Elliott Dickman has highlighted the significance of academy product George Honeyman being named club captain.
Honeyman, 23, was handed the captaincy by manager Jack Ross last Wednesday, replacing the departed John O’Shea, as the club embark on a new era.
Three days later, the youngster led Sunderland to victory on the opening day of the season against Charlton Athletic – as fellow academy graduates Josh Maja and Lynden Gooch turned the tide after trailing to Lyle Taylor’s opener.
Speaking to safc.com, under-23s coach Dickman highlighted the work and endeavour Honeyman has put in to reach the top, admitting he is the ‘perfect role model’ for the club’s current crop of young talents.
“To have George as our captain now is great,” he said. “I remember when he was 10 and 11 progressing through.
“There are a lot of coaches and part-time coaches that don’t get the recognition they deserve who deal with these players.
“They don’t need to be in the headlines telling everyone how good they are because they work, work and work to produce the next one.”
He continued: “George has always been a hardworking player and the first-team have come up with a fantastic role model for an academy player to show what it takes to become a first-team player and the journey you have to go on.
“If you speak to George he will tell you that he was very much up and down, but with George captain now it is a very proud moment.”
