Whitehaven have named another West Cumbrian as skipper for the coming season in the Betfred Championship.
Head coach Jonty Gorley has selected Karl Dixon as club captain, taking over from Marc Shackley who retired at the end of last season due to a knee injury.
Former Workington Town and Scotland hooker/scrum-half Callum Phillips will remain in his role as Vice-Captain.
Dixon, a former Wath Brow stand-off and BARLA international said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to be asked to captain my home town team.
“I was captain for a chunk of the season last season when Shacks was injured and really enjoyed it. Hopefully, we have as much success as last year if not better. It’s really a big thanks to Jonty and the staff for picking me and hopefully I can do them proud!
“It’s going to be a tough season with the quality everyone’s brought in but we’ve signed very well and I think we’ve got the squad to really compete this year.”
Easy choice for Jonty Gorley
Head coach Gorley said: “The decision to make Karl my captain this season was quite an easy choice to make if I’m being honest. Karl is a natural leader, both by example and by the way he is around the other lads, at training and on game days.
“Karl stood in last year when we lost some experience with Shacks, Gregg and Callum missing for quite a few games and he took to the role no problem.
“He has taken to the professional game like I knew he would and I haven’t a problem with him leading my team this year.
“I’m looking for the captain, vice-captain and a senior group, along with some of the other experienced lads in the squad, to help support me and my coaching staff drive standards at the club to make sure we’re going in the right direction on and off the field.”
Phillips, who joined the club for the 2018 season and will be moving into his fifth season in the Chocolate, Blue and Gold, will remain in his role as Vice-Captain.
He said: “It’s an honour to be named vice caption again. I think Dicko (Karl Dixon) is a great shout for captain and I’m looking forward to having that partnership with him.
“We all know it’s going to be a tough season but I feel like Jonty is putting everything in place for it to be a successful one and I’m looking forward to it.”
About the continuation of Phillips as vice-captain Gorley said: “Callum is one of our senior players with plenty of experience of playing in the championship and at international level, so he is perfect as vice-captain and to help support Karl as captain.
“The way Callum plays the game really helps me as a coach and he plays well above his weight, leads by example and always give 110%, both at training and in games.
“Like Karl, Callum will help us drive standards, especially at training where Callum never cuts corners and doesn’t let anyone else either.
“He is a great pro who trains really hard and I’d like the other lads to follow his lead and not give anything less than maximum effort. Callum will help make this happen.”
