Mooney named Walsall captain

Veteran striker Tommy Mooney was today confirmed as Walsall's permanent new captain.

The 36-year-old summer signing skippered the Saddlers in their back-to-back away wins this week despite the return to action of previous skipper Michael Dobson.

And manager Richard Money today confirmed Mooney would keep the armband for the rest of the season.

"Tommy is captain of this football team and will remain captain of this football team," said Money.

"He is a tremendous leader who is fantastic in the dressing room and fantastic on the pitch."

Mooney became Walsall's third captain of the season when he led the side out at Hartlepool last week and he he kept the armband for Tuesday's victory at Doncaster.

Dobson began the campaign as skipper having led the side to their League Two championship success last season and Martin Butler took the armband when Dobson was absent, firstly through injury and then due to the death of his father.

Dobson returned to action last weekend, but it was Mooney who was handed the captaincy.

Money said: "I had a long chat with 'Dobbo' last week and we both felt, given the problems that he has had with his father which have been playing on his mind, we should bring him back into the team and let him concentrate on playing.

"But Tommy Mooney is the correct leader for this team, there is no doubt about it.

"I think it was just a case of finding the right time to bring Dobbo back and I think last Saturday was the right time."