Nico Jones stands by to make history tonight when he becomes Oxford United’s youngest ever captain.
The 17-year-old centre-half will captain the U’s in the Leasing.com Trophy at Crawley Town joining an illustrious list of players who have captained the side at a young age.
Ron Atkinson was captain at 20, Les Taylor, who has helped oversee Nico’s development in the Academy, was a similar age and was replaced as captain by Billy Jeffrey in the 1970’s despite both only just being out of their teens. Shandon Baptiste wore the armband last season against Manchester City and now Jones will beat all of them by skippering the side at just 17.
Ron Atkinson was captain at 20, Les Taylor, who has helped oversee Nico’s development in the Academy, was a similar age and was replaced as captain by Billy Jeffrey in the 1970’s despite both only just being out of their teens. Shandon Baptiste wore the armband last season against Manchester City and now Jones will beat all of them by skippering the side at just 17.
“It’s a great honour” he told iFollow. “The Gaffer told me yesterday and it will be a really proud moment for me. I have worked hard in training this season and know the responsibility that comes with being captain so it’s a game I’m really looking forward to.”
“We think the world of Nico and it’s great that he will captain the side” Karl Robinson told us. “John Mousnho is going round telling everyone who will listen that he has been stripped of the captaincy and it has been given to a 17-year-old! But joking aside, when I mentioned the idea to Mous he was all in favour straight away and just told me I had to do it.
“Nico is still very young but he works at his game and wants to succeed. He turned down the chance of training with the Irish under 18s this week because he had an opportunity to be involved in the Crawley game and that deserves a reward, which is part of our thinking in making him captain. I am sure he will do really well.”
See interviews with Karl and Nico in iFollow right now.