OUTSTANDING back-rower Danny Morrow has signed a two-year deal with Barrow Raiders.

The former Walney Central amateur ace agreed terms, much to the delight of coach Paul Crarey who has tried to capture the player’s signature since taking over the reins at Craven Park two years ago.

Crarey was unable to hide his joy at the signing saying: “It made my year.”

Morrow follows his father Shaun into the Craven Park ranks and the multi-decorated former BARLA Great Britain international could even be thrust into action as soon at tomorrow against Workington Town if he gets the all-clear from the RFL.

The 25-year-old joins two other former Cents – Andy Litherland and Matty Holmes – in the Raiders squad, and Crarey said of Morrow’s signature: “It is brilliant for us.”

He added: “I spoke to him when I first got the job and he had a lot on with his degree, so it wasn’t even an option the first time round, he had a bit of a knee problem as well.

“This year again I spoke to him and he came down and trained with us, but still had a bit to do with work and things to juggle to see if he could do it.

“We left him a while and Andy Gaffney and Mike Sunderland went to speak to him again.

“I had been chasing Danny a long time and once Mike and Andy had sat him down and spoke to him he decided to come. He was down at training on Tuesday and they were speaking to him and then when I walked off the training park they said that Danny had signed.

“It is absolutely brilliant, it made my year really, I was just chuffed that he decided to have a go.

“It is a massive commitment and he didn’t want to do it if he wasn’t going to be 110 per cent because that’s the way he is.

“It is great news for us all really, he’s an athlete, a top-of-the-ground runner. He runs some great lines, a good player.

“When Paul Taylor (Raiders conditioner) watched him when he first came down he said he had probably got the best running style of all the forwards. He just glides across the ground.

“But there is no pressure on him, he has come in on a two-year deal, the first year is always the hardest and we will help him through that.”

Morrow’s arrival has come at an ideal time with Barrow recently losing the services of Adam Nicholson, who has recently joined amateurs Walney, and Craig Briscoe, who went to Championship new boys Oldham.

Morrow shone for BARLA during their tour Down Under in 2013, winning rave reviews from Australian NRL stars and coaches.

Back home he has won county honours and was part of the latest Cumbria open-age Tri-Series winning squad, who scored victories over Yorkshire and Lancashire on their way to claiming the honour.

It is Morrow’s skills and his consistent performances in the Cumbria League while playing for Cents which have seen former BARLA head coach Crarey keep a constant tab on the exciting player.

Crarey invited Morrow to join Barrow training last season, but a groin problem which required an operation at the time meant it was not an offer he was able to take up. He has also trained with them this pre-season.

Previous Barrow coach Anthony Murray was also interested in his talents, but his work commitments have been an issue in the past as well.

Joint-Raiders director of rugby Andy Gaffney, who shared Crarey’s delight in signing Morrow, said: “It’s massive, he is one of the best amateurs around here. We have approached him a number of times.

“We have asked him most years, every coach that has come in his was the first name that was touted about from the amateur scene.

“We have signed him on a two-year deal, it shows that we believe in Danny. I think it is a really big signing for us, he can play right and left edge, he is really good.

“I think it shows a very strong statement from the club of backing local amateurs.”