Helston Athletic have confirmed that Joshua Storey will take the captain's armband for the upcoming 2022/23 season. 

The 20-year-old defender takes over the role from central midfielder Matty Bye who despite not being captain will be staying at the club. 

Speaking to the Packet Helston's manager Matt Cusack admitted making the appointment was something he had wanted to do shortly after his arrival, he said: "You can have many leaders in a team, it doesn't have to be the guy with the armband.

"When I first spoke with Mass I said I wanted to make Josh the captain and he said 'we are already doing it!' We were aligned with our thinking there. Josh is really keen, he has been leading on and off the pitch already. 

"I think it is a good choice and a popular choice as well. He is well respected by the players in the changing room. It seems that we are shaping a really good environment, the players are buying into the ideas. They are working really hard on the training ground, we can't wait to get going."

The Manager also added that he has managed to keep Bye at the club, who is a major asset to Athletic in the middle of the park: "Matty Bye had a tempting offer from Barnstaple. I have managed to keep him, I went and presented to players at Cornwall FA headquarters the other week. I presented the vision of what we are trying to do and the project if you will. 

"I think he has stayed off the back of that. We are delighted with that, it has added clarity to his head but also it's almost like having a new player because he has come back refreshed and rejuvenated you can see he is enjoying it on the training ground."

Helston's first pre-season friendly is away to Okehampton on Friday, July 8.