League 1 most competitive for many years, says Barrow prop Carl Forster

Barrow prop Carl Forster believes League 1 is the most competitive it has been for many years.

The 28-year-old joined Barrow ahead of the curtailed 2020 season, and signed an extended two-year contract heading into the 2021 League 1 campaign despite interest from other clubs.

Forster, a St Helens academy product, started at prop in the club’s League 1 opening fixture against Coventry, scoring a try to help secure a 38-20 victory at the Butts Park Arena.

Paul Crarey’s side return to Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium for the first time in 434 days this weekend against promotion-chasing rivals Keighley.

Forster said: “I thought we were brilliant against Coventry for the first 15 or 20 minutes.

“We got ourselves a good lead but we just went away from what we were working on and credit to Coventry, they kept coming at us and made it a tough day but we’ve seen the good and the bad on video this week and hopefully we can put that right.”

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Newcastle Thunder were successful in their bid to be the Championship’s 14th club for 2021, while Barrow face tough competition from several teams in the hunt for promotion.

Forster said: “I’m never one for setting personal goals apart from trying to bring my best every week for the team and hopefully that will contribute in the team doing well and achieving the team’s goal which is obviously promotion.

“I think League 1 is at its most competitive for many years with a lot of teams bringing in some great players. It’s going to be a real tough year, but I think with the squad the club have put together we have a great chance of doing something good this year.”

The Raiders recently announced that fans can return to the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium on May 30 against North Wales Crusaders, while the club have been enjoying a success with their marquee and beer garden within the ground, showing their away fixtures on the big screen.

ALSO READ: How Barrow Raiders are taking Covid-19 in their stride

Forster added: “It’s been strange not playing in front of fans as they give you that extra lift when needed in the game, so it will be nice to get them back and from my little experience of playing in front of the Barrow fans last year, I’m certainly looking forward to getting them back in and behind the team.”

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