Fleet’s newest 100-game veteran Dean Rance is expecting to hand back the skipper’s armband to Tom Bonner this weekend as he warns against “getting too far ahead of ourselves”.
In an interview for Saturday’s matchday programme, the 24-year-old former Gillingham and Dover midfielder spoke of his pride in wearing the captain’s armband on his 100th appearance for the club, a milestone he had no idea he was approaching.
And Rance, now in third place behind Joe Howe and Michael West in the Fleet appearances chart, also spoke of his delight at having played such a big part in this season’s campaign to date after what he admitted was the most frustrating period of his career in 2014/15. “But no leagues are won in January,” he cautioned, “and nothing changes on the pitch”.
His manager, and former teammate for the past four seasons at both Dover and Stonebridge Road, also spoke in glowing terms of the player’s form this season. “I’ve played with Dean for a number of years,” McMahon told FleetOnline. “I know the quality he’s got. He is a leader, he’s very, very competitive and a whole-hearted player. He likes winning and he demands off people – but he doesn’t ask anyone to do what he wouldn’t do himself. He’s had a terrific season and he’s improved immensely as well. His maturity in staying away from yellow cards where he can and his quality on the ball has improved so much as well.”
• Read the full interview with Dean Rance in the Truro City matchday programme.
