Greg Docherty has been confirmed as Nathan Jones' club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The 27-year-old, who has worn the armband for much of pre-season, spoke of his pride at being chosen to lead the team on a permanent basis.
“It’s a huge honour - I think that goes without saying,” said the summer signing. “To be tasked with being the captain of this club in the stage we’re at and where we want to get to, it’s a real, real privilege. It's a real proud moment for me personally and also for my family as well.
“When I told them, I could tell just how happy they were. They know just how much this would mean to me, and it’s something that I’ve probably been craving for a while. It’s something that I’ve wanted, I’ve been striving for, and it’s just come at the right time in my career.”
Docherty explained what Jones expects of him: “To be a leader, but leadership can have many avenues and branches. First and foremost, on the pitch, to lead by example. To go and drive this team forward, to be helpful to my teammates, to speak up in meetings, to just make sure that as a team and as a squad we deliver what this club needs, and to the values that this club has.”
The midfielder also outlined what he believes he will bring as captain. “I like to lead by example,” he explained. “If games aren’t going so well, I like to take the game by the scruff of the neck. I like to be involved, but I’m also vocal. I like to get my point across. I feel like I’m fair.
“I’m also a good listener, and I get on with everyone, and that’s something that I’ve always prided myself on. In football, people come from all different backgrounds and different friendships, and I feel like I’ve managed to slot into every single one I’ve been in. In every club I’ve made really good friends. I’m proud of that, and I feel like I can definitely do that here as well.”
Tuesday’s Family Fun Day at The Valley offered Docherty the first chance to meet Charlton supporters.
“I loved it,” he said. “It's the first time I’ve been at The Valley since I’ve been a Charlton player as well. It was great to meet them and get a feel for them. They’re not shy in telling you their expectations, and it’s great. I had this news in the back of my head before that, and speaking to them and listening to them and how much the club means to them and how much this club represents them - it means that we want to represent them. That’s first and foremost - we want to go out on the pitch on a Saturday and represent those people that pay their money and support the club.
“There were people there from all ages. People were telling me stories about the old Wembley and Alan Curbishley, other people were telling me stories from last season and their favourite memories, so it’s a real array of fans from all different age groups. It’s great. It’s such a fantastic club - a real community club - and, again, it makes me even prouder to be able to lead this club.”
Saturday offers Docherty the first chance to play at his new home, when the Addicks host Portsmouth in their final pre-season friendly.
“I’m buzzing,” said the Scot. “You’re sitting having a quiet moment and then you think about walking out at The Valley. It’s only a pre-season friendly this one, but when the season starts and it’s up and running, to walk out and hear the roar - I’ve done it a couple times as an away player but to do it as a home player, it’s something that I’m really, really excited about.
“It’s such a fantastic stadium, steeped in history. There have been so many good captains that have led this club, and now I’m tasked as the next one. It’s something that I’m really looking to grasp with both hands.”
A week after that is Charlton’s first game of the 2024/25 season - a trip to Wigan Athletic - and Docherty cannot wait to get started.
“I’m massively excited,” he said. “Pre-season seems never-ending, but now all of a sudden we can see the final hurdle this weekend. It’s about getting through that, that’s what we all want to do. We want to get through that, we want to have a healthy squad come Monday and building up to Wigan.
“It’s going to be a really tough start - Wigan play some really good football, they’ve got high expectations in this league. This year it is going to be extremely cut-throat, extremely difficult. But we believe in what we’ve been working on, we believe we can be more than a match for teams in this league.
“We’ve got high expectations of ourselves first and foremost, and we really want to get this club fighting at the right end of the table.”
It's time. Be there. Click here to purchase your 2024/25 season ticket.
