Dean Furman has been named as the new Latics captain for the coming season. 23-year-old Furman was delighted with the appointment and said, “With Reuben leaving, there was a vacancy for the captaincy and I was delighted when the manager pulled me in and asked whether I would be captain. I told him I was delighted and would love to do the job. I have always tried help others and to get them playing to their best and that enthusiasm and drive is part of my game, with or without the armband. I won't be changing my game, though there is obviously added responsibility of being captain.”
“Reuben was a great captain and, in such a young squad, he was like an uncle figure who we could all speak to, something he was great at. I will carry on with how Reuben captained the side and hopefully add my own little touch. John Terry has captained Chelsea and England for almost all his career and he is a big character, great captain and leader of men. Barry Ferguson was also a great leader at Rangers and got everyone around him playing which is important. I am only young, but have played senior football for three or four seasons and have learned a lot from others and matured, both as a player and person. Obviously I will be taking that on board and, if I need help, I have others like Reuben who I am able to call.”