Lucas Neill has spoken of his pride at leading the team out this coming Saturday for a match will have extra significance for all fans of West Ham United and Fulham.
The right-back is mindful that Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Bobby Moore, the legendary club captain who served the club to distinction between 1958 and 1974 before a three-year stint with Fulham. During his Hammers career, Moore helped the club to FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup glory as well as winning 108 England caps and lifting the World Cup trophy.
His legacy will never be forgotten and Neill is well aware of the responsibility that comes with captaining West Ham United, a post he has held since the start of this season. "Even now it makes me tingle," he told WHUTV. "It is a great honour and you mention Bobby Moore and to put your name on a list with great names such as that is truly remarkable.
"I don't see it as an achievement - I see it as a privilege or an honour. It surprises me when I am leading out a talented squad in a big club. It is very humbling and very rewarding." Neill, who is also captain of Australia, is well respected by his team-mates and admits that he sees the job as something that has to be worked at.
"I am trying to be the best I can be, trying to be a leader," the No2 explained. "I was trying to hard with some of the things I was doing earlier in the season. I was trying to be too much of a captain rather than just a player and letting people follow you naturally. I am working it out but I hope it is the first season of many."