WILDCATS players have picked Czech forward Jan Kostal as their captain for the 2014/15 season.

Rather than head coach Ryan Aldridge choosing who should lead his team he left the decision in the hands of the players.

The squad voted ahead of tomorrow night’s league clash away to Sheffield Steeldogs and Aldridge, whose side has made an impressive start to their campaign, has backed 34-year-old Kostal to steer the team to success.

“Jan is just an all-round good person, he has come out of his shell more this year now that he is used to surroundings.

“I think it was the first time he ever played away from his home town club and he was probably a little bit shell shocked by the whole situation, a different country, a different language and a different team.

“He is the kind of person I would call a sponge, the boys just seem to want to be around him.

“He is obviously a leader and he leads in the way he plays, he is just a natural leader.

“When I used to play at Bracknell it was always the players who decided on the captain, at the end of the day it is their captain, I can pick who I think can lead the team but it is up to the players.

“They have chosen someone who they look up to and who they think will be a good captain.”

The players also selected experienced Great Britain Forward Aaron Nell and D-man Stevie Whitfield to assist Kostal this season.

Nell, who returned to his hometown club from the Sheffield Steelers midway through last season, was Swindon’s top goalscorer and skipper in 2012/13 and Aldridge expects his experience to play a key role in aiding Kostal.

“Aaron has been with the club for a few years now, obviously he had his time away, but he is a leader and a guy the players look up to,” added the Link Centre boss.

“In Stevie Whitfield you have his work rate and the way he has come out of his shell in the last couple of years, he has a very dry sense of humour and the boys like being around him.”