Craig McFarlane has been named as Whitley’s club captain for the coming season. The popular defender, one of Whitley’s triple FA Vase winners, has spent the great majority of his playing career at Hillheads and made his 350th appearance for the club towards the end of last season.
Now aged 31, ‘Macca’ was clearly thrilled to be named club captain. “It was a nice surprise, a great honour obviously. I’ve been with the club many years now. I had a spell away for a season or two but having come back it’s felt like I’ve never been away and obviously Nathan’s got faith in me to lead the lads for the coming season and hopefully I can help drive the club and the team to be successful this year and win a bit of silverware.
The 2018/19 Player’s Player of the Season added “It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to be captain. There’s not many lads at the club now that are in and around my age. There are a lot of 18 to 20 year olds who are still learning the game. I’ve been there and done it, so I think having me around with that experience and a little bit of know-how will hopefully rub off on the younger lads. They’ve taken it well, they’ve listened and been quite respectful and I couldn’t ask for any more.
“I’ve had the captain’s arm band for the odd game or two in the past but I’ve never been made official captain so I’m over the moon to be leading the club forward. I’m getting on a bit now so there’d be nothing better than leading Whitley Bay to a cup win or maybe the league title. That’s the objective, to be lifting some silverware at the end of the season!”
