EVER-present Craig Hinton is looking a good bet to be named as Kidderminster Harriers' player of the year in their first season in the Football League.

The 23-year-old has been in outstanding form throughout the campaign and received a feather in his cap on Monday when boss Jan Molby handed him the captaincy duties after Ian Clarkson was ruled out through illness.

Hinton said: "I used to captain Birmingham City's youth team but that's it.

"It was a bit of a shock really. You just try not to think about it and try to lead by example. It was a bit of a surprise, but I was very pleased to do it."

Explaining his decision to give Hinton the captaincy, Molby said: "It was one of those things that I didn't quite know who to hand it to.

"Normally, it would be Mark Shail, but I decided to leave him out and John Durnin could have had a case, but I decided to make him one of the subs.

"So I didn't quite know and it wasn't until I got to the ground that I thought 'yes, Craig he's played every match and he deserves it. I thought he did well. Sometimes things like that gives players a lift and it did in his case."

Wolverhampton-born Hinton, meanwhile, admits to being 'quite happy' with his first season in the Football League.

"I'm loving it being back to full-time football, you can't beat it.

"I've always thought I could make the step up and I'm just glad it's gone so well for me really.

"I'm hoping that by the end of the season I'll have been ever present."

Hinton joined Kidderminster in 1998 after an impressive trial period at Aggborough following his release by Birmingham.