'Captain Fantastic' passes on arm-band (From Warrington Guardian)

'Captain Fantastic' passes on arm-band

SAINTS' packman Chris Joynt has vowed to make sure Super League IX a big season after announcing his decision to stand down as skipper to concentrate on his own game.

He was keen to stress that the move was not part of a gentle wind down after seven trophy-laden seasons as club captain - he wants to make sure he that his career at Knowsley Road ends on a high note, not a whimper.

And with an abundance of young back-rowers pushing for a start Joynt knows he will have to be on his mettle because competition will be hotter than ever. But that is just what he wants.

He said: "This is a big year for me. I will be giving 110 per cent. I have had two months of quality pre-season training for the first time in ten years and am feeling good about it.

"Skipper is a very demanding job on and off the park. With having 12 months to go on my contract I now I feel I need to concentrate on my own game to get the most out of that year and continue to give my best efforts to the Saints.

"It was a tough decision to make, but to be honest I made it last year when the coach was playing me on the bench and I was not really having a key role on the park.

"I just thought with 12 months to go and with a lot of young ones coming through, it is better for me to hand over the reins now.

" I want to leave the club in good hands and if I can help a new captain get settled and be able to pass on my experience for a year, that is best all round.

"It will be a balancing act in letting the new captain develop his own leadership style and I will give whoever is chosen my full support. But if I think something needs saying, I will say it."

Coach Ian Millward paid tribute to Joynt's key role in Saints' achievements during the Super League era.

"Chris is probably the greatest captain the club has had - his record proves that. He's been a great leader and I'm sure he'll continue to give his support and experience to the team," Millward said.

A decision on Joynt's successor has already been made and will be announced next week - but that won't stop five days of speculation.

The favourite from both a fans and marketing man's point of view is twice Man of Steel Paul Sculthorpe. The only doubt would be whether this would mean loading too much on Saints' star man's shoulders.

Also in the running will be scrum half Sean Long, who revelled in stand-in skipper role late last season during Joynt and Sculthorpe's absence.

Keiron Cunningham, who has been training as hard as ever, will probably want to concentrate on kick-starting his career after two injury affected seasons.

A dark horse for the job may be full back Paul Wellens, whose passion for his home town club is combined with an astute rugby brain and an ability to gee up his colleagues.