TOP performer Oliver Wilkes has been unveiled Barrow Raiders captain for the 2016 season.

The former Leigh skipper, who made the move to Craven Park in the close season, takes over the captain’s armband from Liam Harrison.

Coach Paul Crarey made the decision to appoint Ulverstonian forward as the club’s new leader to allow Harrison to concentrate on his rugby in what could be his final season.

In another move at the top, Crarey has named full-back Ryan Fieldhouse – another new signing – as joint vice-captain alongside hooker Nathan Mossop, who retains the honour from last season.

Fieldhouse steps up to replace Liam Campbell, who plans to retire at the end of the 2016 League One campaign.

“I spoke to Liam (Harrison) about it with Oliver coming in and he is totally happy about it,” said Crarey about the move.

“He sent me a nice text saying ‘I just want to concentrate on my football this year.’

Harrison, 32 next month, has led the Raiders for the past four seasons after being handed the job by former coach Darren Holt, and Crarey said of the loyal servant: “We don’t want to put any pressure on him.

“He has carried this club for a number of years and arguably has been one of the best players over the last 10 years even with some of the players we have brought in.”

Coach Crarey has known former Leigh Centurion skipper and Scotland World Cup player Wilkes since he was a youngster and had him under his wing earlier in his career when he was coach at Cumbria.

The Raiders coach said of the 35-year-old since who led Championship Leigh Centurions to three titles: “He has just got that presence hasn’t he? He’s a natural leader.

“He’s been captain wherever he’s been at but he has never rested on his laurels as captain, he takes it in his stride, nothing phases him. I have known him since he’s been a kid and he’s always been the same. He will deal with problems very well and that’s what he brings.”

Former Halifax and Dewsbury player Fieldhouse arrived as the second big name at Barrow and Crarey said of the 26-year-old: “We are going to have Ryan Fieldhouse and Mossy as vice captains, one in the forwards and one in the back.

“I think with Cammy leaving at the end of the year or retiring and with his commitments in teaching, we are just going to take a little bit of pressure off him as well.

“Ryan Fieldhouse will make a great vice captain, he is a natural leader. He has a great presence about him, is great in training as Ollie is, and Mossy has taken it on from last year, so they were obvious choices.”

Crarey is hopeful Harrison, who will make a decision about his playing future at the end of the new campaign, continues to stay at Barrow.

He believes inspirational forward or centre Harrison could have a massive 2016 on the field.

Crarey said: “We have asked Liam to lose a little bit of weight and start training early. He has certainly done that, he looks in good condition, he is raring to go.

“It’s Liam’s testimonial year and he’s got a lot going on, but we just want him to concentrate on his rugby so he has a great year and maybe doesn’t retire at the end of the season and maybe stays on, because he is probably now in the greatest shape in pre-season that I’ve seen him in.

“He has really worked hard, he is doing extras with Paul Taylor (conditioner). With it being his 10th year you would have thought he would sit back but he has told me he doesn’t want to be a bit-part player. I am going to take the pressure off him so he can solely concentrate on his rugby.”