STEVE Cawley says he will lead ‘his own way’ after he was made Concord Rangers captain for the new season.

The 27-year-old started his fourth season as a Beach Boys player on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat at Wealdstone in the National League South.

Cawley was wearing the armband in the match, following his appointment by manager Adam Flanagan after the departure of former skipper James White.

And he says, while he won’t scream and shout like some, he has his own way of communicating.

“It is quality to be captain at this level,” said Cawley. “I was captain from the second game of pre-season and Flan said he would switch it around but he stuck with me. He was pleased with what I did.

“Everyone knows I am not the most vocal but I talk to the players in my own way. I will tell them something when it needs to be said and lead that way, although I need to become a bit more assertive.

“I’ll do it my own way.”

Cawley is now determined to move past Saturday’s defeat, with Hemel Hempstead Town the first visitors to the Aspect Arena this season tonight.

And he has called on the team to improve as a whole to stop Hemel’s potent attacking threat.

“It was the same story as last season,” he said. “We gave Wealdstone too many chances and they punished us.

“That said, we created some chances too and a draw may have been fair.

“We need to stay tighter and we need to learn.

“The whole of last year was tough, not just the start.

“Not winning in the opening nine games is not something we want to repeat and we need a quick reaction.

“Hemel are tough and they are excellent going forward.

“They have Ben Greenhalgh, who we know well, Jordan Parkes and Charlie Sheringham and have signed some other players as well.

“We need to stay tight at the back as we know we can create in forward areas. That is not only directed at the defence but we must tighten up as a team.

“We need to stop conceding silly goals, as both goals conceded at Wealdstone were avoidable.”

Concord had the lowest average attendance in the top two tiers of non-league last term.

And Cawley admits he would love to give the home supporters something to cheer, following just six home triumphs last term.

“The home ground must be a fortress and you need to be hard to beat,” he added.

“We don’t get many fans but, for the ones that stay loyal, we need to give them something to cheer about.

“Winning is as much for them as it is for us.”