which must become a fortress if we are going to survive in the Championship.

I can’t wait for the pre-season friendlies to see the newcomers and three games have been confirmed with the usual suspects, all at home, starting with Keighley Cougars (January 14), Oldham (January 21) and Whitehaven (January 28).

Our Championship rivals are also recruiting with intent and the four clubs on the survival radar are assembling some very strong squads, also with a good smattering of ex Raiders favourites.

First, there is Swinton. The 2017 season was an eventful one for the club, embroiled in a relegation battle in the Championship on the field, whilst struggling with financial difficulties with HMRC off it.

Ex-main sponsor Andy Mazey is now Chairman and he describes coming into the club in “one of its darkest hours”. However they have survived and recruited stand-off Danny Ansell from Hunslet, who is a class act, and he joins ex Raiders players Chris Hankinson, Anthony Bate, Antony Nicholson and Andy Bracek.

There should be some good match ups when we play Swinton at home on Easter Monday.

Rochdale did well to stay up and they have bolstered their squad with the welcome return of experienced Dave Allen, who won the Championship with Barrow but was out injured for the whole of last season at Whitehaven.

They have also announced that for the third year running, they will be partnering with Super League club Warrington Wolves in a dual-registration agreement which I thought had died a death.

The agreement will once again see Warrington players be available to play for the Championship club, just as Lee Mitchell, Dec Kay and Lewis Hatton did last season. That trio are now part of the Rochdale squad after signing on a permanent basis.

Dewsbury have ex-Raiders Dom Speakman and Michael Knowles, who was terrific for Barrow in the Championship-winning campaign. Jordan Crowther (Wakefield Trinity – loan), Billy Hayes, Harvey Woollard (Huddersfield Giants),Martyn Reilly (Halifax) and well-travelled Rob Worrincy (Halifax).

Heavy Woollen Derby neighbours Batley have signed a lot of Yorkshire-based players including Ulverstonian Will Maher from Castleford, Jonny Campbell (Bradford Bulls), Izaac Farrell (Huddersfield Giants – loan), Tom Hemingway (Dewsbury Rams) and Tommy Holland (Whitehaven).

To survive in the Championship we must finish above two of these four teams; it’s going to be tough!

Merry Christmas!