Laurence Maguire 'very proud' to captain Chesterfield to win against Barnet

With Will Evans not involved in the matchday squad and Gavin Gunning out injured, the 24-year-old was named skipper and he led the Spireites to a comfortable victory at The Hive.

Maguire, who recently signed a new contract until 2024 and is the club’s current longest-serving player, told the DT: “It is a very proud moment for me and my family and I am very happy,

“I have always wanted to captain the football club.

“I did it once under Martin Allen but it was only for one game.

“I got the call yesterday (Friday) to go see the gaffer in the office and he said he sees a lot of leadership in me and he wanted me to have the armband today.

“I feel like I have got a lot better this year at talking, organising and being a leader on the pitch and I think the gaffer has helped me with that. As soon as he came in he said that I have got that in my locker and that he wanted to see more of it. I have been doing it in training and I am glad he has seen that.

“It has been a good few months, my confidence is back and I feel like I am playing the best football I have played at this club.

“I have had a long-term injury and I have bounced back from that and I think I have missed one game.”

Spireites manager James Rowe said he handed Maguire the armband because of his connection with the club and fans.

“I want to make sure we are connected to the community, connected to the fanbase and Laurence is certainly that,” Rowe said.

“He has been here a long time. He has seen some good times and he has seen some bad times.

“He has got leadership qualities that we want to grow and develop.

“I have said it from the start, whenever my tenure finishes here, whether it is a month, a year, ten years, I want to make sure the club is in a better place and certainly with Loz growing into a leader that will make sure the club is in good standing.”