BILLERICAY Town’s new captain Jack Giddens has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by manager Craig Edwards and push the team on to success next season.

Goalkeeper Giddens, 24, was handed the captaincy last week by Edwards having impressing after just one season at New Lodge.

Following the eight-month suspension of last season’s skipper Frank Curley and the departure of vice-captain George Beavan to Tonbridge Angels, Giddens says the team need leaders on the pitch and he hopes to help the team on to greater things next term.

“I’m really pleased to be named captain,” said the former Tilbury stopper. “I spoke to the gaffer and he said he thought I was good option and I felt it was a role that suited me down to the ground.

“I am looking forward to walking out with the armband on. I was captain in the last game against Wingate & Finchley and it goes to show how much the gaffer must think I can bring to the team on and off the pitch.

“I have only been here one season but have impressed enough to get this role and I want to prove it was the right decision.

“We fell short of the play-offs last year and that is the target again this time. We want to try and win but a top five spot is important.”

Giddens has seen key players from last term depart in recent weeks, with Beavan, Glenn Poole and Jordan Cox leave the club.

But he says he has faith that Edwards will bring in the right players to fill in the void, having built the current crop from scratch after a number of exits last summer.

“The boys that have left are top notch and it is a blow but I have faith in what the manager wants to do,” he said. “He only retained two players the season before and he recruits well and we trust the right guys will come in.

“Now I just want to get back into it. It is nice to have a bit of the break but I am excited to get started.”