Cheddar return to action for the first time in three weeks when they take on Lebeq United on Saturday.

Weston Mercury Sport caught up with Callum Laird, who will captain the Cheesmen in Almonsbury.

Laird has taken over the armband from George Booth, who has been out injured since the start of the season.

The 27-year-old defender joined Cheddar three years ago from Middlezoy Rovers and shared his delight of his newly appointment role, saying “when the manager (Craig Mawford) first asked me to be captain, it was an honour and I wear the armband with a great deal of pride whenever I pull the Cheddar shirt on.

“There are several players in the squad a bit older than I am. But being the person I am, if I wasn’t the captain, I would still be doing my level best and to lead by example.

“I always try to set a good example on the pitch as well, whether I am leading [the team] or just being part of the team.”

It has been a mixed season so far for Cheddar. Despite sitting as high as second place in Toolstation Western League Division One, results have seen them drop to down to sixth in the table.

The Cheesemen last played on December 18 at Sherborne Town, a match that ended in a 4-1 defeat for Mawford’s side.

However, Laird says there is a sense of great fondness upon looking back on the way the season has gone so far but believes his side have a lot more to give between now and the end of the campaign.

“We are just over the halfway point in the league now, and I’ve had a lot of good memories so far this season,” he added.

“We had that run earlier this season winning six consecutive games but primarily, both I and many members of the team, if not all of us, have learned especially over the last couple of years with the pandemic, not to take football for granted any more.

“Whenever I put my boots on you just never know if it’s going to be your last game, and for that reason, I always want to do and to give of my best.

“There’s not been too many low memories, although of course our performance against Wells back in October wasn’t our best (a 0-4 defeat), but we learned from that result, and we have improved as a team since then.

“It’s never a nice memory when you are on the receiving end of a defeat, but we are an incredibly positive group here at Cheddar and we will always react positively from any setback.

“There’s more to come from us without any doubt, we will keep progressing and we will continue to aim to finish the season in a league position as high as we can.”