Rob Haworth reckons his experience could be a decisive factor for Tooting & Mitcham this season after being installed as new Terrors captain last week.

Striker Haworth was unveiled as one of boss Mark Beard’s key summer signings, arriving from last season’s Ryman Premier champions Dartford.

And with Beard looking to put together a youthful line-up at Imperial Fields, the 34-year-old former Carshalton Athletic and Sutton United man is prepared to shoulder the load.

Haworth said: “I am really looking forward to it.

“I think with my experience and know-how at this level I can prove a big asset.

“I am pretty confident that I can get my message across to the rest of the team, and I know Mark is putting together a side with a real mindset to work hard.

“The youngsters will know what is expected of them and it will be my job to remind them of that.”

Haworth, who also has spells at Fulham, Gravesend and the Metropolitan Police under his belt, was released by Dartford at the end of the last campaign despite notching 11 goals.

And the striker still feels he has plenty to offer.

Haworth added: “I was a bit surprised to be released as I was certainly looking to stay on.

“I had a good season last year and I was looking forward to giving the Blue Square South a shot.

“But the club told me they were going to let me go.

“I don’t hold a grudge and it was a case of finding the next challenge.

“I had a spell with Kevin Cooper at the Met and I knew Mark from even earlier at Millwall so as soon as they rang me and said they were interested it was a pretty easy decision for me to be honest. ”