By Helen Thompson

Last updated 13:58, Monday, 29 September 2008

Barrow star Mike Whitehead put pen to paper with Workington Town last night.

Mike Whitehead

The 30-year-old forward is set to beef up the Town pack for the coming NL2 season and his new coach Dave Rotheram is delighted to have him on board.

“He has the winning mentality after being part of such a successful Barrow team,” said Rotheram.

“He is a big, fast back rower and is a great acquisition for us.”

The sentiment was echoed by director Les Smallwood, who believes Whitehead’s experience will be a key factor.

“He has bags of experience, playing at the top of the league and helped to get Barrow promoted,” he said.

“Mike is a player that will make 50-odd tackles in a match and he will bring his physical presence to the side which we lack sometimes.

“Hopefully he will be the first of a few big forwards signing in the coming weeks.”

Whitehead has spent all but one of the last 10 seasons with the Raiders when he had a one-year spell with NL1 Whitehaven.

The 6ft 5in back rower clocked up over 250 appearances for Barrow in his time with them.

This signing is a boost to Town, following the news last week that powerful Aussie Chris Young is going in the opposite direction to join NL1 Barrow.