Ben Herd
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Alexander Herd (born 21 June 1985) is an English
footballer who plays as a full back for League Two
side Aldershot Town
.
Starting his Football League
career with Watford
in 2003, he made his name at Shrewsbury Town
between 2005 and 2009. In July 2009 he signed with Aldershot Town.
. He signed his first professional contract with the Championship
club in March 2003, but was released two years later, having never played a game for the club.
club Shrewsbury Town
, following a recommendation from Herd's former Watford manager Ray Lewington. He made his Shrewsbury début on 6 August in a 1–0 defeat at home to Rochdale
. He was almost ever-present for Shrewsbury in his first season with the club.
In the 2006–07
season injuries restricted Herd to 31 league appearances. However he was a late inclusion in the Shrewsbury side for the League Two play-off final at Wembley
, after Luke Jones
picked up an injury in the warm-up. Shrewsbury went on to lose the game 3–1. He signed a fresh two year contract at the end of the season.
In the 2007–08
season, Herd was again almost ever-present, missing just one league match through suspension.
The 2008–09 season started well for Herd, with the wing back in superb form, but a suspension meant that he was replaced by Darren Moss
. Moss maintained a rich vein of form, resulting in Herd playing just five times after mid-November and getting released at the season's end. Herd was very disappointed that his contract would not be renewed, so he posted a goodbye and thank you message to the fans on the blue and amber forum.
side Aldershot Town
in July 2009, to his great relief. He won Aldershot Town Player of the Season in 2010. The prestigious award was presented to him on the 1st May 2010 against Lincoln City. The following season Ben was voted Players' Player of the Season and received the award prior to Aldershot's home match against Rotherham.
youngsters, along with teammates David Edwards
, Gavin Cowan
, Stuart Whitehead
and Ben Davies
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who plays as a full back for League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
.
Starting his Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
career with Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in 2003, he made his name at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
between 2005 and 2009. In July 2009 he signed with Aldershot Town.
Watford
Herd began his career as a trainee at WatfordWatford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. He signed his first professional contract with the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club in March 2003, but was released two years later, having never played a game for the club.
Shrewsbury Town
In June 2005, Herd signed for League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, following a recommendation from Herd's former Watford manager Ray Lewington. He made his Shrewsbury début on 6 August in a 1–0 defeat at home to Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
. He was almost ever-present for Shrewsbury in his first season with the club.
In the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season injuries restricted Herd to 31 league appearances. However he was a late inclusion in the Shrewsbury side for the League Two play-off final at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, after Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is an English footballer who plays for Kidderminster Harriers. He plays in the position of central defence but can also operate at right back...
picked up an injury in the warm-up. Shrewsbury went on to lose the game 3–1. He signed a fresh two year contract at the end of the season.
In the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season, Herd was again almost ever-present, missing just one league match through suspension.
The 2008–09 season started well for Herd, with the wing back in superb form, but a suspension meant that he was replaced by Darren Moss
Darren Moss
Darren Michael Moss is a Wales under-21 international footballer currently without a club.-Career:Moss started his career as a trainee at Chester. He made his début for the club back in November 1998, in Chester's 2-1 loss against Brentford...
. Moss maintained a rich vein of form, resulting in Herd playing just five times after mid-November and getting released at the season's end. Herd was very disappointed that his contract would not be renewed, so he posted a goodbye and thank you message to the fans on the blue and amber forum.
Aldershot Town
After receiving interest from numerous clubs, Herd signed a two year contract with League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
in July 2009, to his great relief. He won Aldershot Town Player of the Season in 2010. The prestigious award was presented to him on the 1st May 2010 against Lincoln City. The following season Ben was voted Players' Player of the Season and received the award prior to Aldershot's home match against Rotherham.
Personal life
In the summer of 2009, Herd helped to coach ShropshireShropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
youngsters, along with teammates David Edwards
David Edwards (footballer)
David Alexander Edwards is an English-born Welsh international footballer who plays as a midfielder for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He is known for his energetic runs and work rate.-Early life:...
, Gavin Cowan
Gavin Cowan
Gavin Cowan is a German-born English footballer who playas a centre-back for Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity.He has notably played as a professional in the Football League for Shrewsbury Town. He has also played for Braintree Town, Canvey Island, Nuneaton Borough, Kidderminster...
, Stuart Whitehead
Stuart Whitehead
Stuart Whitehead is an English footballer who plays for AFC Telford United. He plays as a right-back or centre-back.-Career:Born in Bromsgrove, Whitehead began his career at his hometown club Bromsgrove Rovers...
and Ben Davies
Ben Davies (footballer)
Benjamin James Davies is an English footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Derby County.-Early career:...
.