By Tony Harrison

Last updated 11:11, Saturday, 27 September 2008

Ex-Workington Town skipper Andrew Beattie is to return to Derwent Park after signing a one-year deal last night.

Andrew Beattie

Aussie Beattie, 27, helped Raiders to National League Two runners-up slot last season but has decided to return to the club he first joined in 2005.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Barrow but the way the quota slots are at the moment, with Barrow’s promotion seeing their quota slots reduced from two to one, I just wanted to play rugby and decided to return. At the end of the day, I just want to play rugby.

“I know the team is going to be a bit different from the one I played with last at Town, but I know there are going to be a few new players and hope to be challenging for promotion next season,” added Beattie.

This is the first signing of the season for Town who have seen several players move on in recent weeks. And it is bound to be a boost for coach Dave Rotheram as Beattie is comfortable at both centre and full-back. He originally signed for Town from French Elite outfit Carcassonne.

Town director Les Smallwood, who is responsible for player contracts, said: “Andrew was one of our main targets and it’s absolutely fantastic that he has returned to Town.

“He’s a superb professional, a proven try-scorer, and is professional in everything he does. And he’ll bring a winning mentality to the side, having proved himself at the top of NL2.”

Beattie skippered Town during the reign of Ged Stokes and also under the eye of joint-caretaker coaches Les Ashe and Craig Barker, and will take up one of the club’s quota places.

Smallwood added: “Hopefully, this is the first of a number of signings we will be announcing over the next few weeks.”