Long-serving defender to succeed out going Abdul Osman as skipper

Last season’s overwhelming choice for Player-of-the-Season Matt Tootle will carry on as captain of his beloved Crewe Alexandra.

Tootle was an ideal choice to stand-in for Abdul Osman whenever the combative midfielder lost his place or was injured last season. With Osman moving on in the summer, Tootle is the perfect successor after leading by example last season and helping us escape the drop on the final day.

Tootle’s natural progression into a real leader on-and-off the pitch follows in the footsteps of fellow young players Ashley Westwood and Luke Murphy, who saw an improvement in their consistently when handed the armband in the past.

Manager Steve Davis told crewealex.net: “Toots will carry on after Abdul. He is the stand out candidate and showed what being captain meant to him last season.

“There are others like Duggy, Granty or Harry who can be leaders and we need more of them.

“I think Toots having the armband gave him a lift. It has in the past with Westy and Murph and I think it had happened again with Matt last season.

“He has come through the Academy and knows the club. He has that passion and loves the club. He wants the club to be a success and he always works hard and sets the example.

The boss added: “If I had 11 like Tootle every week then we would be fine.”