Dean Inman believes Matty Harriott has earned the right to wear the Hayes & Yeading armband this season.

The 24-year-old centre-half skippered United last term but lost the captaincy to former Northampton Town midfielder Harriott for the 2014-15 campaign.

Inman admits it was nice while it lasted but accepts manager Phil Babb’s decision to pass the duties over to his team-mate, who was voted United’s man of the match in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chelmsford.

He said: “It’s nice being captain, but to me it’s just handshakes and because I was suspended for the first two games, and it’s really a way of him earning it because of his exceptional pre-season performances. I don’t need an armband to play my best football. I just love playing the game and try to play with my heart on the sleeve every week. Matty’s a good leader, always solid and consistent every week.”

Former captain: Hayes & Yeading defender Dean Inman

Inman’s old club Farnborough came back for the defender in the summer but he remained under contract at Beaconsfield Road, with Conference South football secured at York Road via a reprieve following troubles at Hereford United.

“I spoke to Phil during pre-season, and everything went well. The fans are incredible but the gaffer and Trist [assistant boss Tristan Lewis] were the most influential but I was under contract and I love Hayes”

“You don’t want to be out of the Conference South, it’s the minimum where I want to play, relegation hurt a lot, and the final day was very bitter sweet. It was a great personal achievement winning some awards but being relegated in the controversial manner took the shine off all that, it took a few weeks before I could look at them [the management] and it meant a lot to me, at the time I was heartbroken.”

New leader: Hayes & Yeading captain Matty Harriott

Saturday’s point against the Clarets means Hayes & Yeading had suffered defeat just once in their last six outings, much to the delight of former Liverpool star Babb.

“I think we’re three points off third place,” he said after Saturday’s game. “I’m encouraged by the performances.

“I think we may have lost this game last year. We’ve got that resilience at the moment. We’re picking points up and that’s all I can ask of the boys. They’ve been terrific.”

Hayes & Yeading hosti Bromley this weekend.