Jonny Howson left Middlesbrough, leaving the captain’s armband vacant
Rob Edwards intends to rotate the captain’s armband at Middlesbrough this summer before deciding who the next club captain will be.
Jonny Howson has donned the armband since February 2021, when Neil Warnock demoted Britt Assombalonga. However, the 37-year-old has left the club this summer, leaving the armband vacant as Edwards prepares his team for the new season.
Aidan Morris was the surprise Boro captain for the first public friendly of the summer on Saturday against Mansfield. That was despite the fact that the starting lineup included former vice-captain Darragh Lenihan, as well as Luke Ayling and Hayden Hackney, all of whom had previously served as captain.
When asked about his captaincy ambitions, Edwards explained: “We’ll rotate it over the next few games. Dael and Darragh both had it in their last game in Portugal. So the plan is to move it around. H is a leader as well. I’ve spoken with a handful of those kind of boys and described how we’ll do it.
“For me, right now, I want to attempt to establish greater leadership throughout the group. I want to give them that responsibility and watch how they react once they have the armband on.
I felt Aidan responded admirably to that. “Don’t read too much into it because we’ll be sharing it over the next few weeks.” Ultimately, I hope to have 11 leaders out there every week.”
In addition to current squad members, Boro are close to signing Hull City’s Alfie Jones, an experienced Championship centre-back who has previously worn the armband at the MKM Stadium. Danny Ings, who is 33 today, could possibly join the Boro this summer following positive negotiations with the free-agent striker, bringing even more leadership to the squad.
The way in whitch Johny Howson was treat by Boro was disgracful, A real low for the club.
Kieron Dell Boy Scott let the team down, let the supporters down and let the club down once again. What is it with this cockney. We do not treat people so badly here on Teesside. I wish it was Kieron going, not Johny