RETURNING striker Richard Brodie has admitted that being made York City captain would represent the proudest moment of his career if the opportunity arose.

A vacancy for the role has arisen at Bootham Crescent after skipper Russell Penn and understudy Dave Winfield both turned down new deals with the Minstermen to join Carlisle and Ebbsfleet respectively.

Brodie, at 28, is currently the oldest outfield player in City's squad with 370 senior appearances to his name and Jackie McNamara's first summer signing believes taking on the armband would also help improve his relationship with officials, having been sent off seven times in his career.

If McNamara has somebody else in mind for the job, though, Brodie will work just as hard to have a positive influence around the club.

He said: "I honestly think being made skipper would be the making of me. I captained Southport once under Martin Foyle and, while I don't know if there's a chance of that happening, I would love to do it here, if at all possible.

"I think it would help me with referees as well. They might have a different perception of me if I was given that added responsibility.

"The manager will have his own ideas and, really, you need quite a few leaders and not just the man with the armband, so there will be no difference in the way I approach things if I'm not.

"I'm proud enough just to be coming back to play for York but, in the past, I've seen people lifting the trophy at Wembley and league championship silverware and thought that's something I would love to do and I think it would bring out the best in me as a player.

"In fact, captaining York would be the proudest moment of my career – easily."

Brodie recalls that he was surrounded by mentors during his first spell at City when he arrived from Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics at the age of 19 and, more than nine years on, he is looking forward to those roles reversing.

"I will relish that I am one of the older players and that bit of responsibility will do me good," he said.

"I have already offered to travel in with Alex Whittle every day because he lives near me and I want to look after the younger lads and help bring them on, because I remember how I was looked after at York by people like TY (David McGurk).

"I'm a different person now in terms of my attitude and personality and I want to be a positive role model on the training ground and at the club by doing the right things and having high standards. I'll still be a bit of a character – but in the right way."

Left-back Whittle, 23, ended last season at Brodie's old club Southport and the former Fleetwood and Morecambe striker has received good reports about his fellow new signing.

Brodie revealed: "I've spoken to people at Southport about Alex and they said they were really impressed with him as a player and a lad."