Every team needs a heart beat, someone within the squad who is the main man, regardless of if they make the first 11 or not.

Over the years we have seen many players be this person, top level examples like Francesco Totti and Paulo Maldini in Italy have spent their whole lives with one club, while over here, we saw Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville dedicate 20 years to Manchester United.

Although it is harder these days to get that longevity with all the money and agents flooding the game, there are still players who really are the heart and soul of many clubs up and down the land.

The same can be said for the Championship, one of the most competitive leagues in the world, where every team in the division would love a player who represents these qualities.

With that in mind, FLW identifies FIVE Championship players who are the heart and soul of their football club.......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!

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Michael Duff - Burnley

The centre half is into his 12th season with the Clarets, and really represents everything good about the club as a whole.

Duff has been a loyal servant, but it is not just that what gets him in the squad, he is actually an excellent defender and all round footballer.

He has made well in excess of 300 appearances for the club, and even though he is now 38, he remains an integral part of what Sean Dyche has built at the club, and is loved by the Turf Moor faithful.

Jose Semedo - Sheffield Wednesday

He might not be a regular in the team, but Semedo is loved by the Hillsborough crowd, and for good reason.

He was an integral part of the team which won promotion from League One five seasons ago, and has gone on to establish himself as a firm favourite from Owls squads from the last 10 years.

His effort and commitment in the middle of the park epitomises his whole attitude towards the game, and it said everything about the man when fans dedicated a full away day to Semedo away at Nottingham Forest a few seasons ago.

While others take the plaudits this season, Semedo still embodies what it is to be an Owl.

Grant Leadbitter - Middlesbrough

The engine room behind Boro and their success this season, Leadbitter has been tremendous for Aitor Karanka's team all season.

His workrate is second to none in the middle, and he teams this with excellent on ball ability too.

He is a great striker of a dead ball, and leads by example when it comes to taking penalties in crunch situations. Leadbitter really does where his heart on his sleeve, and it is this quality which makes him a firm favourite up in the North East.

Tom Clarke - Preston North End

The big defender is a commanding presence, and is a big reason North End have done well enough this season to secure a comfortable mid table finish.

Formerly of Huddersfield, Clarke has gone on to make well over 100 appearances for Preston since his move in 2013, and has quickly become known for his gutsy all action displays.

Clarke is also a bit of an unsung hero, and it can be argued Preston would be a lot worse off without his presence along the back line.

David Vaughan - Nottingham Forest

The former Blackpool midfielder has been excellent as part of a Forest team which has done well to survive following a transfer embargo and a key injury to start striker Brit Assombalonga.

Vaughan is top of the stats when it comes to tackles made in the entire league, and really sets a fine example for those around him.

With the more attacking and arguably talent Henri Lansbury alongside him getting more of the plaudits, it is Vaughan who is the man who is the heartbeat of the team.

Championship fans, do you agree? Who is the heart and soul of your club? Have we missed anyone out? Let us know in the comments!