Rhys Fussell is proud and delighted to be appointed new captain of Ashford Rugby Club.

The 24-year-old Welsh-born winger takes over from Adam Knight –the youngest skipper in the club’s history – who has stepped down having led the side to promotion to London South East 2 last year.

Fussell, a PE teacher at Brockhill Park college in Hythe, is one half of a new captain-coach combination at Kinneys Field, following the appointment of South African Darren Hall.

He said: “I put myself forward to do it and am looking forward to the new challenge,”

“I have been at the club since I was 11, I’m passionate about the game, love pulling on the Ashford shirt and going out every week playing with my mates.

“I skippered at youth level but it’s the first time in senior rugby. I want to help take the club higher and feel I can lead them there.”

He added: “Last season was tough but we stayed in the league.

“We will look at all the other sides we will come up against this season and I am looking for a top-end finish – if not win it – and a strong run in the cup.” Hall met his new charges at the first training session last Thursday and Fussell said: “He is organised, explained what he wants and says we are the boys who can deliver.”

Injuries hampered Ashford’s progress last season. Knight’s brother Ben will miss the first half of the season recovering from a knee operation, while kicker Gary Croxton hopes to return after missing the whole of the season with a serious knee injury.