It took a visit to Goodison Park this week for Phil Jagielka to come to terms with the fact that he is the new Everton club captain.
The defender has known since April that he will be taking over the coveted armband – but the pride and responsibility finally hit home when he was invited to a make special appearance at an unveiling on Tuesday afternoon.
Located in the Park End of the ground is a wooden plaque listing every Everton captain, scribed with their name and length of service as skipper.
Jagielka has now been added to that roll of honour, with the 30-year-old standing alongside Blues Giants Dixie Dean, Brian Labone, Howard Kendall and Kevin Ratcliffe.
When the curtain was pulled back at a low-key ceremony, a quick glance at the board and the England international recognised just how great his company is.
“I’ve not been in here [the Captains Table suite] before and when I got invited in to see my name up on the board I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Jagielka explained to evertontv.
“But obviously walking in and unveiling my name underneath Phil’s [Neville] from the previous years and all the other legends who have been captain before, it’s a massive honour.
“The staff around the place are always talking about past players, past captains and it’s nice now that my name will be up there – hopefully for quite a few seasons.
“As I say, it’s a massive honour to get my name put up there with so many Everton legends.”
Other names on the list of Club captains include Alan Stubbs and Duncan Ferguson – both former skippers who are now back working at Everton in coaching capacities.
Jagielka is very much concentrating on the here and now but admits that a similar path could beckon later in his career, especially having been connected to Everton for so long.
The defender – a Blue since 2007 – added: “Quite a few of the boys have returned to coach the reserves or a little bit younger. Possibly one day I might be joining them in that sort of role. It’s nice to see players who mean a lot to the club come back and help out.
“I’m still here, still playing and hopefully I can help out as well.”
Jagielka’s name on the board is etched under that of Phil Neville, the occupier of the armband for six seasons prior to his Manchester United return this summer.
Despite their differing personalities, Jagielka says he could not have asked for a better person to try and emulate.
“Me and Nev are quite different characters, both on and off the pitch, but as far as a captain, he did everything right,” added the former Sheffield United man.
“He led by example and everyone followed. That’s something that I need to try and adapt my style to.”