National League title win with Ian Evatt's Barrow tops off 'best season' of former Blackpool striker's career

The 27-year-old finished the campaign as the league’s top goalscorer with 20 goals as the Holker Street outfit completed a long-awaited return to the Football League after 48 years away.

The former Wrexham and Port Vale loanee made the permanent switch to Cumbria last summer after failing to force his way into Blackpool’s first-team plans.

Quigley was released by the Seasiders at the end of last season after failing to score a goal during his two years at the club.

The forward had previously made the move to Bloomfield Road during Gary Bowyer's tenure in August 2017, Pool paying Welsh side The New Saints an initial fee of £35,000.

But Quigley now feels he’s back on the right track after enjoying a successful season under Evatt’s tutelage.

“It’s definitely one of the best, if not the best, season in my career,” he told Barrow Mail.

"When I came into the English leagues from Wales, one thing I wanted to do was win a league or get promoted.

“Now I can tick that box off and hopefully we can look forward to more."

He added: "The feeling I’ve had from the fans is different from what I’ve had anywhere else and it’s been a privilege to play for Barrow.

"You never know before you start because as a footballer, it can go each way.

"You may not play as much as you’d want to and it might not happen for you sometimes in front of goal.

“I was just happy I could have a big impact and I think the team are really happy with everyone.

"The gaffer is really happy, obviously, but I’m just looking forward to some big games in League Two now."

Quigley now hopes his impressive campaign proves he’s more than just a physical front man.

"Because people see I’m 6ft 4in, they think that I’m just a target man,” he added.

"Now in the middle of my career, they’re starting to think ‘there’s a bit more to him,’ but I’d like to think they imagine there’s a bit more to me as well.

"Out of the goals I scored, I didn’t score a penalty, a free kick or a header."

Recalling the moment Barrow’s promotion was confirmed once a vote of National League clubs was revealed, Quigley said: "I had a mate round and his littl’un on Wednesday night and we were watching the footy and I don’t think I paid attention to the football after it got announced at 7pm.

"I sort of zoned out, thinking ‘wow, we’ve actually done it'.

"We know how much it meant to the fans and the town and it’s just brilliant that we were the team that could do it for them."