Wolves' Richard Stearman speaks of captaincy pride

Wolves defender Richard Stearman said it was an 'honour' to captain the team as a local lad – but insists he was just keeping the armband warm for Danny Batth.

Stearman stepped in for the final two games of the season as Wolves agonisingly missed out on a play-off place.

He took the captain's armband from injured Batth, who suffered a stress fracture of his left foot before the final two games against Wigan and Millwall.

Stearman has endured a rollercoaster few years at Molineux,

Despite his age Stearman has become one of the veterans of the Wolves dressing room and he told his team mates what a Wolverhampton man being Wolves captain meant.

And he admitted he relished the responsibility of leading out the team.

Stearman said: "It's something I thoroughly enjoy and I was very honoured to lead the boys out.

"I must stress I was only keeping it warm for Danny but it's a job I thrive upon.

"I said that to them – for someone who's from Wolverhampton as well, it's a big honour for myself and they repaid me with two good performances and two wins at the end of the season.

"So I'm undefeated as captain but I'm keeping it warm for Danny for when he comes back fit and it was a great couple of weeks and an incredible couple of seasons."

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Stearman has been linked with a move away from Molineux, with Fulham said to be lining up a surprise bid.

He has 12 months left on his current deal and Wolves will be keen to secure his signature this summer.

The double Wolves player of the year also issued a 'come and get me' plea to Ireland as he opened up on his international ambitions.

At the end of the season he said he was at the 'peak' of what he'd achieved personally at Wolves.

Meanwhile departed chief talent-spotter Stuart Webber has explained his reasons behind swapping Wolves for Huddersfield Town.

He said: "At Wolves my role was solely focused on recruitment, right through from the first team to the academy.

"Here at Huddersfield there is of course a focus on recruitment and scouting, which is a massive part of my job, but I'll also be supporting the academy, the medical department and the sports science operations."

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