NEW Redditch United skipper Simon Rea is hoping he has finally shaken off the curse of the captain's armband.

The former Peterborough United centre half has taken charge on the field for the majority of United's pre-season games and said he was honoured to have been asked by manager Gary Whild.

"I'm very pleased to be captain. Palms (Carl Palmer) did well last season and I'm hoping I can also do a good job.

"I always think centre half is the best place to be as captain because obviously, you can see everyone and talk to them.

"I've been captain at virtually every club I've been at but have a bad superstition as it seems every time I've been captain, I've not completed a game - either being knocked out or sent off.

"In the past, when people have asked I've always said no thanks' but this time I thought I've got to put all that behind me.

"Talking to players is a massive part of the game and it's one of my strengths. Obviouslym I'm not going to do the 100m in under 10 seconds but I can organise and use my experience to make sure everyone is doing their jobs and concentrating."

The captain has played a key role ahead of the new season and is hopeful Reds can make a good start.

Rea said: "If you compare the pre-season to last year, then I think we are a quite a few steps ahead of where we were simply because we know each other.

"Last season was different because we were starting from scratch and we had to get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"We have been working with the new additions and, hopefully, we will be up and running when the season starts.

"If you don't know your teammates inside out, then you are never going to be totally fluent in what you do and you won't have the continuity you want."

One of those new signings is Rea's former Birmingham City and Peterborough United teammate Howard Forinton - a good friend both on and off the field.

"We have been friends for a long time and he will be a great asset to the club because of his movement and because of his time in the professional game," said Rea.

"Once he starts scoring it will be hard to stop him. He is probably one of the best strikers in this league.

"He is definitely a goalscorer and that's massively needed at this club because we've lost a few strikers.

"I think he will lead the line well with Bally (Richard Ball) but they will need time to gel.

"It takes a while for partnerships to be formed - it took me a good couple of months to find out Ex's (Exodus Geoghaghan) strengths and weaknesses last season and I think we now look a lot more solid.

"It will be the same with Bally and H - it will come because they are both intelligent players."

August 28 has been circled in Rea's diary for a few months now.

It's not that the Redditch United skipper has his sights set on some midweek match it's when his first child is due.

"I'm already having sleepless nights. The phones always on, the physio has it during the game, so I'm looking forward to it.

"I'll be dead meat if I miss it - my life won't be worth living."