No player panic at Barrow - Keen

Barrow director Tony Keen has urged supporters to be patient as the club continue their search for new players.

The Bluebirds have made just one new signing so far this summer with the capture of Simon Spender from Wrexham.

"You've got to put things into perspective," Keen told BBC Radio Cumbria. "The football season has only been finished a couple of weeks.

"Because we've stepped-up a level, the expectancy for something to happen is there, but there is no panic."

Some Barrow fans have expressed concern at the Bluebirds' transfer policy since the end of the season.

We have to be better equipped and the three-day week is the way forward. It hasn't suited a couple of players but two players don't make a football team

Tony Keen

"I think the fans and the media want to see movement all the time but the reality is that football has to stop for a couple of weeks," Keen added.

"Pre-season will start towards the end of the month and we'll be trialling a few players. We don't want to rush in and get the wrong players and we don't know yet who is available.

"We are getting close to signings. There's a couple of meetings later this week and hopefully we can sign a couple more players."

The Bluebirds are seeking a replacement for defender Steve McNulty, who turned down the offer of a new deal at Holker Street last week.

"It's sad," Keen said. "Steve has been a fantastic player for the club and probably became a big part of the club's history.

"I actually met with Steve along with [managers] Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan to try and convince him it was the way forward.

Rogan turned down a new deal at Holker Street last month

"Steve said his finances were at a different level to what we were prepared to pay. He's sad to go but the decision was his and we move on."

Keen also revealed that there has been interest in transfer-listed striker Nick Rogan and also defended the club's decision to move to near-full-time status next season.

"We're talking to a number of clubs about him," he said. We'll talk to them and come to an agreement and Nick can move on.

"A lot of people have been saying a lot of things about stepping up to three days training a week. The issue was could we sustain our Blue Square Premier status as a part-time team like we were last year?

"I think the league's going to be stronger, I don't think you'll have a Lewes or a Northwich next year and the safety net of two or three clubs getting themselves into financial problems.

"So we have to be better equipped and the three-day week is the way forward. It hasn't suited a couple of players but two players don't make a football team."