Nick's new challenge after PNE

Nick Anderton has agreed to join Barrow after being released by PNE

The young left-back was released by PNE last month and has agreed a two-year deal with the Cumbrian outfit.

Anderton, 20, spent time on loan with Barrow last season, helping them secure an 11th place finish in the National League.

The Hoghton lad was with North End for five years, joining when he was 15.

He served his scholarship at Deepdale and signed professional after that.

Anderton told the Evening Post: “I loved my time at North End – being a Preston fan meant it was very special.

“To go to Wembley last year with the lads and see us get promoted was brilliant.

“I learned so much about the game and football industry in the last five years, making some great friends.

“My aim was to get into the team, which I didn’t manage to do but obviously the club were able to attract some very good players to come in and play.

“Towards the end of the season, Simon Grayson sat down with me and was very honest about what was happening.

“Preston have had a great season and they are trying to build on it – I respect that.

“I’ve not got the experience at this level but the gaffer said I had all the capabilities if we had been in League One.

“I believe in myself and my ability and it was nice to get a few offers before deciding to go to Barrow. Although I’m going out of the Football League, I believe I can get back in the future.

“Hopefully that can be with Barrow, who have put a lot of faith in me.

“If I can play regularly over the next two seasons, I will have more than 100 games under my belt in what is a competitive league.

“It might be that managers from the Football League will see that, look at my age, and think I can offer something.

“The National League is very strong, there are some big clubs – Wrexham, Tranmere, Chester to name but three.”

Anderton also played for Aldershot in the National League last season during a loan spell from PNE.

He went back to Barrow in January, having previously been on loan there in the 2014/15 campaign when they were in Conference North.

Said Anderton: “Although there were a couple of offers in the Football League, I felt Barrow was the right move.

“I have a good relationship with their manager Paul Cox and that was the main reason.

“He did a lot of work with me when I was on loan.

“Barrow are a club moving in the right direction and I’m looking forward to getting started with them.

“I had a hernia operation towards the end of the season, a couple of weeks before Alan Browne and Paul Gallagher, so I’m getting fit at the moment after that.”