Ryan Donaldson has admitted his huge pride after he wasconfirmed as Pools' Club Captain for the 2019/20 campaign.
The 28-year-old revelled when handed the role during the
closing stages last term and boss Craig Hignett revealed last week that we
would be keeping faith with Donaldson in to the fresh campaign.With so many leaders within the squad, Donaldson has
insisted it's a big honour that he will get to wear the armband once more and
is hoping he can be leading a successful side.“I was delighted to be handed the captaincy in the latter part of last season and I am really pleased to keep hold of it going in to 2019/20,” said Donaldson, in his column to for this Saturday's issue of award-winning Matchday Programme The Blue Print.
“We've brought some good signings in over the summer and
some big characters so whatever the gaffer decided was always going to be fine
by me but I am proud that I can continue as skipper and be given the chance to
lead this group.“I think being given the armband last year had an effect on
me. I think you become more aware of the way you behave around the place and
you try to provide a bit of an example for others.“Maybe in the past I've been one of those players who just
focused on what I needed to do to be ready for a Saturday but as Captain I
think there's a bit of making sure that everyone does the same.“Like I say though, we've brought in players like Gus Mafutaand Michael Raynes who are natural leaders themselves.
“We've already got the likes of Feaths, Fraser and Nobsa toowho are also that kind of mould, it's just who they are as players and people.
“I think we're pretty lucky to have so many people who canreally help us and hopefully it gets us where we want to be.”
Read the full column from Ryan Donaldson, including his thoughts on the new season, Pools' summer recruitment, the important role of supporters and his comeback from injury in Saturday's issue of The Blue Print.