Redman, who has enjoyed a long association with the club having risen through the junior ranks, has been handed the extra responsibilty by first team coach Mal Chumbley.

Unfortunately his reign didn’t get off to the best of starts as they were beaten soundly in Pulborough last week but the blindside flanker is confident of more successful times ahead.

Redman was still sporting the battle scars following a tough opening encounter. He said, “We are in reflective mood after Pulborough and we will work hard to put things right.

“We have a great match against Lewes to focus on and if we are at our best then we can be hopeful of a positive result.

Of the captaincy he said, “It means an awful lot to me to be captain this season.

“I came through the junior section and then played under some great captains for the firsts and to step up again and represent the club is a real honour.”

Redman plans to use the role to help the club from the minis all the way to the first team.

He added, “I look at it as an overall club role. I want to be involved with the minis and the juniors and bring the club and team forward to a good future hopefully.”

For this season however, Redman pointed out the threat posed by Crawley and Pulborough and believes promotion back to London South East three will be hard earned.

“Crawley seem to have got it together this season and judging by last week, Pulborough are very strong.

“It’s a tough league this season with lots of local rivalry. Almost every game is a local derby but if our performances are good then hopefully we can be up there challenging.”

Chairman Fraser Brooks added, “Tom will be a superb skipper this year. He’s not the headbutting changing room walls type of character, he offers a much more considered approach. I’m sure he will do a great job and just from listening to his interview, it sounds like we have a future chairman too.”