Leading From the Back

Luke, who is approaching 300 career appearances for the Pilgrims, succeeded former skipper Curtis Nelson on the eve of the new 2016-17 season and said: “It’s a huge honour. 

“I’ve been at this club since I was a child and I’m 33 next week so I’m very pleased to have committed myself to club for a longer stay, and to get the captaincy was the icing on the cake. 

“I’m grateful for the manager to have that sort of faith in me and I hope, over the course of the season, I will be able to repay with performances and with the leadership he has entrusted in me.” 

The new captain sees his role as being as much about responsibilities away from the match, as within it. 

“There is so much more to being a captain than the 90 minutes on a Saturday or a Tuesday,” he said. “Off the field; in the dressing-room. 

"Being an older player in the dressing-room, maybe I’m looked upon a little bit as the one who has to set the standards; to get on to people sometimes; to know when someone is having a bit of tough time. 

“I have a good relationship with the lads, so maybe that’s why the gaffer thought I’d be good at the job.”