BARROW RAIDERS can provide a route to Super League.
That’s the message from chairman Steve Neale after young forward Finn McMillan joined Wigan.
The 20-year-old came through the ranks at hometown Barrow, playing for their development side Furness Raiders and penning his first professional contract in 2024.
McMillan, who has featured 13 times for the first team, has now signed a two-year Wigan contract, with the Warriors holding an option to add a third.
While disappointed to lose him, Neale looked at the positives of a deal which allows they player to turn out for Barrow if not needed by his new club.
“It works out well for all concerned. Finn gets to train in a full-time environment while still being available for Barrow, should he not break into the first team.
“We also get the benefit of having loan signings available from Wigan throughout the season.
“The message it says to our youngsters is that joining Barrow is still a route to Super League.”
Championship clubs have little power in preventing players from taking full-time opportunities in Super League.
The Raiders acknowledged they would not stand in McMillan’s way of representing a club of Wigan’s size and stature.
The deal comes three years since flying winger Tee Ritson got a chance to taste Super League with St Helens, and he has now returned to the Raiders at the end of his deal.
Ritson has been handed squad number 25, with fellow new signings Joe Bullock and Greg Richards taking 10 and 16.
The latest Furness Raiders graduates, Seth Woodend and Dan Knott, will wear 19 and 20 after signing their first professional deals earlier this year.
Barrow squad numbers: 1 Luke Cresswell, 2 Andrew Bulman, 3 Shane Toal, 4 Curtis Teare, 5 Luke Broadbent, 6 Brad Walker, 7 Ryan Johnston, 8 Tom Walker, 9 Josh Wood, 10 Joe Bullock, 11 Ellis Robson, 12 Matt Costello, 13 Ryan King, 15 Charlie Emslie, 16 Greg Richards, 17 Alex Bishop, 19 Seth Woodend, 20 Dan Knott, 21 Trent Ruddy, 25 Tee Ritson.