Today Eccleshill United can confirm that midfielder, Charlie Flaherty will be taking on the role as captain of the club moving forward following the departure of Sam Bradley.

After the announcement at the start of the year that former club captain, Sam Bradley, would be leaving the club due to a work opportunity in Dubai, Eccleshill United manager, Sean Regan has been working hard to choose his next captain.

Flaherty has played a crucial role in the clubs history, from being part of the 2014 West Riding County Cup win to last seasons incredible promotion campaign and has been a leader both on and off the pitch.

The central midfielder has proven himself to be one of the NCEL's most respected and talented performers on a consistent basis and he will now be given the opportunity to lead the club that he has given so many years too.

Flaherty spoke exclusively to the Eccleshill United media team about being given the opportunity to wear the armband.

He stated; "It's an honour to captain any club. You go into any game looking to do your best and if you're looked at to be the leader then obviously you have to have a strong mindset and personally, I think that I've got that. I always look to try and do my best and lead by example, I always have done prior to being given the captaincy and I don't think I will change my game much at all, I'll just have an armband on. I think we've got 11 captains out there anyway it's just being a strong voice out there. Your team look at you to be a vocal point and it's pleasing for me and obviously, I will try to do the best I can for the club."

Flaherty takes over the role from Sam Bradley and the new captain spoke about the defender and what he brought to the club during his time here, having plenty of praise for the centre half.

"Brados was class for us whilst he was here, not only on the pitch but in the changing room as well. I know he loves himself so he is probably going to love this but all the lads are going to miss him, but at the end of the day when the opportunity comes up, which doesn't come very often, you can't turn something like that down. But we have to focus on Eccleshill now and what we can achieve this season and Brados will always be a part of that, I can guarantee he will be the first on the group chat after each game so he is a massive loss, but I think we have got payers who can come in and fill spots in all positions."

Finally, Flaherty spoke about the importance of providing advice and encouragement to younger members of the squad during his time as captain.

"Obviously, I think I am one of the oldest in the team, I am only 29 by the way, but the likes of Ryan (Hargreaves) and Jake (Thompson), I always tend to talk to them and give them a little bit of advice from what I have taken on. I know Coops (Andy Cooper) isn't much older than me but I have been playing alongside him for a while and you pick up a lot from people that you learn from and he has been one of them for me. Hopefully, I can do that and lead the team onto big things, not only in the league but in the cup as well," Flaherty confidently stated.