Benjamin Alexander (Ben) 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.
Watford Herd began his career as a trainee at
Watford. 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.
Shrewsbury Town
In June 2005, Herd signed for
League Two club
Shrewsbury Town,
[3] 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.
Herd playing in Aldershot's 1-0 defeat to
Port Vale at
Vale Park.
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.
[4]
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.
Aldershot Town
After receiving interest from numerous clubs, Herd signed a two year contract with
League Two 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.
According to this he is a full back rather than a centre half. We already have Christie and Clarke. Can't see why we would want another right back.