NEW Barrow Raiders captain Oliver Wilkes only accepted the armband after being backed for the job by long-time skipper Liam Harrison.

The all-action prop, signed in the close season from Championship hotshots Leigh Centurions, was offered the role by coach Paul Crarey soon after coming on board at Craven Park.

But Wilkes, who led Leigh to two successive titles, wanted reassurances from Harrison that he was the right man to take over.

Wilkes says he is ‘honoured’ to lead Barrow in 2016 and is expecting a big season in League One.

Loyal Raiders servant Harrison has started his testimonial year as he enters his 10th season at Craven Park, and Wilkes said of Harrison’s gesture: “I am honoured to take the role, but I wanted to make sure it was all right with him.

“Liam actually rang me up and said he wanted me to take it, so I have obliged and I am looking forward to what I can bring to the side.”

He added: “I know Liam has been captain for a few years and the first thing I said to Cresta when he mentioned it was ‘hang on a minute, have you mentioned that it is all right with Liam, because I don’t want to be treading on his toes before I get in’.”

Wilkes is eager to take to the field and is expecting a top-two finish following a strong recruitment drive by Crarey, which has led to himself coming on board as well as his old team-mate and another former Super League player Martin Aspinwall.

Newly-appointed joint-vice-captain Ryan Fieldhouse, son of Warrington legend John, has also strengthened the Raiders squad, as have half-back Dan Abram and forward Matty While.

Scotland international and World Cup player Wilkes said ahead of the season, which kicks off at North Wales Crusaders on March 6: “I think with the recruitment this year Barrow have laid out their intentions for everybody to assume they are going for promotion.

“Barrow did extremely well last year with the resources that they had and nobody wants to go to Barrow and play – they are a formidable side at home.

“This year we have got some good additions, Martin Aspinwall, young Dan Abram coming in, Ryan Fieldhouse and myself.

“So we are only going to improve on last year’s league position. I would say a top-two spot.”