JOINT-manager Carl Heeley has put Worcester City’s turnaround in form down to the “magnificent” captaincy of Danny Jackman.

Since being handed the armband, the 33-year-old has led his side to successive victories over high-flying AFC Fylde (3-2) and North Ferriby United (2-0).

Although Jackman was substituted in both games, Heeley said the Worcester-born midfielder had been hugely influential on and off the pitch to help rally his troops.

“Danny has been a breath of fresh air,” said Heeley, who appointed Jackman skipper following the sale of Ellis Deeney to Tamworth.

“He is a laid-back lad but he has got everything about this football club in his heart, so he has been magnificent.

“It might be coincidental but I think he has played a massive part.”

Worcester’s players formed a huddle before kick-off and Heeley said this demonstrated his squad’s togetherness under Jackman’s leadership.

“It is something Matt and I have had no input into,” he said.

“The captain plays a part in it and the experienced players but everyone has to buy into it and it has to be seen as being beneficial, so if a huddle does the trick, let’s have a huddle.”

He added: “Jacko has always had the respect of Matt and I and all the staff and the players.

“It was just a progression for him and he has stepped into it and took it in his stride.

“We have beaten two of the best sides in the league in the last two games since he has been captain, so that is a reflection of how the boys feel about him.”

Heeley was elected onto the club’s board at their annual general meeting as he tries to help the Blue and Whites sort out their off-field problems.

And he admitted his side’s performances in recent weeks have given him plenty of reasons to be positive.

“It is very tough managing a club in exile,” Heeley said.

“There are lots of things going on behind the scenes and it is difficult to focus on the football.

“But this group of lads and all the staff have come together really tightly in the last two weeks and we have got this inner belief that we have to keep getting positive results on the pitch.

“Hopefully, we can get a little bit of luck off it because that’s what the club needs.

“But this group of lads can’t do any more than they are doing for this football club at the moment and this win is a reflection of a lot of hard work by a lot of people.”