Barrow-born Ryan Johnston has committed his long-term future to his home-town club by signing a new three-year deal with the Raiders.
The 25-year-old half-back first joined the Raiders in 2017 when he became the first player to make the step up to the first team from Furness Raiders – the club’s development pathway.
He is now closing in on a century of appearances in Barrow colours, having featured 94 times for the club to date. During that time, he has scored 23 tries and added a further 23 goals, as well as three drop-goals – including a dramatic last minute winner at Whitehaven last month.
“It was massive for me, cementing my future with this three-year deal,” he said. “It’s good for me because I can get my head down and work hard.
“The end goal is to try and win some silverware with Barrow, even though some people think it might be out of reach.
“We’ve got some great people at this club, and there’s no reason why, over the next few years, we can’t establish ourselves a top-six team, push the play-offs and be successful in cup competitions.
“We need to kick on and not be a team that’s happy to be mid-table. We all want to develop, and I want to be part of a top-end Championship team here in Cumbria.
“It feels like only yesterday when I turned up as a young kid, training with the squad they had back then, sprinkled with big names.
“Over these last 18 months especially, I’ve really put my head down. I think that within the squad now, I’m more of a leader and someone who can nurture the younger kids coming through.”
In the absence of Jarrad Stack, the 25-year-old was given the opportunity to captain the team against Toulouse Olympique earlier in the season.
The experience is one Johnston was grateful for, and he is eager to continue to grow into a leadership role within the Raiders setup.
“It’s probably been an opportunity I’ve been waiting for,” he told the club website.
“I’ve always been a vocal person within the team, but I needed that little bit more experience behind me.
“This year, with Jaz [Jarrod Sammut] and Stacky [Jarrad Stack] missing a few games, as well as Nathan Mossop being out with his knee injury, I’ve probably been pushed into that role a little bit and managed to earn the respect of the lads in the changing rooms.
“It’s something I don’t take for granted, and I love helping my hometown club succeed, in whichever way I can.
“I know that it was only temporary, stepping in as captain over in Toulouse, but I’d like to be breathing down Stack’s neck now and potentially even taking the role from him when he hangs up his boots, whenever that may be.”
Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey said: “It’s fantastic news that outstanding local half-back Ryan Johnston has agreed a three-year deal at the club.
“Ryan was our first signing from the academy setup and has been with us ever since. He has worked hard on all aspects of his game throughout his time with us, but in particular, his defence, and he is now one of the best defensive half-backs in the Championship.
“He will continue to thrive and is now one of the established leaders of the group.
“Ryan is an example to all our aspiring local talent that if you put the hard work in and listen and learn as he has, then the future of our great club will be in good hands.”
Chairman Steve Neale said: “We are delighted to re-sign Ryan, who has now matured into a top-quality Championship half-back capable of taking control of matches.
“We are hoping to build a squad around him, and with him leading the team around the pitch, we feel we are capable of continuing to be a quality Championship team challenging for play-off positions.”
