Central Coast name experienced star Alan Baro as skipper

Central Coast Mariners have announced new Spanish recruit Alan Baró as the team’s captain with the veteran defender bringing experience to the back line.

Alan Baro announced as Mariners captain at the annual Family Day at Kibble Park on Saturday (AAP image / Mark Scott)

CENTRAL Coast Mariners new skipper Alan Baró said he’s delighted to be given the opportunity to don the captain’s armband for the upcoming 2017/18 A-League season.

Baró was unveiled to supporters as the new club captain at Saturday’s Family Day at Kibble Park.

“It’s a great honour to be named captain. I’m proud about it,” he told the Express Advocate.

“I am grateful Paolo gave me the chance to represent the team. I’m really happy about it and hoping to help the team.”

Alan Baro is presented with the captain’s armband by outgoing captain Nick Montgomery (AAP image / Mark Scott)

The 32-year-old Spanish defender is the side’s fifth full-time captain, following on from Noel Spencer, Alex Wilkinson, John Hutchinson and Nick Montgomery.

Baró relocated to the Central Coast in June after enjoying a successful stint with Melbourne Victory, and he’s hoping to bolster the Mariners’ back line with his experience.

Baró spent over a decade in Spain with the likes of Osasuna, Alicante and SD Ponferradina, and it isn’t the first time he’s been named captain, as he wore the captain’s armband in his last two seasons in the Segunda División.

Newly named captain Alan Baro signs a young fan’s shirt at the Central Coast Mariners annual Family Day (AAP image /Mark Scott)

“Individually my goal is just to help the team as needed. With my experience, I can help the younger players in the squad. I am there for everyone who needs my help or just a different point of view of their job in the team.”

“As a group we need to work hard, everyone needs to compete in every game and make our fans proud every match, and if we do that we can expect to have a good season.”

“I was captain in Ponferradina in my last two seasons, this is a different challenge for me being in a new country and new league, but being a leader is not something that is new to me.”

Hundreds of fans at the Central Coast Mariners annual Family Day at Kibble Park (AAP image/Mark Scott)

Baró said he’s pleased with the team’s pre-season preparations and is hoping for a great season for Mariners fans.

“We’ve been working hard physically and tactically. We aren’t focused on the result against Victory, but it’s good to know we can compete with one of the team’s best teams and it has given us some confidence that we can achieve.”

“We have enjoyed a great pre-season, we know we can compete with any team in the A-League, and I am confident that it is going to be a really good season for us.”