Ross Barrows takes the Iron's summer signings into double figures

Scunthorpe United is delighted to announce the signing of defender Ross Barrows from Altrincham on a one-year deal, effective from July 1st, 2023.

The 25-year-old takes the Iron into double figures in terms of summer signings ahead of the side’s Vanarama National League North campaign.

Born in Sheffield, Barrows was on the Iron’s books previously, spending six years in the academy between the ages of nine and 15. Following his departure, he managed to forge a successful career so far, first ending up at FC Halifax Town where he came through the youth team before spending two years as a professional.

During his time at the Shay, he did spend a period of time out on loan at Frickley, where he scored four goals in seven games before having another spell away from the side, this time at North Ferriby.

Barrows would then have a stint at Grantham before signing for King’s Lynn towards the end of the 2018-19 season. In the following season, he would be part of the side which achieved promotion from National League North. During their time in the National League, he’d make 58 appearances, scoring four goals.

He’d then move onto Altrincham for the 2022-23 season and started the campaign strongly, featuring in 13 games - including the 2-2 draw against the Iron - before he suffered an injury in mid-November.

A qualified coach, he owns and runs Ross Barrows 22 Coaching, while he also formerly worked for 780 Coaching between 2017 and 2021.

Reacting to returning to the club, he said: “It’s full circle to me coming back. From a young boy, I dreamed about playing for the first team, so to come back and for it to be a reality, I’m absolutely over the moon.

“16 years ago, I was a nine-year-old signing for the Under-10s. I left the club at 15, but to now come back 10 years later is an unbelievable feeling. I’ve worked in the local area, I’ve played for the academy, coached at local schools and know a lot of people in the area, so I know what this football club means to the fans. To come back here to try and get the club back where it belongs is absolutely huge.

“It’s a great project that the club is going on and it’s a journey I want to be part of.”