Coyne joined Glory in 2002 and has played 89 matches including the 2003/04 NSL Championship winning side.

After a season in Holland with Den Haag he returned to Perth for the start of the Hyundai A-League.

The athletic defender had a stellar 2007/08 season resulting in a call-up to the Socceroos training camp.

Out of contract and in demand, Coyne chose to extend his stay in Perth for a further two years, rejecting the approaches of several rival clubs eager to secure his signature.

“To play for your home town team is a great feeling and to be given the honour of leading a club with such a long and successful history is something I’m extremely proud of,” Coyne said.

“I’ll do everything to ensure this is a successful new era for the Glory.”

After serving the club with distinction for five seasons, Coyne has enthusiastically endorsed the current crop of players as more than capable of achieving the club’s goal of a finals place this season.

“The way I see it is what has happened in the past can’t be changed so no point looking back, it’s time to move on and look forward so why not start that now?” said Coyne.

“This is a fresh team with a fresh outlook and we’re committed to achieving our goals of making the top four in the first instance and then onto bigger and better things from there.

“We are a very tight knit group and share a common goal. I look forward to leading a dedicated group of lads and bringing successful times to all of the loyal Glory supporters.”

Coach Dave Mitchell believes Coyne has the right mix of tenacity and diplomacy to shoulder the added responsibility that comes with the captaincy and is confident the defender will blossom in the role.

“Jamie is a terrific player, a Perth boy and loves the club. He has shown his dedication and loyalty to Perth Glory and that’s the sort of person I wanted leading the team,” Mitchell said.

“I think he has the right character on and off the field and will do a great job for us as captain.

“He wants to take the job on with everything he has and I’m sure we’ll see the growth of a great leader this season and beyond.”

The new responsibilities won’t be totally foreign to Coyne who captained Perth on several occasions last season and also throughout the 2008 Pre-Season Cup competition.

“We are lucky to have a lot of leaders at the club and I know I will be able to call on their support throughout the season,” said Coyne.

“I’m really looking forward to the season kicking off and will be out there to help the team in any way I can and to prove that the coach has made the right decision.”

Jamie's brother, recently called-up Socceroo Chris Coyne, was named captain of his club, Colchester United, in England's League One a fortnight ago.


PROFILE
Name: Jamie Coyne
Number: 4
Position: Defender
DOB: 2 January 1981
Height: 187cm
Weight: 84kg
Games: 89 (Hyundai A-League: 56)