THE SADDLERS have today named Darren Byfield as captain for the new season.

The 33 year-old is one of the more experienced heads in Chris Hutchings' side and is relishing the role. "It's a great honour, to be honest," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it.

"It did come as something of a surprise; it's the first time I have ever had the armband and it ranks up there with scoring the winner at the Millennium Stadium and playing International football for Jamaica as one of the proudest moments of my career.

"I've had a smile on my face ever since I was told the news. I feel like a little kid again!

"I also realise that with the role comes responsibility; we have a young team and it is up to myself and the other more experienced lads to help the younger members of the team become better players.

"I was already excited about Saturday's game, but now I'm even more so. It's a tough start for us, but we are looking forward to putting what we have done during pre-season into action.

"We have got to have ambitions of finishing higher than last season and aim for at least the play-offs. We have a lot of good players here, we just need to find a level of consistency."

Manager, Chris Hutchings and his assistant, Martin O'Connor have no doubts that Byfield is the right man to lead the club. "Darren commands plenty of respect at the club," said Hutchings. "He has the experience and will be a good captain for us."

"Darren has done fantastic during pre-season and worked extremely hard," added O'Connor. "He is one of our senior pros and it is up to him to lead by example.

"I have no doubt that he will do just that."

Saddlers Player subscribers can hear the fulkl interview with the new skipper later today as part of our big-match build-up...