The desire to play at a higher level proved the deciding factor for Glenn Riley after agonising over whether or not to leave home-town club Whitehaven for Barrow Raiders.

Prop Riley has become the Raiders’ second signing ahead of the 2018 Kingstone Press Championship season, moving from their Cumbrian rivals on a one-year deal.

The 25-year-old, who hails from Frizington, has been a regular in the Haven pack over the past two seasons but could not resist the opportunity to test himself in the Championship again.

“I am a Whitehaven lad and I took quite a while to think about it,” said Riley.

“A lot of my family support Whitehaven and have been down there for years, and I got along with the boys and coaching staff really well.

“They offered me a contract again but it was time to move on and play in a better league and higher standard.

“It was just that fact that it is a league above, I just want to play in that better standard of rugby. But it was quite a hard decision, to be honest.”

Riley, who started his professional career with Warrington Wolves and had spells at Swinton Lions, London Broncos and London Skolars as well, made a total of 22 appearances for Whitehaven last season.

They included playing in all three encounters with Barrow and scoring a try in the 32-6 win for the hosts at the Recreation Ground in the final match of the League One regular season.

Riley made an impression on Paul Crarey in each of those matches, with the Raiders head coach also pleased with the attitude shown by the forward during contract talks.

“I watched him very closely in the three league games against us and I thought he was outstanding, probably the best forward on the park,” said Crarey.