Sunderland have named their new captain ahead of their League One campaign starting Saturday against Charlton Athletic.
Sunderland have had a long summer of pre-season preparations ahead of life in League One with a demanding schedule full of games as well as a hectic transfer window.
However, only a few days remain before the Black Cats begin life in the third tier for the first time in 30 years, when they kick off at the Stadium of Light against Charlton Athletic.
Sunderland manager Jack Ross has named his captain for the new season, with George Honeyman taking the armband, and Black Cats fans have taken to social media to react to the news.
Honeyman made his first-team debut for Sunderland in 2015, but properly caught the eye of the Black Cats faithful only last season, despite the Wearsiders eventual relegation from the Championship.
The North-East born man is now a fan favourite with the Black Cats, and not only is this down to his desire and commitment to the club, but also because of his family ties, having been a Sunderland fan since an early age.
The 23-year-old played in 42 of Sunderland’s Championship games last term and scored six goals, something that may have influenced Ross’s decision when choosing his skipper.
Sunderland’s Scottish manager was not short of options in his decision of who would take the armband, with former captain Lee Cattermole an obvious contender being a senior squad member.
New central defensive signings Glenn Loovens and Jack Baldwin would have also been considered, having both captained their previous clubs at different stages.
However, after picking up the armband in pre-season, Honeyman will be the man that Ross hopes will lift the League One trophy come the end of the season, with Sunderland hoping to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Here is the best of the reaction to the news…
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