EARLY JULY and as Hartlepool United’s new squad toiled around Catterick Garrison as part of their pre-season preparations, one player in particular caught the eye.

It may have been somewhat unexpected, but Billy Paynter was at the forefront of everything Pools did – running, organising, talking, cajoling and Ronnie Moore immediately penned him in as a possible captain.

With the season starting tomorrow, the frontman has been named skipper for the season. He’s Moore’s trusted lieutenant, a scouse band of brothers at Victoria Park.

“Billy is captain and it’s a decision I’ve tossed and turned with for three weeks now. I’ve had options, but it’s common sense really,’’ said Moore.

“He’s a leader, had a rough time of it at his old club, not for me to say what went on. He’s come here, been fantastic, won all his running and races in pre-season. He’s a leader, always got something to say and he will lead by example on the pitch in how many defenders he knocks about, how he links up and how many he sets up.

“He didn’t deserve what happened to him at Carlisle.’’

With a sense of injustice burning, Moore is convinced Paynter has a point to prove to plenty of people, Cumbrians’ boss Keith Curle especially after he bombed the striker out of the first-team.

“God knows what went on last season, it is not for me to say,’’ said Moore. “You do in football have fallouts.

“I have known Billy a long time, he has been at Donny and Sam (Collins) knows him really well. He has bedded in like he has been here a long time.

“He is not afraid of having an opinion, which is what I like.’’

And, with a new outlook in the dressing room and problematic individuals removed from the squad, Moore is open to giving his players the freedom to express their thoughts.

“If you’re not happy with the system or players not doing what they are supposed to then say it - we are all over 21,’’ said the manager, with the signing of his new contract imminent.

“I don’t have all the answers, someone in that dressing room may have an idea and if it makes us better than great.

“It is not like I am the boss and whatever I say goes, I have always worked with good pros who are not afraid to say what they want to say.

“Don’t go sniggling in your little groups, once you get that you get a cancer in the group the you are in trouble.

“You need to be honest and man up. There is no deadwood in there, no-one who can hurt us.

“I have said to Billy ‘you are the captain and you need to make sure it is right, if not then we need to do something about it’.

“Sometimes players do have an idea and you think ‘I hadn’t thought about that.’ -as long as they are sensible suggestions!’’

Moore revealed he has to contend with some injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s opener, that has led him to making enquiries in the transfer market.

But while Dan Jones is a likely absentee tomorrow, former loanee David Mirfin won’t be part of the Pools squad.

Surprisingly made available this week by Scunthorpe, Mirfin and the Iron have been approached.

“Everybody tells me on Twitter what I should be doing, do they really think I haven’t tried?’’ asked Moore. “I have spoken with Scunthorpe but he played last week for them.

“They are in no rush to see him leave, they have a one or two little knocks and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in their squad on Saturday.

“At this present moment in time we have tried but Mirf is going to be a no, no.’’