Portland boss Stuart Heath’s decision to hand over the captaincy to Lloyd Cranny came as a “pleasant surprise” to the Blues’ defender.

Cranny was given the armband on a permanent basis last week despite the return to fitness of fellow defender, and now former club captain, Andy Perkins.

The new island skipper is no stranger to the role having stood in for Perkins after the latter broke his leg more than three months ago.

However, Cranny is still waiting to make his return from suspension – for his red card in the 3-2 Dorset Premier League Cup defeat at Hamworthy Recreation on November 21 – after seeing Saturday’s trip to Sherborne Town Reserves fall victim to the big freeze.

He said: “I’ve got one more game to serve so it’s annoying that we’ve had so many games called off, however, there’s nothing you can do about it.

“I should have completed the ban a couple of weeks ago but it’s been the same story for the likes of Liam Miles, Nick Carroll and Lewis Whyton.”

Asked for his feelings on being handed the role of skipper, Cranny added: “It was a pleasant surprise when I was told, especially with the likes of Andy Perkins and Lewis Whyton in the squad.”

Cranny, a major part of the Portland team that secured back-to-back Dorset Premier League titles last season, believes the current crop of United players can also become champions in the future.

He said: “The likes of Alex Godfrey, Joe Charles and Liam Greatrex have only just come up into men’s football and it’s a big step. But they’ve been doing well and the team is bonding. We’ve added a few more experienced players in recent weeks and the manager has said that in a couple of years we’ll be challenging for the title again.

“We’re still a young side but the team is playing well. Hopefully we’ll start climbing the table and pick up some good results once we actually get playing again.”

Cranny also revealed that while a host of last term’s squad swapped Grove Corner for Weymouth College – home of rivals Chickerell United – he was never tempted to follow suit.

He added: “Having been at the club since is was 14 or 15 I was keen to stay. The facilities here are great so I was never tempted to leave.

“I was happy with what the management wanted to do and hopefully we’ll be challenging for the title again soon.”