Horton handed the Poachers armband

The 18-year-old has been acting as stand-in skipper in the absence of Duran Reynolds.

Poachers boss Gary Edgley has now given him the role on a more permanent basis as Reynolds is likely to be out until February as his rehabilitation from an injury he suffered in August is taking longer than expected.

Edgley is full of praise for Horton, who has shown a maturity beyond his years since arriving at the club.

“Danny has been brilliant since he joined us from Lincoln City,” he said.

“He’s very professional at training and in games.

“Sometimes we forget how young he is because of the way he carries himself on the pitch.

“He has a lot of respect from the players, which is crucial when you captain a side.

“Also he has fully committed himself to us, turning down offers from higher-level teams to remain at Boston, a loyalty that can be rare to find in modern day football.”

Horton’s first game as permenant skipper will see his side host Harborough Town at the DWB Stadium on Saturday afternoon (KO 3pm).

The Poachers bounced back from the previous week’s 6-2 defeat at Rothwell Corinthians to take a valuable point with a goalless draw at Leicester Nirvana at the weekend.

That result saw Edgley’s side remain in 18th place in the 20-team UCL Premier, with nine points from 15 games.

They will face a Harborough side who sit 15th with 15 points from as many games.

Edgley has strengthened his squad with the addition of former Peterborough United striker Antonio Jaquite.

The 19-year-old should add a physical presence to the Poachers’s forward line, and he has made two appearances for Grantham Town’s first team this season.

He was also part of the Posh side who were EFL Futsal Trust Programme national champions last year.