Manager Graham Westley has announced John Mousinho as the new Club captain ahead of the first competitive game.
The former Brentford and Stevenage midfielder has held the armband on a number of occasions during the pre-season campaign and his appointment was officially on Friday.
Speaking in his new regular column in the matchday programme for next week’s fixture, the 26-year-old spoke of his pride at being able to lead the Club out.
“The manager had made it public that the position was up for grabs,” he told the matchday programme. “I knew him already from my two years at Stevenage, so he knew me as a player and as a person as well, so it was just a case of seeing how we came back pre-season and giving everyone a fair chance.
“He named me captain for the first pre-season game and it wasn’t made official until last week, but it was something I really relished from the moment I was made captain for that game against Southport and I have had the chance to do it again from the games that followed it. It was a challenge at the beginning of pre-season and now that I have been named it is really exciting.
“I’ll be especially proud this year just because of the nature of what has happened to the Club in the last few months; the turnover over players and staff. We have a new set of players a relatively new manager, I think the fans are looking forward to it and now we have a new captain and it is something I am really looking forward to – leading the lads out in front of the fans for the opening game of the season.
"I’ve been excited about it for a long time, it will be a really proud moment and something I am really relishing.”
The manager said the decision had been one to assist him and the team: “John is a fantastic example to his team-mates in his professionalism on all levels.
“The intensity with which he works and his qualities as a human being make him perfect leadership material. Importantly, John knows me well and believes in the way in which I like to work.
“Her is brave enough to tackle me and intelligent enough to influence me. He is a fantastic communicator and he is forthright with his opinions. The team will benefit from his strength of character.”
You can read more from Mousinho in every edition of The One And Only during 2012/13 – don’t miss an edition by subscribing for a season now at www.mypne.com.