Glenn Murray believes a goalscoring run at Barrow helped him eventually earn a move to Carlisle United.

Ahead of Non-League Day last Saturday, the 35-year-old Maryport striker reflected on the pathway he took to the Premier League that saw him begin his football career in non-league football, while working as a plasterer.

Murray’s first stint at Brunton Park came as a youth player before he then began playing senior football for Workington Reds.

He then set off for North Carolina to play for Wilmington Hammerheads as he attracted interest from Sunderland.

“I went and played in America. I spent three seasons over there and played from March until September or October,” he said. “I then came home and played non-league for Workington Reds from when I landed until March.

“On my third season in America, Sunderland came out on a pre-season tour and Mick McCarthy invited me back for a trial. I spent about eight weeks in Sunderland and it never materialised.”

But it was then that Murray again tried to get back in contact with Carlisle.

“Mick asked if I wanted him to call anyone, and I asked him to call Paul Simpson at Carlisle for me. He played with Paul at Barnsley and he said it wasn’t a problem to make the call,” he explained to the club website.

“I waited for the call from Carlisle and it didn’t come for about six weeks. So, in the meantime, I gave up and lost interest in football. I was fed up because I had a taste and then got knocked back again.I got a random call on a Tuesday night and was asked if I wanted to come and play for Carlisle’s reserves. My first thought was ‘I haven’t trained and haven’t been playing football’.

“But I managed to play and get on the scoresheet. I was then invited for a trial with the first-team, I trained there for 10 weeks but Paul just couldn’t make his mind up.”

It was then that Murray agreed to play for the Bluebirds while still training with United.

Murray added: “I trained every day with Carlisle, keen as mustard, and played for Barrow. I scored 10 goals in 10 games and gave Paul Simpson no option but to give me a contract.

“He gave me a contract until the end of the season. I scored on my debut and got promoted. I then got a new contract and the rest is history.

“The 10 goals for Barrow were critical. I don’t know if four goals in 10 games would have done it for him, I’m not sure if he was looking for a goalscorer or a target man. Those ten goals in ten games earned me that opportunity to progress. Non-league football was huge for me.”