Sunderland midfielder George Honeyman says being handed the Black Cats' captaincy is the "greatest privilege in the world".
The 24-year-old was given the armband by Jack Ross last summer ahead of their League One campaign.
The size of the honour was not wasted on the local-born Honeyman, who admits playing for a club of Sunderland's stature comes with certain responsibilities.
But he revealed he immediately accepted the offer - and has been impressed with what Ross has brought to the club since his arrival just over a year ago.
"I had been captain in our pre-season games but nothing had officially been said to me," Honeyman said.
"Then about a week or two before the season started, the manager pulled me into his office and asked me to be club captain.
"When he asked, I could not say 'yes' quick enough. To captain this football club is the greatest privilege in the world.
"I am very lucky to have the squad that I have got around me."
Sunderland narrowly missed out on their No 1 target of promotion in Ross' first season in charge.
But Honeyman credits the Scot for turning the squad around after successive relegations had left the club at a low point in their proud history.
"The manager has done a magnificent job, turning around the negative culture engulfing the place," he added.
"He and his staff have brought positivity from day one, as well as a drive to win - you can see how much the whole squad graft for them.
"We're absolutely delighted he is our manager and we want to win for him."
The Black Cats may be in the third tier of English football for a second season, but that does not mean the players operate away from the glare of the spotlight - far from it.
And while the pressures of playing for a club this size could be daunting for some, Honeyman prefers to focus on the positive aspects.
"I have grown up with this club and it is all I have ever known," he said. "When you see everyone involved and connected with the club, you realise that it is more than just that - it is people's livelihoods and that really means something.
"You feel extra pressure because you know how much it affects people's day-to-day lives and, when we get things right, this a really special football club.
"Doing that is all I have ever wanted."
