DORCHESTER Town boss Phil Simkin has made Nathan Walker the Magpies’ new club captain following the departure of Mark Jermyn.

Simkin told Echosport he had “no hesitation” in making the central defender his skipper after Jermyn left for Poole Town last week.

Walker also captained Hamworthy United when Simkin was in charge at the County Ground before moving to the Avenue.

“Nathan is going to be club captain,” said Simkin. “He was in my mind if Jem was going to leave.

“He was captain for me at Hamworthy United when he was 19 and is ideally suited for it – I’m sure he will take to it well.

“Nathan is a big player for us, we’re building the side around him, and I have every faith in him to be a very good captain, on and off the pitch.”

He went on to add: “I had no hesitation in making him captain.

“He gives an awful lot to any club he is at and is a winner on the pitch.

“He always gives 100 per cent, players respect him, and I have every confidence in Nathan.

“You have to have the right personality and be able to deal with situations under stress, and I feel Nathan is the right man for the job.”

Jake Smeeton, who skippered the team in Jermyn’s absence last season, is Simkin’s vice-captain for the Magpies’ first campaign back in the Southern Premier League.

Meanwhile, as Simkin continues to add fresh faces to his squad, he has confirmed that his new club captain’s younger brother, Steve Walker, will be staying at the Avenue next term.

The Dorchester chief is also looking forward to overseeing the continued development of the club’s younger talent, with the likes of Dan Munday, Jack Twyford, Oakley Hanger and Sam Smith being retained.

However, as far as Simkin is aware, former AFC Bournemouth defender Ryan Case has moved on.