Yorke and Rudan named Sydney FC twin captains

Sydney FC has handed experienced duo Dwight Yorke and Mark Rudan a shared captaincy role with Yorke named Team Captain and Rudan give the job of Club Captain for the 2006/07 Hyundai A-League season.

The appointments were confirmed at the Sydney FC 2006/07 Season Launch, held at Star City last night.

Rudan, a born and bred Sydney boy, will be the official club spokesman while Yorke will lead the team onto Aussie Stadium throughout the season.

The Trinidad & Tobago captain is hopeful he will be able to take his place in the Sydney FC side for Sunday’s opening round clash with the Central Coast Mariners after recovering from a groin tendon injury.

Sydney FC Coach Terry Butcher, who announced the twin roles, said the pair gave the Sydney FC club tremendous ambassadors and also strong role models for the younger players in the side.

“Dwight and Mark offer a lot to this club and the experience they bring is one of the crucial aspects of getting this team to perform to its expectations,” Butcher said. “I have always thought that a football club is only as good as its senior players and in these two (Yorke and Rudan) we have two real pros.

“We have a lot of very talented players who are at the age when they are ready to develop and learn and they can learn a lot from Dwight and Mark.

“Dwight has earned his respect as captain last year and also with what he has achieved in the game but I have been very impressed by Mark since I arrived.

“In Mark and Dwight we have two tremendous ambassadors and role models for Sydney FC and the younger players in the team.”

Team Captain Yorke stated he was anxious to get back onto the field and was still hopeful of being ready to play on Sunday.

“We are all looking forward to Sunday tremendously,” Yorke said. “The first game of any season is special but when you go into the season trying to defend a title there is added excitement.

“I hope I can be part of it but the main goal is to make sure we can perform to our best over the whole season and repeat what we did last year. It is going to be a big season and I am proud to be captain of this team.”

Club Captain Rudan was equally proud: “To be named Club Captain is a tremendous honour,” he said. “I am a Sydney boy and to be playing for a Sydney team in the A-League has been something I will always remember.

“To be named as Club Captain is even better. We have a big year ahead with the A-League and then hopefully the Asian Champions League so it is time to get down to business.”

Sydney FC kicks off its title defence against the Central Coast Mariners at Aussie Stadium on Sunday at 5:00pm.