McElmeel, who has been a key part of the Wellmen’s rise to third in the table having been named club skipper by boss John Haseldin in the summer, has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and damaged his femur and could be out of action for around nine months once he undergoes surgery on the injury.

Speaking to the Flintshire Evening Leader, McElmeel is backing his team-mates to kick on in the second-half of the season in his absence.

“It’s extremely frustrating, especially as it’s an injury I’ve suffered before when I was 17, but that was my other knee, albeit a more complicated injury and it put me out for nearly three years,” he explained to the Leader.

“It’s a massive blow for myself and I’m absolutely gutted I can’t contribute anymore this season.

“However, it’s been a very good season so far and looking back we’ve dropped quite a few points on the way we shouldn’t have.

“It was important we didn’t sit on the success of last season and we’ve aimed to finish as high as possible coming into such a competitive league.

“With the lads in the changing room they can finish as high as they want to.

“Johnny has acted quickly to bring in quality players to counter the loss of myself and Steve Lewis, so I’m sure we’ll push on and have a successful second-half to the campaign.”

McElmeel took over the captain’s armband from talisman and top scorer Sam Jones, who left in the summer to join Bangor City, and the central midfielder stressed that he is not your traditional leader.

“I’m not the usual captain who shouts and bawls at the other players,” he said.

“But I like to bring the team together as much as possible and sometimes that means having a laugh at the right moments and integrating the team.

“It’s a good changing room at Holywell and the senior players help the younger lads settle in. I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve thrived so much.”

Manager John Haseldin added, "Losing Tom with this type of injury is a huge blow for everyone at the club.

He's been my player of the year the past 2 seasons and this year he had worked harder than ever on his fitness and really raised his game even further.

He's thrived on the responsibility of being captain and jumped at the chance when the opportunity to captain the club came available in the summer.

He has high standards of himself and he certainly has never let me down in 3 years. To have a player that is technically brilliant, strong in the air and gives 100% with a fantastic attitude as well is a managers dream and I haven't seen anything better than him in the league this year.

Tom will remain as club captain ,he has mine and the club's support through this tough process of recovery and will make sure we do everything possible to help get him get back on the pitch as soon as possible!

Steve Thomas will take over the armband duties on match days for the rest of the season.

We have a really strong squad with a few coming back from injury, the challenge now to them is to all step up again and make sure we continue to push on in what's been a very impressive first half of the season.

The Club would like to wish Tom a speedy recovery and can't wait to see him back wearing the captain's arm band in a Holywell Town Shirt!

(Thanks to the Flintshire Evening Leader for use of the article)