Liam Kelly singles out ‘well-regarded’ Coventry City player to succeed him as captain

Liam Kelly has had his say on who he believes will be his natural successor as Coventry City captain next season.

The outgoing Sky Blues captain moves on after seven influential and memorable years at the club where he captained the club since taking over from Michael Doyle in February 2019 following his mid-term move to Notts County. A number of players have since taken the place when Kelly has been sidelined through injury, illness or not being selected, with Kyle McFadzean being the ‘go to’ man in his absence.

However, since quitting the team last November and subsequent move to Blackburn Rovers in January, manager Mark Robins has turned to Ben Sheaf to shoulder most of the responsibility.

READ MORE: Doug King’s Coventry rethink, ticketing ‘clarity’, state of safety and kit guarantees

READ MORE: ‘Trust me’ – Doug King addresses Coventry City’s summer recruitment plans

Those who led the team last season included Joel Latibeaudiere, Matty Godden and Jamie Allen, while Jake Bidwell, Callum O’Hare and Josh Eccles took the armband after the substitutions.

Asked if he thought Sheaf, 26, would be the perfect and natural successor to him, Kelly said: “Yeah, definitely. Ben is a very mature player who has been here for a couple of seasons and has done very well on the pitch and is a very well-liked person in the dressing room as well, so…”

But the veteran midfielder, who was released after reaching the end of his contract this summer, insists it is not a foregone conclusion and says the Robins have a number of options for the job.

“There are a lot of mature players there, there is Joel (Latibeaudiere) who is an experienced player for his young age and then there is Bidders (Jake Bidwell) who is an experienced boss, so there are a lot of leaders in that dressing room. .

“But yes, Ben did a fantastic job playing as captain.”

Who do you think should take the armband? Tell us what you think in the comments section HERE.