Sam Corne intends to lead by example after being confirmed as Maidstone’s new skipper.

Several players wore the armband during pre-season but it’s midfielder Corne who’s got the nod from manager George Elokobi.

He steps up having been vice-captain to Gavin Hoyte last season.

“Over pre-season we all shared the armband and the gaffer had his reasons for that but it was nice to be named captain,” said Corne, 27.

“It’s a nice individual achievement but also it makes no difference to what I do on the pitch.

“Regardless of whether I have the armband or not, I like to help the boys out, organise, and try and lead with performances but it was definitely a nice feeling.

“I’m a talker, I like to gee the boys up as well as sometimes giving them a little kick up the bum.

“I don’t think it makes any difference to my game whether I’m captain or not but it’s a great accolade and I thrive off it really.”

Corne, starting his sixth season at Maidstone, is the club’s longest-serving player.

He was named both manager’s player and supporters’ player of the year last season after enjoying the best season of his career.

He reached double figures for goals and assists, including FA Cup winners against Stevenage and Ipswich.

“I feel like I’m in a good place at the minute,” said Corne.

“I know my game well and what I bring to the table.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s always room for improvement but if I can continue where I left off, I’ll be very happy.

“You want to play every game so your fitness levels need to be there.

“You want goals and assists and I want to do my defensive side.

“As long as we’re winning games and I can chip in with consistent performances, I’ll be happy.

“We want to get promotion and that’s going to be the aim from the get-go.”

Corne was surprised by the scale of the squad overhaul which saw 10 players released at the end of last season.

But the new faces have settled in well and the signs look good.

“I always think about this and you don’t know where you’re going to sit come the end of the season,” said Corne.

“But I think the recruitment’s been good, the boys as people have been good lads and that’s a massive factor because then you have that team spirit and that’s something we’ve hit off from the get-go.

“I think we look balanced in all areas.

“I don’t think there’s an area we look weak in.

“So going into the start of the season with that kind of look, it’s always a nice feeling.

“When the retained list came out there were a few shocks and I was shocked myself because you end up making friendships.

“To see some of them go I was disappointed, don’t get me wrong, but it’s football and you’ve got to try and improve in areas you feel you need to improve in.

“That’s not my job, that’s up to the management team to decide. My job is to worry about myself and the boys that come in to make them feel welcome and hopefully we get off to a flying start.”

Maidstone start the season at St Albans on Saturday (3pm), a team who did the double over them last season.

Elokobi’s men are out to set the record straight.

“We don’t know what teams look like at this moment in time but on paper it’s a tough fixture,” said Corne.

“Every game at the start of the season is always a tough fixture because everyone wants to have a great start.

“We’re going to go there with full positivity, we’ve had a good pre-season and we’re going to try and get off to a good start.”