Ryan Hanson admits that being appointed Dover Athletic captain came with mixed emotions.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been named by manager Andy Hessenthaler as the man to succeed Sam Wood after the left-back left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Hanson said: It’s an absolute incredible honour to be asked to lead this great club, one that I’ve supported since I was a child growing up in the town, but I am gutted Woody has left.

“He was such a big influence on and off the pitch – he will really be missed, but the decision he’s made was right for him and his family.

“Woody has had a fantastic playing career and when you are young like me, you cannot help but learn from someone with his experience. It has been great playing alongside him these past two seasons and I wish him all the very best for the future.”

As for being named captain, the former Dover Boys Grammar School student, who signed permanently for us in July 2021 after playing seven times while on loan from then League One side Hull City last season, said it was hard to explain what it meant to him.

He said: “It’s an honour to just play for my hometown club and proudly wear the shirt, so being made captain is, well, unbelievable.

“It’s a huge responsibility, but one I am determined to do by leading by example and giving it my all in every game.

“We’ve had a tough season – everyone knows that, but I want to play my part in helping this group of players to deliver each game for everyone who supports our club.

“We all know what a challenge we are facing on the pitch in this final stretch of the season, but we need to stick together and, as a team, lift each other up.

“If things aren’t going our way, we need to keep fighting no matter what happens – we’ve all got to show pride in the shirt.”