National League will be even tougher, says Barrow boss Paul Cox as competition increases over signings

BARROW boss Paul Cox expects the National League to be “the hardest in a number of years” and admits it has been tough to get signings over the line.

The Bluebirds finished seven points outside the play-offs last season and Cox has so far signed five new players as preparations for next term continue.

Jordan White, Bradley Bauress, Dan Jones, Asa Hall, Bedsente Gomis and David Fitzpatrick have all arrived at Holker Street but Cox has revealed he has missed out on a number of other targets.

Central defenders Manny Smith and Shaun Pearson both signed for Wrexham while Barrow lost duo Paul Turnbull and Ross Hannah to Chester.

Promoted clubs AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet United especially have strong financial backing and former Mansfield chief Cox says it has been a testing summer so far.

“We have been very unlucky with some of the signings we have tried to make,” Cox told the North-West Evening Mail.

“This year, everybody seems to be pushing the boat out. I don’t know if it’s because there are the extra play-off places, but we have lost out on some excellent players, and there are players we have released who people have taken on and are paying them absolute fortunes.

“That’s something we have had to contest with, and something we have an understanding of. It’s not just the North West sides, some of the clubs down south are really flexing their financial muscle.

“It all makes for what I would say is the most competitive league – probably the hardest in a number of years.

“Maidenhead have (manager) Alan Devonshire and will probably have money to spend, Ebbsfleet have come up and will probably have one of the biggest wage bills in our league.

“Then you look at clubs like Wrexham, who probably weren’t competitive last year, and who have made good signings, Chester have made good signings. It adds to what I think is going to be a very spicy league this year.”

Meanwhile, highly-rated defender Nick Anderton has left the club to sign for League One outfit Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.

The left-back joined Barrow permanently from Preston last summer and was a key part of the Bluebirds’ defence last season.