FORMER Swanage and Wareham captain Phil Graves has revealed why he stepped down from the role after nine successful years in charge of the team on the field.

Graves, who has guided Swans to eight Dorset and Wiltshire Cup triumphs in that time, is in his early 30s.

So he and the club thought it was best to hand over the skipper's armband to a younger man while Graves was still playing.

The aim is to ensure as smooth a switch as possible to new captain Robert Elford, who has seen the side win their opening two South West Two East matches under his charge.

Graves, who continues to control the Bestwall boys' three-quarters, said: "I'd been captain long enough.

"Robert is still young, about 26, and I'm getting on. He has been a regular in the first team and was the ideal choice to take over.

"He'll do a good job, with the advantage from the club's point of view that I'm still playing and he can come to me during games for advice if he wants to.

"Dobbin has some experienced men around him and that can only help.

"The worry was that if I carried on as captain, I might retire in two or three years time before we could bring on a new man.

"That could have caused problems so to give up while I'm still playing and help him if needed is a much better option for everyone.

"When I took over the captaincy at 23 I had five or six past-captains round me. He's in the same boat now."

Elford, who had already been in charge of the forwards, said: "I'm lucky Phil is still here.

"To have him and my older brother Maurice, who was captain in 2001 when Phil was away, still playing makes my job a bit easier.

"When I spoke to Phil at the end of last season I said, you'd better expect a lot of questions to come your way' and he said, please do'.

"Fortunately, it's been a case of so far so good really."

Swans visit Tadley tomorrow (3pm) hoping to make it three league wins out of three.