Barrow Raiders utility forward Charlie Emslie has signed a new two-year deal which will see him remain at the Northern Competitions Stadium until at least the end of the 2026 season.
The Scotland international has spent each of his four years in the senior game playing for the Raiders, making a total of 59 appearances and scoring three tries.
Before then, he played his junior rugby at Millom and impressed as part of the Raiders’ development academy, going on to sign his first professional deal with the club ahead of the 2021 campaign.
During the 2024 season, Emslie made 11 appearances, either in the second row or at loose forward.
A serious bicep injury limited the 23-year-old’s game time, with Emslie missing over four months of action between April and September. However, the talented young forward is keen to become a mainstay of Paul Crarey’s side during the years ahead.
He said: “I’m very pleased to get this deal sorted as I see my future being at this club.
“I’m excited for what’s to come. Barrow is very close to my heart, and it was an easy decision to stay here.
“I’m hoping to be an important part of the squad over the next two years and cement my place within the team each week. There’s a great vision at the club, and to be a part of that will be very special.”
Barrow Raiders head coach Crarey said: “Charlie is one of our own, hailing from the production line of Millom.
“It was with our academy that we first saw the potential in him and gave him his first professional contract. He is a warrior on the field, who has worked tremendously hard to be the player he is.
“We still believe there is much more to come. Charlie is a role model for all our academy players, and it’s great to have him with us again next year.
“We want all the best local players to make it here, in ours and their team. Charlie is a great favourite with the crowd and proves what you can achieve with hard work and dedication.”
Director of rugby Andy Gaffney said: “Everyone at the club is delighted that Charlie has agreed to remain a Raider for the next two seasons.
“We’ve all seen him progress at the club over many years. Keeping Charlie fit for the majority of next season will be the key, as we see him as an important part of our side moving forward.”
Meanwhile Emslie has helped raise over £3,500 alongside team-mate Brett Carter by having their hair trimmed.
Both players like their locks to be long, so there was plenty to chop off and after the final Championship game of the season the scissors were out for the sponsored trim.
Benefitting were the Little Princess Trust and St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston.
The Little Princess Trust provides free real-hair wigs to children and young people up to the age of 24, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.
They also fund childhood cancer research, searching to find kinder and more effective treatments.
St Mary’s provide care and comfort for patients living with life-shortening illness or long-term conditions, and their families.
They support people from the moment of diagnosis, and their families for longer, providing a crucial service for those who need it most.
Emslie said: “Brett mentioned that he was thinking about donating his hair a few months ago, and I thought that it was a great idea.
“I did some research about how long it needed to be, and decided that once mine was long enough, I’d do the same.
“It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that Brett and I thought about doing a big joint fundraiser, and sharing it with another charity.
“Brett mentioned St Mary’s Hospice, which is a great organisation and close to the hearts of a lot of people across the area.”
Supporters had the opportunity to donate online or at the club’s final game of the season, with matchday bucket collections taking the overall tally to beyond £3,500.
