NELSON skipper Duncan Spencer today revealed the club tried to sign Indian Test star Sachin Tendulkar as a replacement for Roger Harper.

After months of uncertainty, West Indian batsman Keith Arthurton finally agreed to take over as Harper's successor last week.

But Spencer admits the current Lancashire League champions tried and failed to lure more than 20 other big names -- including Tendulkar -- before Arthurton eventually came to the rescue.

"It's been a nightmare, to be perfectly honest," said Spencer.

"Both the chairman and the secretary have been on the phone in the early hours of the morning talking to players and agents and they must have tried about 25 different people.

"It seems so much harder to get a pro these days.

"With the international calendar like it is these days, most of the top players are playing all the year round.

"And if you want to go for a top notch player it's a real struggle to get one for the full season.

"I must admit a couple of weeks ago I got a bit panicky and thought we might have to start the season without a pro.

"But we had to give Roger as long as possible out of respect for what he has done for us and I hope people understand that."

Aussie skipper Steve Waugh, South African Lance Klusener, New Zealand's Chris Harris and West Indies veteran Phil Symons were among the leading names the club targeted. But it was their audacious attempts to sign Tendulkar which fully demonstrated their determination to recruit the best.

"We spoke to an agent in London though we never really got too far with that one," said Spencer.

"But we were mainly looking at South Africans and Australians.

"We spoke to Pat Symcox a couple of times and he was very helpful.

"And we also tried the likes of Steve Waugh, Colin Miller, Lance Klusener and Chris Harris.

"Then we spoke to Mushtaq Ahmed who was very keen to come but just as he was about to sign he got called up to the Pakistani Test team.

"That was very disappointing because the more I thought about him, the more I thought he would be a great signing for us."

Former Ramsbottom pro Harris had given an early indication that he wanted a break from competitive cricket, then had a late change of heart and finally reverted to his original plans to have a rest.

And, in another twist, the club then turned their attentions to Simmons and the West Indian had all but put pen to paper on a deal.

However, Spencer again got back-word at the 11th hour.

"We had more or less signed him a couple of Fridays ago and then I suddenly got a message to say he wasn't coming because somebody else had made him an offer.

"But I'm just relieved it's all over.

"And considering the difficulties these days, I think the rest of the teams in the league have done exceptionally well to sign who they have.

"We are delighted to have got someone like Keith at the 11th hour.

"He was someone we had talked about briefly before.

"He's a terrific batsman and I'm sure he will do well for us.

"But there's a lot of good pros around this year and it looks like it's going to be an interesting summer."