Dean Whitehead says he fulfilled a childhood dream by running out as captain of Oxford United.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who comes from Abingdon, was given the honour at Macclesfield last Saturday with club skipper Andy Crosby suspended.

And although Crosby seems certain to have the captaincy back when the U's face Rochdale in their last game of the season on Saturday, Whitehead admitted that it was a game he was never going to forget.

"It was absolutely brilliant and I did not expect it at all," he said.

"As a youngster, you dream about captaining your home-town club, but I never thought that I would do it so soon.

"On the way to the game, the gaffer (Graham Rix) had a little word with me and told me that I was going to be the captain.

"I just looked at him and laughed, because I couldn't believe it.

"The only thing that spoiled the day was the result, but apart from that, I loved every minute of it."

Whitehead, who will receive the supporters' player-of-the-year trophy before Saturday's match, admitted that he did not understand all the roles the captain had to perform, however, and was taken by surprise before the match.

"I have to be honest and say that I wasn't quite sure what I was doing," he added.

"When the referee had the captains in his room, he turned to me and said: 'You're not used to this are you?

"It was a great feeling to lead the side out though, although it was a little bit weird because it was up to me to gee players up, whereas I'm used to others doing that to me.

"I loved every minute of it, and would grab it with two hands straight away if it was offered to me again.

"But Crozzer is the captain, and he will lead the side out on Saturday, I know that."

Although United lost the match 2-1, and with it any chance of making the play-offs, Whitehead did get his captaincy career off to the best-possible start.

"I won the toss, which was a good start, and had remembered to ask Coxy (goalkeeper Simon Cox) in the warm-up if he wanted me to change ends or not, so I got that bit right!"

Rix said that giving the armband to Whitehead was reward for his performances over the past few months.

"I think he deserved it for the way he has played for me since I've been here," Rix said.

"He is obviously someone who the fans can relate to, and he was really chuffed when I told him and that made the decision even more worthwhile for me.

"I want people to be proud to play for the club, and I know Deano is.

"Crozzer is the club captain though, and, if selected, will have the armband back on Saturday."