Dover’s new captain Mitch Brundle has already seen enough of the National League to know what he’s doing.

Brundle may only be 22 but he has previously helped Braintree battle towards the top of the National League and was a regular at this level for Gateshead last season.

He said: “I am delighted to be captain and it shows their faith in me, especially at the age of 22.

“I was captain as a youth player and under-21 level, so it something I will take in my stride and hopefully the boys will thrive off it and benefit off it.

“I am a very encouraging player on the pitch, if someone needs a kick or a pat on the back that is what I will do. I am quite good at judging characters so I am sure that will work in my favour when the season starts.

“The boys know my character I am quiet loud. We have a lot of characters and you can hear their voices. If you can hear voices on the pitch it makes everyone’s job much easier.”

Brundle is hoping to help Dover push on that extra but to make the play-offs this season, at the very least.

He said: “At this level, like was shown last year, you can fall short by just a point and that hurts.

“At Braintree we treated every game and every point like it counts and finished third. My experiences at this level is hopefully going to stand me in good stead to be a good captain for the boys.

“When I first heard I was being made captain I was over the moon.

“The manager has shown faith in me and I have to give something back now and make sure there are no slacks in the season. It has put pressure on me but that is something I will thrive off.”

Brundle believes the players manager Chris Kinnear has brought in this summer will all be giving their all.

He said: “You have to give everything and you have to finish a game like I did Saturday, where I could barely stand up, but you are not going to get any fitter or stronger if you treat the games like nothing.

“Anyone can get dropped and in training it will be a battle. It’s a new set of lads, everyone is hungry and anyone can get picked.

“Training has been good and we’re all getting pushed and put outside of our comfort zone. The characters he has brought in are winners rather than just people who are happy to play well, even if they lose 3-0. Every point pushes us towards the play-offs.”