Ben Austin has vowed to lead by example after being named as Eastbourne Borough’s new captain.

The 33-year-old defender takes over the armband from Paul Armstrong, who was released at the end of last season.

A host of players have auditioned for the role during pre-season but Austin got the nod ahead of the likes of Dan Brown, Matt Langston and Gary Elphick. Brown has filled in regularly as captain before while Langston and Elphick were skippers at their previous clubs.

Austin, who joined Borough ten years ago and has played more than 400 games for the club, said: “It is nice after being at the club so long to be given the responsibility and I will do my best. Ten years is a long audition and perhaps I should be insulted it has taken so long!

“But we have had a lot of players over the years who have had more experience than me and were rightly given the captaincy ahead of me. Hopefully now I have got that experience to help bring on the young players at the club.

“If Garry (Wilson, manager) and Nick (Greenwood, head coach) had thought someone else was a better choice then I would have gone along with it but it is always nice to be asked to be captain.

“I would like to think I lead by example. I won’t change too much but I hope the way I play on the pitch and act off it will encourage other people.

“I am not really one for sreaming and shouting. Sometimes it is too easy to have a go when things go wrong but I prefer to put my arm round someone’s shoulder and gee them up.”

Austin stood in as captain at the end of last season with Armstrong ruled out through injury as Borough won four of their last six games to avoid relegation from Blue Square Bet premier on the final day.

He will resume in the role in the opening game at Tamworth on Saturday, with Elphick named as vice captain.

Greenwood said: “Ben has been with us a long time and commands the respect of the dressing room.

“He has had his injury problems in the past so we wanted to make sure he was fit first but once he had proved he was then it wasn’t a difficult decision.”

Meanwhile, striker Andy Atkin could miss the trip to Tamworth after picking up an ankle injury playing for the reserves on Saturday.