By Martin Morgan

Last updated 13:01, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

Liam Campbell did not cash in by switching from Derwent Park to Barrow, says Workington Town boss Dave Rotheram.

Liam Campbell

The former Town playmaker was unveiled by the newly-promoted NL1 outfit on Friday, along with Haven skipper Gary Broadbent.

And Rotheram reckons the contract offer made to Campbell by Town was probably more lucrative than that from his home-town club.

“He left because he wanted to play First Division rugby,” said Rotheram. “He rehabed well from his injury and we got a little snapshot of what he could do in our play-off game at Keighley.

“He’s an exciting player with ball in hand, and it’s a shame we’ve lost him. But it’s part of being a Second Division club, and we have to accept that.

“It shows we are doing a decent job when our players are going on to play at a higher level.”

Rotheram cited Shaun Lunt’s switch to Super League Huddersfield as another example of a player nurtured by Town moving on to bigger things.

“They’ll get him back in full-time training, and in 12-months’ time Shaun will be ready to go,” he added. “He’ll be outstanding. He’s gone to a good club and will be well looked after.”

Town, who are in the market for half-backs having also lost Carl Forber, to Rochdale, have been linked in the RL press with Keighley back-rower Chris Redfearn, though Rotheram has not yet even spoken to the 27-year-old.