LEICESTER boss Stewart Dickson has handed Kyle Howarth the captain’s armband.
Howarth, 27, has made the switch to the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena for the new season and takes over the role vacated by Scott Nicholls.
Dickson believes Howarth fits the bill perfectly for the Watling JCB Lions.
He said: “When we knew Scott Nicholls wasn’t coming back for 2020, I was mindful that I needed to get someone who would be able to replace him in that job.
“I knew Kyle had done it at Sheffield and he’d also guested for us in 2019 and I was very happy what I saw there, not just on the track but off it with how he worked with the other riders.
“I feel he’s the obvious choice. I know Nick Morris has done it before at Swindon in the year Jason Doyle went to Somerset, but I just want to get him back to concentrating on his racing this year.
“Kyle, Dougy (Ryan Douglas) and Nick are all good pals and they’re all going to be based in Swindon, plus Kyle has ridden with Josh Bates and Ty Proctor before at Sheffield.
“He’s the right fit for me, and it won’t affect him on track like it can with other riders, so he’s the choice. I know he’s well respected and honest, and I’m sure he’ll do a good job.
“I haven’t lined the pits up yet for this year, but each rider’s position is always done on purpose. It’s not just done by riding order, because I like to mix up the youth and experience, it’s something we did in 2019 and I expect to do it again.”
Howarth says he’s relishing the prospect of linking up with Dickson.
He said: “It’s my first time working with Stewart, but I’ve done guest bookings before and really liked it, so obviously when I had the chance to work with him I took it with both hands.
“I know what type of manager he is, he wants to win and he wants trophies, and he always puts a winning team together, and I wanted to be part of that.
“A few weeks ago he rang me and asked if I wanted to be captain, I was delighted to accept and I’m looking forward to leading the team.
“We want to get the ball rolling early on, get some good wins home and away, and I think we should have a really good team atmosphere.”
