Barrow have today announced via club media the signing of Burton Albion striker Cole Stockton on loan for the remainder of the season.
Things have not all gone to plan for Stockton since his summer move to the Brewers with the club deciding to allow the striker to apply his trade elsewhere for the second half of the season.
Stockton has made just ten appearances in the third tier this season and has seriously struggled for game time, starting in only four matches. The 29-year-old hasn’t exactly repaid the faith that former Brewers manager Dino Maamria put in him when he signed for the club. Maamria has since lost his job, with Burton now sat in 19th place in League One.
However, during his time at then third-tier side Morecambe, Stockton looked like a completely different player. In his two previous seasons with the Shrimps before making the move to Burton in the summer, the striker netted 38 times.
Those are exceptional numbers for any striker over a two year period, let alone one who played for a club flirting with relegation in both of those seasons.
It could represent a really good piece of business by Pete Wild and Barrow if things do fall right, but that is a big ‘if’ given Stockton’s underwhelming season so far. Given it is only a loan, there are fewer risks attached and supporters will be hoping the striker will relish a fresh opportunity.
Speaking on his decision to join the League Two outfit, Stockton said:
“I’m excited to get going now, it’s been a long but felt like a quick process to get everything sorted and it was a no-brainer for me to get back playing and get back enjoying [my football].”
“It’s just everything I’ve heard about the club and the direction it’s going in now, and everyone to do with the club has worked incredibly hard to get the club to where it is now and I’m looking forward to being a part of that and helping push the club forward.”
Sporting Director, Ian Wood seemed delighted with the acquisition, adding:
“I think it shows how far the club has come, just because Barrow couldn’t have been linked with someone like Cole back in the day as it would have been completely unachievable.
Signing a player like Cole Stockton who striker-wise could be in his prime and strikers aren’t easy to come by and we’re signing someone and already signed someone that has a similar record in Dom Telford, and having a Cole and Dom come to Barrow is no small feat really.”
Writer’s View
Stockton no doubt comes with risks attached, but having been one of the most prolific strikers in League One over the last couple of seasons, he could re-find his form in front of goal in League Two.
He may just be the man that Barrow need to push on to secure a space in the play-offs or potentially even an automatic promotion spot. The striker shouldn’t be missed too much by Burton, given the number of appearances he’s made this season and his signing in the summer has obviously not worked out.
Stockton back to his best could indeed be a force to be reckoned with and it will be interesting to see if he can get back to the level he showed at Morecambe.
