Roy Winters has been named Bristol's club captain for the 2009-10 season – and says he is "massively honoured" to take the role.

The 33-year-old former England lock has made 95 appearances in four seasons at Bristol since joining from Harlequins and is a well-respected member of the squad.

Head coach Paul Hull will also name a team captain to work alongside Winters before the club's Championship campaign kicks off in September.

Winters said: "I am massively honoured to take on the role of club captain.

"When I look back over the last four years and see the captains I have played under here, Matt Salter and Joe El Abd, I consider them both to be great leaders.

"So to be put up anywhere near those guys is a great honour for me."

One of the key responsibilities of Winters' role will be to maintain the good link Bristol Rugby's players have established with the club's supporters over recent seasons.

"I've come from a background in rugby where you mingle with the supporters – and it's vitally important that there is that link," added Winters.

"The supporters support our wages, they stick by us through thick and thin and it has always been second nature to me to thank them for their commitment at the end of every game.

"It chucks it down at the Memorial Stadium – or even hundreds of miles away at Newcastle or Leeds – and we still have a lot of people coming to support us."

Hull said he will make a decision on who will skipper the team towards the end of Bristol's pre-season programme.

"Having spoken to previous captains such as Joe and Matt, it became clear that the captaincy is a big job and that there are definite benefits in dividing up the role," he said.