Georgie Kelly admits he was incredibly proud to lead Carlisle United during the opening weeks of the new season.
Having been with the Blues since January 2024, Kelly was handed the captain's armband for the first time against Yeovil Town, with Callum Whelan skippering the side on the opening day against Worthing and club captain Morgan Feeney sidelined.
Kelly went on to lead the Blues against Yeovil Town, Hornchurch, Wealdstone and Scunthorpe United, taking on added responsibility alongside his role at the top of the attack.
For Kelly, the opportunity meant more than simply wearing the armband. Having spent more than two years in the city, he has developed a growing appreciation of what Carlisle United means to the people around it.
He said: "It was a really proud moment for me. I've been at the club for a while now, so to be given the opportunity to captain Carlisle for the first time was a really special feeling.
"It's something I didn't take lightly. You think about what the club means to the people here and the supporters, and you realise you're representing more than just yourself."
That connection to the city has grown during his time in Cumbria.
Away from Brunton Park, the striker has found his own favourite places around Carlisle, regularly walking through the city's green spaces.
It is a simple routine, but one that has given Kelly unexpected insight into the community he now calls home through speaking with locals about life and football on his walks.
For Kelly, those conversations have offered a different perspective on the club and its place within the city.
"The amount of people I know now, you see what the team means to people.
"You see how much of a football city Carlisle is when you're in the middle of it. You probably don't fully understand it unless you've lived here for a while."
That sense of community has made his first spell as captain particularly meaningful.
"It's a nice thing to represent them when you're putting on an armband as a captain. That was special and unique for me.
"You're not just representing the players. You're representing all those people who care about the club, and I've seen that more and more since I've been living here."
Kelly's time as captain also gave him the chance to embrace a role that extends beyond what he produces in front of goal.
“Obviously you've got to lead by example, but it's also about making sure everyone is together and that the standards are high.
“I'll always try to help the lads, whether I've got the armband or not. That's part of being in a team. If you've got experience or something to give, you have to do that.”
And while Kelly's focus remains firmly on helping the team, he is clear that success must now be the group's priority.
The striker believes the foundations are in place, with the responsibility now firmly on the players to deliver on the pitch.
"We've got a really good group here, and the only thing that matters to us now is success.
"On behalf of the group, we're grateful. The owners can't do any more; the club can't do any more in terms of what they've done and what they've brought in, the staff and the people. It's on us players now, and we know that.
"The only thing that matters is success."
For Kelly personally, that means putting collective achievement ahead of individual accolades.
"It's not about goals; it's not about individuals. It's about bringing success, and it needs to happen this year.
"I know that as a player, and we know as a group, that it will just take a little bit of belief. I think that belief within us is gradually, slowly building and building."
Kelly believes the squad has plenty more to give, with the squad's potential yet to be fully realised.
"I don't think we're anywhere near our maximum potential, where we can get to. I think we have huge strides to make up, whereas most other teams in the league are there or thereabouts.
"Hopefully we can progress quite a lot over the coming weeks and months, into the part of the season where it really matters."
Kelly knows exactly what success would mean not just for the squad, but for the community he has increasingly become part of.
And having worn the armband for the first time this season, he is determined to play his part in delivering it.
"I do think we're going to get there this year. Whether other people think it or not, I believe we can.
"We know what's expected of us now. The only thing that matters is success."
