Barrow Raiders boss Paul Crarey says the prospect of becoming one of the club’s longest-serving coaches played a part in his decision to pen a new two-year contract.
Crarey has agreed to stay having steered the Raiders to Championship safety this year despite a crippling injury list and off-field issues.
With those now resolved under new chairman Steve Neale, Crarey – who turned down two offers from rival clubs this year – is confident that Barrow can kick on in 2019.
He said: “I had a meeting with Steve and we talked a lot about the bigger picture.
“It’s never been about the money for me, not from day one when I was at the club, and I decided after speaking to my family that I wanted to carry this journey on.
“I’m pretty honoured as a local lad to have been here for the last four years, and two years before that.
“This deal would take me to eight. I think there’s only Frank Foster who has done more than that, and I’d like to beat his record.
“To still be wanted by the club after four years is phenomenal in the modern game, which can be pretty cut-throat.
“I look at somebody like Alan Kilshaw, who did a great job at Rochdale, and I’m sure would do a great job somewhere else. There are some very good coaches not at clubs at the moment.
“I’ve got a good board here who buy into what we want to do as a club, working in the community and local schools. Long may that continue.”
