THE year 1900 was a very important one.

It was the year the Labour Party was formed; the first electric bus became operational and the Boxer Rebellion in China was still at large.

It was also the last time Great Harwood won the Senior League title.

The team was captained by Walter Kirkbright and a field day was held to celebrate the success.

But the latest man to try and lead the club to end the jinx, Allan Armer, is hoping to follow in his footsteps.

The Cliffe outfit currently lie top of the table after a great win over in-form Padiham at the weekend.

It came just a week after a crushing defeat at the hands of Baxenden.

And with a top-of-the-table clash against Barnoldswick in the offing this weekend, Armer has his eyes on ending the 108-year drought.

He said: "I've been a member of the club for 16 years and I can't remember us having a start like this.

"We've had some good players in the past but, for whatever reason, we've just never been able to win the league.

"The pro has done tremendously well but it's interesting that none of our amateur batsmen have got a 50 in the league and we're still on top.

"Apart from the Baxenden game, which I wasn't able to play in, we've done enough to win and we've played a lot of the top sides and beaten them.

"It shows that we have a good first team squad. We have 15 or 16 players who can come into the side and do a job."

But if Harwood are to steal a march at the top of the table, they must overcome a resurgent Barnoldswick side.

Armer added: "We'll have to play well and we'll go into the game full of confidence after beating Padiham.

"We're a long way from winning anything but to do so would be a fantastic achievement for everyone concerned.

"And to be the captain would be a fantastic thing for me personally.

"There's five teams, maybe more, that will think they can win it and we have keep our standards high.

"It's a long season and it's all about the next game."