NEW Worcester City skipper Danny Jackman says his grandfather, who died last year, would have been proud to see him wear the captain’s armband.

The 33-year-old was handed the captaincy following the departure of Ellis Deeney and said it was a “great honour” to lead his home city out at AFC Fylde on Saturday.

As well as being born in Worcester, his grandfather Bill Jackman made 121 appearances for the club between 1947 and 1953 before going on to become part of the backroom team.

He died aged 91 after a short illness in May last year and is regarded as a legend among the City faithful.

Danny Jackman, who lives in Worcester and joined the Aggborough tenants in 2014, said: “It is a great honour to captain my hometown team and I can’t wait to lead the lads out on Saturday at home (against North Ferriby United), although ideally it would be in Worcester.

“I am absolutely over the moon. I have got a lot of family who live in Worcester and friends as well. My grandad passed away last year, so I know he would have been looking down and been well chuffed and really proud.”

The former Aston Villa trainee played more than 300 games in the Football League, with spells at Stockport County, Gillingham and Northampton Town.

But the experienced midfielder admitted it would take him time to feel settled in his new leadership role at the Vanarama National League North club, “It (being a captain) was something I always wanted to do but perhaps thought it was something I would not get to do until the end of my career,” he said.

“So I would obviously like to thank both gaffers for giving me the opportunity and hopefully I can repay them with good performances and good results.

“As captain, you probably do think a little bit more then you would do normally as you try to be a little bit more selfless. It is something I am going to grow into.

“I am 33 but we have got experienced players like Thommo (Wayne Thomas), Deon (Burton) and Hughesy (Lee Hughes), so I am going to be learning off guys like that.

“They are valuable assets to have around and keep me going in the right direction too.”

Joint-manager Carl Heeley, who sold Deeney to Tamworth after questioning his commitment to City’s cause, said he was delighted to make Jackman skipper.

“Danny has got the respect of everybody here,” Heeley said. “He is a lovely, placid lad, who is a top professional and a Worcester boy.

“When we asked him, ‘Would you like to be captain?’ he said, ‘It would be an absolute honour’.

“When it means that much to somebody, it is a good starting point.”