Paul Casson confident Barrow can be a force in the National League

Barrow-born businessman Paul Casson took over the club and guided them back into the National League for this season

Barrow will be more than capable of competing in the forthcoming National League season following last term's promotion, says owner Paul Casson.

The Bluebirds returned to the top tier of the non-league system after a two-year absence by winning the Conference North title.

Manager Darren Edmondson has added ex-league players such as David Mellor and Andy Haworth to the squad this summer.

"I think we'll be very competitive," Casson told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It was a pretty good team last year and most of the players have returned, while we've strengthened in key areas.

"Some of the players we brought in need to gel and, if that happens while the rest of the team reprise what happened last year, I won't be surprised if we're in the play-off picture."