When Kevin Pietersen resigned as English cricket captain he no doubt believed he was leaving behind a position of great responsibility, importance and prestige. The media went mad; English cricket was (and maybe still is) in crisis. ‘Poms plight is well worth a giggle’ was the headline for one Australian newspaper, perhaps seeing this incident as a vital blow to England’s ashes chances in the summer. However, the fact that Pietersen took coach Peter Moores with him demonstrates just how much power a national captain has – which, in this case, proved negative. So, does a sports team really need a captain?

The majority of sport players will be quick to point out the benefits of having a leader within a squad – for experience, motivation, and inspiration. In rugby, the captain’s role as the communicative link between his team and the referee seemingly makes him an indispensable part of the game. Likewise, the role Pietersen used to fulfil in making decisions about bowlers, field positions and whether to declare when batting, is one that cannot be simply ousted from the sport. Having one single authority on the pitch stops conflicting views and quick tempers when emotions run high.

Indeed, captaincy can benefit the individual as well as the group. No doubt Andrew Strauss will be lifted by his recent appointment to replace Pietersen, determined to excel and justify his position at the helm of English cricket. Potential can be unleashed with a symbolic gesture; captaincy can make a player into an imposing yet well respected figure, applauded by contemporaries.

Our question is not so simply answered, however. As is obvious from recent events, not all reigns of captaincy end triumphantly, and their initial appointment can also be problematic, causing ill feeling, disappointment and factions amongst the team. Maybe Fabio Capello got it right, by rotating the captaincy when he succeeded Steve McClaren as England manager, and thereby testing for the best option.

And what if there is no suitable candidate for leadership? What if no natural leader presents himself? Should the best player be promoted, as has been the case with Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal? Or, if there is no one appropriate, should no one receive a promotion? The argument that professional players would respect a new captain regardless of their own opinions, is rebuked by the suggestion that they are also disciplined enough to be entrusted with a collective responsibility when the promotion of a team-mate would be nothing more than a superficial act.

Even if the right appointment of a captain appears to be a good one it does not necessarily mean they will set a shining example automatically. William Gallas’ ‘sit in’ protest at St. Andrews during last year’s Premier League campaign was slated by both fans and pundits alike. Likewise, Roy Keane’s message to Alf Inge Halaand after a horror tackle in the 2001 Manchester derby was hardly the behaviour of a role model.

One problem with captaincy seems to be that it enhances the emotional connection between a player and his team- they perhaps feel obliged to let their feelings get the better of them, as a demonstration of passion to their fans, or of fearlessness to their colleagues.

Yet – the captain sets an example, and his bad behaviour carries more implications than merely a red card or disciplinary action. Unofficial vice-captaincy positions means more individuals can potentially damage team morale through misbehaviour – as Andrew Flintoff did when he swapped his vice-captaincy duties at the 2007 Cricket World Cup for the skippering duties of a pedal-powered sea vessel.

Saying this, the above examples are rarities. In reality, sport as a whole is bigger than just professional athletes, and a team leader is, in my opinion, crucial at an amateur level. In college sport for example, someone needs to take up the responsibility of organising training, making people show up in time for matches and helping everyone settle in to a team. If nothing more, then appointing a captain in an amateur team, be it a college’s rugby side or an under-12s football squad can make the players feel more like they are part of something well drilled and serious. Yet the same problems still exist – the wrong appointment can have effects just as damaging.

In reality though, the word ‘captain’ is more than just a job title – it carries with it a certain weight. This weight means responsibility, and duty. For a team to go permanently without a leader is rather naïve, but I do not see the harm in giving the idea of collective responsibility a go when no one immediately stands out from the crowd. In a team, a leader will – at some point- naturally emerge. A system of trial an error will also work, as managers test different people in the position. Ultimately, time and thought must go into the appointment, so that a new captain can enjoy greater stability and a long and prosperous reign. It is at this point that the role of the captain becomes fundamental.

St. Edmund Hall extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division on Wednesday with a highly impressive 3-1 defeat of Worcester College. Tim Hoffman put Teddy Hall one up in first half stoppage time, before Charlie Talbot-Smith doubled their lead on 65 minutes. Oli Gee pulled one back for Worcester with twelve minutes remaining but a late Charlie Southern strike sealed the points for the visitors.

Southern, arguably the best player on the pitch, commented after the match that Teddy Hall, now on a nine match unbeaten run, could use this result to push on for a league and cup double. The match – and the celebrations of the Teddy Hall players at the final whistle – had the feel of a defining moment. The day after the transfer of the Presidency of the United States, this was the transfer of another prestigious title, for Teddy Hall are now the team to beat in college football.

Hall started the day three points ahead of second placed New, with a game in hand. Defeat could have cost them first place, but this win, combined with surprise defeats for New and St. Anne’s at the hands of struggling Oriel and Magdalen respectively, gives Teddy Hall a five point lead over second placed St. Catherine’s with a game in hand.

It was Worcester, winners of the last three Premier Divisions and last year’s Cuppers (appropriately enough over Teddy Hall) who started the brighter. Their high tempo game was too much for visitors initially. Worcester’s wingers, Jamie Brown and Mauro Pereira came flying out of the blocks, hassling Hall from the opening whistle. Pereira, yellow booted, was athletic and fearless, with and without the ball.

Worcester’s strike force – Adam Healy dropping deep and wide, Oli Gee playing off the shoulder – combined frequently to good effect. The game’s first chance came after three minutes when Healy put Gee in, who shot wide. Gee twice returned the favour, but Healy could not beat Nicola Ielpo on either occasion.

Had Worcester taken one of those chances it would have been a very different game. But Hall defended resolutely and grew in confidence as the first half progressed. The physical presence of Jason Kasler and Charlie Southern started to cause problems as they each went close with headers near the half hour mark. An audacious overhead kick from Talbot-Smith whistled wide.

Crucially for the visitors, Tim Hoffman was starting to impose his will on midfield, but ‘keeper-captain Ielpo was as crucial as anyone to their success. Even as Teddy Hall started to dominate play, he was forced into vital saves. A Rob Munroe free-kick floated into the box was headed by Will Gilbert into the path of Healy, whose header forced Ielpo into a leaping save. Minutes later Brown’s snapshot from twenty yards out stung Ielpo’s palms as he put it out for a corner.

The first goal would be crucial. With forty five minutes played it seemed likely that such a moment would have to wait. But, from nowhere, Hoffman was put through. He danced past the challenge of Elliot Thomas and shot into the bottom corner. The referee blew soon after.

Worcester started the second half bravely, eager to keep the match and their season alive. As with the start of the first period, they were sufficiently physical and competitive to worry a strong Teddy Hall side. Healy broke down the right hand side and sliced a cross/shot over the bar.

Worcester’s golden chance to equalise fell soon later, on 62 minutes. Teddy Hall left back Matt Clark, bringing the ball out of defence, beat two men comfortably. On trying to beat a third he ran into Jamie Brown, who gave Healy the ball. Healy slid Brown into the right hand channel, with more time and space than he could have expected, but Brown blazed his shot over. Just three minutes after that it was 0-2.

A scramble in the Worcester area, and the ball fell to Kasler whose shot was blocked. It fell to Talbot-Smith from eight yards out: Simon Pound may have saved his shot, but a deflection from Dave Sinclair sent it spinning into the bottom corner. Two goals ahead and twenty five minutes left, Teddy Hall looked comfortable.
They had chances to extend their lead: the indomitable Charlie Southern, whose physical and technical skills surpassed any other outfield player, could have had two with his powerful left foot. Worcester captain Matt Sinnett expertly turned Talbot-Smith’s cross over the bar when an own goal looked on the cards.

Deprived of Alex Toogood, Niko de Walden, Kunal Desai and Lucian Weston – all on OUAFC duty – Worcester lacked the quality they are used to. But they continued to battle hard and halved Hall’s lead with twelve minutes left. Oli Gee turned on the edge of the box and fired a left footed shot towards the top corner. Ielpo palmed the ball round the post, but Gee turned in substitute Tom Butts’ corner from the second attempt.

A hectic finale ensued, with the game stretched as Worcester pushed and pushed for a dramatic equaliser. But their tired legs cost them as Hall went 3-1 ahead. Matt Sinnett passed straight to Southern, who gratefully charged through on goal. His left foot shot into the bottom corner was beyond the sprawling Pound for his ninth of the season.

There were chances at both ends in the four minutes of stoppage time, but both ‘keepers were equal to them. Nicola Ielpo – goalkeeper and captain in the Dino Zoff mould – praised his team warmly after full time.
“I am really happy about the group, our football is getting better and better” he said. “Defensively it was a perfect game, and physically we had the edge.” The Teddy Hall players warmly embraced at full time, confident that the Premier Division was now theirs to lose. While dejected Worcester were, like the AFC Ajax whose shirts they imitate, haunted by their former glories.