JACK Higgins agreed with York City manager Jackie McNamara's decision to hand the captain's armband to Simon Heslop rather than himself.

The former Stalybridge centre back was in the running for the responsibility, as McNamara ran the rule over possible successors to the departed Russell Penn during pre-season.

York-born Heslop, who has performed in the National League for Wrexham, Torquay, Luton, Kettering, Halifax, Northwich, Tamworth and Kidderminster, was subsequently given the gig, with Higgins and Matt Fry named as understudies.

But former PE teacher Higgins, who has just graduated from part-time football at the age of 25, considers it a privilege just to have been in the frame for the job.

He said: "I think the gaffer made the right choice personally because Hessie's a great lad and has a hell of a lot of experience in this league, so he knows where we have to go and how we have to play.

"I've been playing in the league below so, to even be in consideration for the captaincy, was a huge privilege and, hopefully, one day, I will be able to become captain of this great club. Just to be joint vice-captain is a great honour though."

City currently sit in eighth place after two games of the new campaign following Tuesday night's 1-0 home win over Macclesfield and the 1-1 draw at Maidstone last weekend.

Higgins is now targeting the three points against tomorrow's visitors Boreham Wood that he believes will lift the club into the play-off positions, where he intends to be positioned for the remainder of the campaign.

"It was really important we backed up the point at Maidstone with three at home on Tuesday and, if we can get another win, then seven points out of nine would represent a very good start," he reasoned. "We would be in and around the play-off positions and the top five is where we want to be during the whole season."

Despite the encouraging early points haul, the former Ashton United and Clitheroe defender has also promised better performances on the horizon, adding: "We're proving what a resilient team we are but, to be honest, we haven't even started yet so, to get three points and a clean sheet on Tuesday while still being disappointed with the way we played, is the sign of a winning team in my opinion."

With himself and ex-Braintree centre-back Fry having both been recruited from clubs noted for their direct style of play, Higgins went on to admit that McNamara's preference for playing out from the back is still a work in progress.

"We're still learning each others' games," the 6ft 3in sentinel pointed out. "We've all come from different clubs and the the wing-back system is quite an unfamiliar one for us.

"The gaffer wants us to get on the ball and start playing which, as defenders, is not normally our job. We usually just defend and head everything, so it's something we need to implement into our game to make sure we are consistently playing the right type of football the gaffer wants us to play, whilst also being solid defensively."

Higgins was dominant in the air as City enjoyed their first shut-out since February against Macclesfield and he insisted that will not change throughout the season - even if it's bad news for his follicles.

He joked: "I started off with a full head of air at 18 and, whilst I've not had it confirmed, I'm sure heading 100 balls a week doesn't help with that, but I'm used to that and I'm fine with it."

Having been accustomed to playing in front of three-figured attendances, Higgins was thrilled, meanwhile, by the response of the 2,300 City fans to Tuesday night's win and wants that reaction to become the norm at home.

"I was absolutely delighted to get three points in front of that crowd," he enthused. "It's a lot bigger crowd than I've been used to and pre-season was a bit false in that sense, because some people were on their holidays, but it looked packed on Tuesday night and the ground was absolutely buzzing towards the end.

"It was a great feeling and we just want to give the fans something to be proud of every week."

Higgins also stressed that the raft of summer signings has helped create a fresh atmosphere within Bootham Crescent.

"I think bringing in so many players has made things easier, because it's difficult as a player going into a new changing room of 22 or 23 players, where everyone is set in their ways and you have to make yourself fit in," he explained. "With a new squad, though, you can set your own rules and standards you want to hit every week.

"The two or three players that are still here from last season have also jumped on board and it's almost more of a new thing for them, rather than the rest of us. When a club has been relegated, something has gone wrong and, from what I've heard, it was down to personnel.

"The gaffer has recruited well and Cheltenham won the league after doing the same last season, so it's up to us to make things positive at Bootham Crescent again."