Manager Shaun Antrobus has appointed his leadership team for the new season with centre half Lewis Tudor handed the captain’s armband. Tudor takes over from the recently departed Ste Orsler and has landed the role having impressed the new manager in training. Tudor finished the end of last season as one of Dave Roberts’ vice-captains and has had some experience leading the Yellers in the months before lockdown. Tudor is an important member of our team and will hope to continue his development at the Estadio de Mark Lopez. Despite interest from Tier 3 clubs, Tudor committed to us early on and now has the opportunity to show and develop his leadership skills under a new manager.

Tudor will be supported by three new vice-captains in Jack Neal (Macca), Mark Weir and Terry Pughe. Macca has been at New Brighton for the past three seasons and was an instrumental part of our cup run in 2017/18. That year he claimed the Players’ Player of the Year Award and will bring lots of experience to the role from centre midfield. Mark has recently joined us from CPD Sychdyn, where he was club captain and one of Shaun’s trusted players over the years. He brings plenty of experience and leadership to the role and will also be occupying the role of club captain, replacing chairman Leigh Griffiths in the role. He encompasses similar qualities that Leigh brought to the role and we look forward to working with him behind-the-scenes as we look to progress as a football club. Terry was a huge addition for us this summer and Antrobus has put his faith in the striker as one of his vice-captains. Terry has lots of experience at some top clubs and will be a great addition to our young squad.

Manager Shaun Antrobus had the following to say on his new appointments, “I'm delighted to have Tudor on board as first team captain. Once Ste decided to pursue another challenge, it was important we appointed the right person who embodies the qualities you'd want from a captain. Tudor was vice-captain towards the end of last season and having spoken to my assistant Liam, we decided it was a no-brainer to hand him that responsibility going forward. I've been impressed with his work in training and look forward to seeing him develop in the role. With Tudor being new to the role at a relatively young age it was important to have experience supporting him and Macca, Merv and Tez bring that in abundance. It provides a nice balance of both old and new as we prepare for the new season."

Tudor was delighted with his appointment as first team captain and said, “I’m proud to have been made captain of New Brighton Villa. It’s a responsibility I’m happy to accept and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead with new lads coming in and the lads from last season. There’s a lot of quality in the side and I’m thankful to the staff for selecting me to lead this good group of lads."

The new leadership team provides a balance of the previous NBV regime and new additions brought in by Shaun, and we look forward to seeing that blend develop on the pitch when the new season starts. The early signs in training have been positive and represent a huge step forward for the football club. Everyone at New Brighton Villa Football Club wishes Tudor, Macca, Mark and Terry all the best in their new roles. #UTFY