George Ray believes that being handed the responsibility of the club captaincy has made him a better player. The Alex defender has successfully returned to his best form after suffering a frustrating time with a back and hip injury.

He made an impressive return in the last dozen games of last season to help the team finish strongly.

Ray has now been one of the club’s most consistent performers this season and the centre-half says that he has really embraced wearing the armband. 

Ray told the club’s official website: “When I first got the captaincy it was a great honour but you are a little unsure how to be but I just thought I would embrace it.

“I think I’ve done that and it is still important for me to speak to the older players here and get their input. They have a lot of experience and it helps me.

“The captaincy role all depends on the player. There are some who react to a telling off and there are others that need an arm around them and some encouragement. It is about working the individual player out and when you do it is easier.

“It is a good group of lads here and I feel we have a strong team and a strong squad. It is a tight knit group and we want to do the best we can and move up the table.”