I remember Cotchin saying he would love to wear the 17, now he wants to keep the 9. I'm fine with him keeping the 9, but why say you want the 17 and what it means etc if you don't want it?
FWIW I think the board will approve he wear 9, but then what will be interesting is what happens with 17.
In any case, my opinion is that 17 be retired and not worn again. Have it on the guernsey of the captain, on the front like the example I posted earlier, and let that be it.