Post by Macmoish on Sept 26, 2011 7:15:39 GMT
Good luck to him 
Plymouth Herald
Simon Walton is new captain of Plymouth Argyle .Monday,
SIMON WALTON has put a chequered past with Plymouth Argyle behind him to become their new captain.
The 24-year-old led out the Pilgrims for the first time when they beat Macclesfield Town 2-0 at Home Park on Saturday.
.Walton took over as captain from new caretaker manager Carl Fletcher, who was starting a three-match suspension.
The midfielder described it as “a massive honour” to be given the responsibility by Fletcher.
Walton is now in his fourth season at Argyle but, for a variety of reasons, he has played only 34 times for them.
He blotted his copybook in 2008/09 when he was sent-off for stamping on an opponent in an away game against Barnsley.
And a particularly poor display when the Pilgrims lost away to Charlton Athletic in February 2009 led to a long absence from the first team.
His squad number was switched from 4 to 30 by former manager Paul Sturrock at the start of the following season.
It was clear he had not figured in Sturrock’s plans and Walton spent most of that campaign on loan to Crewe Alexandra.
Walton moved to Sheffield United on what should have been a season-long loan in the summer of 2010, only to suffer a serious knee injury.
On his recovery from cruciate ligament damage, he finally returned to action for Argyle towards the end of last term.
Walton has featured regularly for the Pilgrims this term.
But when he was substituted before half-time by former manager Peter Reid in the 2-0 home defeat by Port Vale on September 10, he angrily pulled off his shirt as he walked off the pitch.
Only a fortnight later, he was the winning captain as Argyle tasted success for the first time this season.
Walton told Herald Sport: “It was an unbelievable day all around.
“I was really grateful to be given a chance to captain the team. But I thought there were 11 captains out there today.
“Everyone was brilliant, and it’s only an armband at the end of the day.
“I felt I had 10 captains with me. It was brilliant, and I’m proud of everybody,” added the former Queens Park Rangers midfielder.
Walton admitted his path to becoming Argyle’s captain had not been an orthodox one.
But, based on his performance against Macclesfield, he seems ready to take on the responsibility the role brings.
Walton said: “If you had told any Plymouth fan two or three years ago I would be captain they would probably have laughed in your face.
“But football does funny things to you, and it throws up little hurdles here and there.
“You take it as it comes and, like I say, to be given the chance to be captain was a massive honour.
“I found out about it early in the week. As soon as he (Fletcher) took over I knew.
“I’m really grateful to be given the chance and it’s my turn to pay back the trust and faith in me.”
Walton thought the appointment of Fletcher as caretaker boss, assisted by goalkeeper Romain Larrieu as first team coach, had lifted the players.
He said: “We all know what Fletch and Ro are about, and it makes it a lot easier. There was a bit of excitement around the place this week.
“Without being negative about the people who have been here before, I think it gave everybody a little lift.
“You saw it out there today. Every single one of the lads would have died for each other. I’m sure Fletch and Ro are as proud of all the players as I am.”
Striker Warren Feeney headed Argyle into the lead in the first half, before left-back Robbie Williams scored with a spectacular free-kick in the 53rd minute.
Walton said: “It was nice to get the first goal. We had something to hold onto, and we did it valiantly. Then Willo has miskicked one in the top corner!
“As good as the two goals were, the clean sheet was just as pleasing for everybody. You score as a team and defend as a team.
“I don’t think you could have asked for a better team performance.”
Argyle had not won a match, or kept a clean sheet, since their 1-0 defeat of MK Dons at Home Park in April.
Their defensive record this season, prior to Saturday, was 19 goals conceded in nine league games.
Walton said: “It’s there for everybody to see, we have let in some horrendous goals. You could put one of those Christmas DVDs together with some of them.
“Today, I was proud of everybody. We kept a clean together, right from Feeno at the front to Jake (goalkeeper Jake Cole), and we scored as a team as well.
“The camaraderie and the togetherness of the lads, I can’t put it into words what it’s like, and I think it showed today.
“It’s one step on a hell of a long road.”
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Simon-Walton-new-captain-Plymouth-Argyle/story-13404386-detail/story.html
Plymouth Herald
Simon Walton is new captain of Plymouth Argyle .Monday,
SIMON WALTON has put a chequered past with Plymouth Argyle behind him to become their new captain.
The 24-year-old led out the Pilgrims for the first time when they beat Macclesfield Town 2-0 at Home Park on Saturday.
.Walton took over as captain from new caretaker manager Carl Fletcher, who was starting a three-match suspension.
The midfielder described it as “a massive honour” to be given the responsibility by Fletcher.
Walton is now in his fourth season at Argyle but, for a variety of reasons, he has played only 34 times for them.
He blotted his copybook in 2008/09 when he was sent-off for stamping on an opponent in an away game against Barnsley.
And a particularly poor display when the Pilgrims lost away to Charlton Athletic in February 2009 led to a long absence from the first team.
His squad number was switched from 4 to 30 by former manager Paul Sturrock at the start of the following season.
It was clear he had not figured in Sturrock’s plans and Walton spent most of that campaign on loan to Crewe Alexandra.
Walton moved to Sheffield United on what should have been a season-long loan in the summer of 2010, only to suffer a serious knee injury.
On his recovery from cruciate ligament damage, he finally returned to action for Argyle towards the end of last term.
Walton has featured regularly for the Pilgrims this term.
But when he was substituted before half-time by former manager Peter Reid in the 2-0 home defeat by Port Vale on September 10, he angrily pulled off his shirt as he walked off the pitch.
Only a fortnight later, he was the winning captain as Argyle tasted success for the first time this season.
Walton told Herald Sport: “It was an unbelievable day all around.
“I was really grateful to be given a chance to captain the team. But I thought there were 11 captains out there today.
“Everyone was brilliant, and it’s only an armband at the end of the day.
“I felt I had 10 captains with me. It was brilliant, and I’m proud of everybody,” added the former Queens Park Rangers midfielder.
Walton admitted his path to becoming Argyle’s captain had not been an orthodox one.
But, based on his performance against Macclesfield, he seems ready to take on the responsibility the role brings.
Walton said: “If you had told any Plymouth fan two or three years ago I would be captain they would probably have laughed in your face.
“But football does funny things to you, and it throws up little hurdles here and there.
“You take it as it comes and, like I say, to be given the chance to be captain was a massive honour.
“I found out about it early in the week. As soon as he (Fletcher) took over I knew.
“I’m really grateful to be given the chance and it’s my turn to pay back the trust and faith in me.”
Walton thought the appointment of Fletcher as caretaker boss, assisted by goalkeeper Romain Larrieu as first team coach, had lifted the players.
He said: “We all know what Fletch and Ro are about, and it makes it a lot easier. There was a bit of excitement around the place this week.
“Without being negative about the people who have been here before, I think it gave everybody a little lift.
“You saw it out there today. Every single one of the lads would have died for each other. I’m sure Fletch and Ro are as proud of all the players as I am.”
Striker Warren Feeney headed Argyle into the lead in the first half, before left-back Robbie Williams scored with a spectacular free-kick in the 53rd minute.
Walton said: “It was nice to get the first goal. We had something to hold onto, and we did it valiantly. Then Willo has miskicked one in the top corner!
“As good as the two goals were, the clean sheet was just as pleasing for everybody. You score as a team and defend as a team.
“I don’t think you could have asked for a better team performance.”
Argyle had not won a match, or kept a clean sheet, since their 1-0 defeat of MK Dons at Home Park in April.
Their defensive record this season, prior to Saturday, was 19 goals conceded in nine league games.
Walton said: “It’s there for everybody to see, we have let in some horrendous goals. You could put one of those Christmas DVDs together with some of them.
“Today, I was proud of everybody. We kept a clean together, right from Feeno at the front to Jake (goalkeeper Jake Cole), and we scored as a team as well.
“The camaraderie and the togetherness of the lads, I can’t put it into words what it’s like, and I think it showed today.
“It’s one step on a hell of a long road.”
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Simon-Walton-new-captain-Plymouth-Argyle/story-13404386-detail/story.html