Newport County captain Kyle Cameron says he is honoured to lead the club into the 2026-27 season after being named skipper ahead of the new campaign.
The defender has worn the armband throughout pre-season and was officially confirmed as club captain by manager Hayden Mullins ahead of Saturday's Carabao Cup first round trip to AFC Wimbledon.
"It's a huge honour for me," Cameron said.
"I've been quite privileged in my career to have that role at multiple clubs, so to come here and step into that straight away, I'm very happy and feel really privileged to be given that role."
Cameron returns to Newport County with a wealth of experience, having previously represented the club earlier in his career before spells with the likes of Notts County and Bromley, where he helped secure promotion to League Two last season.
The centre-back believes those experiences have helped shape him as both a player and a leader.
"It's been a long time since I was here before, so I'm a completely different player to what I was when I was 19.
"I've had a lot of good experiences and some tough experiences over the last few years, and hopefully I can use those to help avoid those difficult moments again and bring some good times here."
The defender says his approach to leadership has developed throughout his career, with a focus on creating a positive environment within the squad.
"I think the idea of a captain shouting, moaning and whinging is probably going out of the game now.
"It's about getting around everyone, encouraging people and making sure we're all on the same page. We've got quite a young group here, and I think we've created a really positive group to work with every day."
Cameron has enjoyed his first pre-season back at Rodney Parade, with the squad preparing for the opening competitive fixture against AFC Wimbledon.
"It's been good. It's been a little bit different this year because I've had a lot more games compared to what I'd normally have in pre-season.
"It's been less training ground work and more minutes in the legs, which will hopefully benefit us when the games start this weekend.
"The manager has only had limited time with us, but he's been able to get his ideas across through meetings and videos. I'm sure over the next few weeks, with more training time, we'll start seeing more of what he wants from us."
The captain has been impressed with Hayden Mullins' approach and the clarity he has brought to the squad.
"He's calm, he's good and he says the right things, which is always a positive.
"He's made it very clear how he wants us to play, but he's also giving us responsibility on the pitch to make the right decisions at the right times, which is important with the experience we have in the squad."
Cameron believes the current group has the ability to enjoy a positive season, with a blend of youth and experience throughout the squad.
"I think we've got a good mixture. We've got some good young lads coming through as well.
"Time will tell, but we have to aim as high as we possibly can. There will probably be more players coming in to strengthen and add depth, but I think we can be positive about this year."
The defender was also part of the Newport County side that faced AS Roma during pre-season, scoring his first goal for the club in the memorable fixture.
Despite the result, Cameron believes there were plenty of positives to take from competing against a Champions League side.
"Obviously the main thing is disappointing that, even though it is Roma, we lost the game 4-1. I think in the first half we were probably the better team and we should have had a couple of goals.
"They showed their quality in the second half, but for myself, getting on the scoresheet was good. I'm glad to get my account open nice and early, and hopefully it is the first of many."
Cameron was also full of praise for the occasion and the experience of facing one of Europe's biggest clubs.
"When you look through their team, the quality and the value of the players on the pitch compared to us was incredible.
"For us to stand up against that for large spells of the game and create chances shows what we can do. One of their players even asked why we run so much, and I think that is a testament to how hard we work and how structured we are off the ball."
With the Carabao Cup first round now approaching, Cameron is excited by the challenge of facing AFC Wimbledon.
"It's a little bit different because normally the league starts first, but we want to go there and win the game.
"It's a good tie and you could have had a lot worse. We want to impose ourselves on the game and come away with a win to progress."
The defender knows Newport County will face a tough test against League One opposition but believes the squad is ready.
"They're going to be a good team. They're going to be sharp and Johnnie Jackson's teams are always well organised.
"It's going to be a really good marker to see where we're at and where we need to improve, but we're looking forward to it."
Cameron also had a message for the Amber Army ahead of the new season.
"I think all season we need the fans to back us. It's a new group with new ambitions and we want a positive outlook on the season.
"Hopefully we can put on some really good performances that the fans can be proud of."
Watch Kyle Cameron's full interview below.
