Dan Dolling: The Captain

Central captain Dan Dolling opens up about being a leader both on and off the field at Central and all the responsibilities that come with it.

Currently with numerous appearances for Central over the last 18 months, Dolling knows what it means and takes to be apart of Central. The young Cheshire lad explains that having the right lads in the dressing room makes it easier for him as Captain.

"Dealing with the lads is quite straightforward because they are willing to listen and understand how much focus and total devotion it takes to make a great team and continually wanting to push on and get better.”

“Knowing who my teammates are on a personal level has been the main factor towards bringing the best out of them each practise or matchday. At times I know who positively responds from a shout and at others I have to put my arm around both to emphasize the encouragement needed to keep going.”

The Captain then follows up with how he copes with the accountability of being examplenary during training and match days for Manchester Central players on a weekly basis. Emphasising on the importance of discipline and determination.

"From the first day I was given the arm band I came to accept that showing good conduct/discipline with maximum determination every time I wore any sort of Central uniform was required of the role. This helps players new and old to remember that we represent the football club before ourselves."

"This brings about a winner's mindset and shows how good an organisation Manchester Central is throughout the football we play but also the types of characters the club has that go out to earn every victory and through victory or defeat we proceed respectively."

While he is frequently the voice of reason and encouragement when it comes to the demands of football emotionally and psychologically for his team mates. Dan concludes on who he often reaches out towards for reassuring and motivational words.

“Paul McGuire is a clear reference for a personal that has corrected my errors whenever I might be experiencing a slope within my performance. I constantly want to improve, therefore feedback positive or negative I often seek.”

“I believe it's one of the main factors in order to be a better player. Throughout the season we all experience peaks and troughs therefore every football player needs to view things this way because it becomes much easier to help one's self to get on with trying to improve."

While fans and opponents throughout the league might know him for his pinpoint set pieces, his darting runs towards the goal or energy he often gives off to his teammates because he's never in lack of it.