MARK Hotte speaks of giving 100 per cent, of passion, determination and encouragement.

He talks like a captain. He acts like a captain. Consciously or not, he sings from the same sheet as Billy McEwan. Surely if the armband fits wear it.

New-boy Hotte led Billy's team of babes through all of the pre-season friendlies and is more than just the obvious choice for captaincy - he oozes leadership from the way he stands to the way he talks to his team-mates.

And if he becomes McEwan's right-hand man when it is announced this week, he will take it in his stride.

He said: "I've been captain at most places I've been at. To be honest, I enjoy the added responsibility and I play better.

"If the gaffer sees it right to name me as captain I would be proud to be the skipper - even though I've come from Scarborough - because it is a huge honour."

He leads as he plays, with passion and determination.

Discipline-wise, he admits he's no Gary Lineker. The last three seasons have seen an average of just over seven yellow cards a year, a rate that will not sit comfortably with renowned disciplinarian McEwan.

"The gaffer is very big on discipline," said Hotte. "I'm going to try to rein it in a bit but I imagine I'll still get a couple. It's just because I'm a 100 per cent player.

"If there's a ball to be won, I'm not going to be pulling out of tackles. It's nothing dirty - it's just that I'm so passionate.

"The fans see that and appreciate it and I'm hoping the gaffer will be able to take a similar view.

"When I came to sign I told him I have a tendency to pick up a few cards and he just said if you're sat in the stands, you're not getting paid'. I'm hoping he'll be able to see that they're honest cards."

Hotte's presence in the squad epitomises McEwan's youth policy. At just 26 years old, he is the oldest player - another first for the former Oldham trainee.

He said: "I'm excited because of what the gaffer's put in place here. Everybody wants to develop their career - I came here to improve mine. We have not got players coming to the end of their careers, which is what you often get in the Conference.

"But it's not going to be an overnight success. There's a lot of players who have never played together before so it's going to take time but hopefully the fans will just give us time to gel."

His captaincy style will fit well with the nurturing attitude of McEwan. Added Hotte: "I'm a bit of a shouter.

People say I'm not technically the best player but I will always give it everything and I do shout an awful lot.

"The way the gaffer's got us to be in training and when we play is no criticism - all the talking should be only encouragement."

And that includes the fans too. "We need to get the fans behind us," said the twice supporters' player of the year at Scarborough. "They have got to realise that they have to look to the future. There are good times ahead for York. Maybe not this season coming, but certainly in the years to come.

"It's a good club, it's a great set-up and the only way should be forward."