AS the Respect programme continues on its merry way, I thought I'd open the debate up to you guys and girls on how you think it is working.

The captain

that gets

the Respect

AS the Respect programme continues on its merry way, I thought I'd open the debate up to you guys and girls on how you think it is working.

I won't go through all the requirements of Respect, as I'm sure many of you are aware of most of the ideas behind the FA's programme, but I've identified one person on the pitch I think is very significant.

And that's the team captain.

Respect gives lots of advice to team captains, that although they have no special privilege on the pitch, the fact they are team captains means they have extra responsibility.

I'll quote an excerpt from the Respect programme.

“To promote Respect, the referee will work with you, as the team captain, to manage the players and the game effectively.

“Even if you are some way from an incident when the referee feels he/she needs you involved in a discussion with a player, the referee will call you over.”

So, my point is, how important is the captain? And do you find your team captain is now more embroiled in conversation with the ref before and during the game?

Because from the games I have seen since Respect, I'm not really sure the captain plays more of a part with the referee than in previous years.

Then again, perhaps I'm wrong and this is where I want your help.

Because we are all keen to see Respect working, we all want it to work, but all I've witnessed since its formation two years ago is lots of tape around the ground with the words 'Respect' on, and even dug-outs with 'Respect' boards assigned.

Do you think players are behaving better and are you a team captain, enjoying a new relationship with the referee, and vice-versa?

On a similar subject, who is the best football captain you have played under?

I'll be interested in your views.

Contact me: mike.bacon@archant.co.uk