STEVE Wilkes has said a decision to appoint Joe Camozzi as Northwich Victoria’s captain following Brad Cooke’s departure is one of the easiest he’s made.

He called the full-back the morning after news broke that his teammate had left to take over as manager at relegated West Didsbury & Chorlton.

“I had to convince him at first that it wasn’t a joke Brad had left,” Wilkes told the Guardian.

“But as soon as I discovered he’d got the job I knew I didn’t need to consult anybody on what to do next.

“So I rang him straightaway.”

Camozzi, who turns 27 next week, wore the armband last season when Cooke wasn’t on the field.

He made more than 50 appearances for Vics in all competitions, almost all of them starts, following a transfer from then North West Counties League Premier Division rivals City of Liverpool.

“Joe has the full respect of the other players,” said Wilkes.

“He has experienced a lot in his career already and it’s a role he’s carried out at his previous clubs because he’s naturally good at it.”

Northwich players have begun their preparations for a new season already and play a first friendly of the summer at Llandudno this weekend.

They then make an altogether shorter journey, around the corner to Cheshire League Premier Division side Lostock Gralam, on Tuesday.