Ben Herd / Ben Herd / 28 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Aldershot's right-back receives a warm welcome on his return to Shrewsbury and catches up with an ex-team-mate who has taken League Two by storm this season...

"In football, you have to seize an opportunity and that is exactly what I did at the beginning of the season."

Returning to my former club Shrewsbury on Saturday was a bit of a surreal experience.

It was great to see friends I haven't seen since I left in the summer. I was bowled over by the reception I received from the Salop faithful, it was a really humbling experience. As for the game itself, everything was going to plan for the first half hour, we were playing some really nice stuff and carving Shrewsbury open, but for the second week running, we failed to score that vital second goal, which may have killed the game off.

The turning point of the game was the sending off of our centre-half Dave Winfield. It was a double whammy because, from the resulting free-kick, Shrewsbury went 2-1 up. Dave Hibbert is my opposition player for this week, although he didn't play in Saturday's game he has certainly endeared himself to the Shrewsbury faithful with his tireless work-rate, not to mention eight goals already this season.

So Dave, what did the game look like from the stands?

Well, for the first half an hour I was impressed with Aldershot and how they approached the game, playing a real passing game which, in all honesty, we struggled to contain. Fortunately for us, we managed to deny Aldershot a second goal. The sending off definitely changed the game in our favour and after the break we didn't really come under too much threat and made our numerical advantage tell. It was nice to see Nathan Elder get on the score sheet after coming in for a bit of stick.

The expectation levels at the Pro Star Stadium seem to be as high as ever. What do you expect from this season?

I've read a few of your columns and a few teams have said promotion, well, we are exactly the same. We as players want to ply our trade at the highest level possible, so the next step on the football pyramid is League 1. If it's in the play-off's then so be it but after experiencing heartache at Wembley last season, the automatic places seem more logical.

What is the secret behind your transformation in form this season?

I went away in the summer and really worked hard to get my body right for this campaign. I haven't played without pain for about a year, so I went to see this specialist, Ronan McCarthy, in London and he has been a massive help. I have scored eight goals this season and it is purely down to hard work and believing in myself. Sometimes in football, you have to seize an opportunity and that is exactly what I did at the beginning of the season.

Preston bought you when you were only 19. With hindsight do you wish you had stayed at Vale and matured as a player?

Yes and no. On the one hand it was a great insight into seeing what is required at Championship level and working with a good manager like Billy Davies. But I would have probably played more first team games at Vale and that may have helped my development. One thing is for sure, I want to get back to that level.

Are there any good young players coming through at Shrewsbury that the fans should be excited about?

Will Richards and Connor Goldson. Will is a tough tackling central midfielder who is really coming on this season. Connor is only 16 and is like a young Rio Ferdinand, a big central defender who has impressed me a lot.


Football

Favourite Premier League Player? Wayne Rooney
Favourite player outside the Premier League? Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Manager you'd most like to work under? Sir Alex Ferguson
Club you'd most like to play for? Manchester United or Barcelona, not too fussed!

Best mate at the club? Now you have gone, Kelvin Langmead
Messiest eater? Steve Leslie, he eats with his beak!
Biggest ladies man? Joss Labadie - well he thinks he is!
Who's best at putting away the pints? Tale of two Centre halves- Kelvin Langmead can't and Graham Coughlan definitely can!

Non-football

Dream date? Cheryl Cole
Favourite TV programme? The Inbetweeners
Favourite shop? All Saints
Worst vice? Untidiness
Biggest pet hate? Old people driving

50/50

Meat or fish? Meat
Wine or beer? Beer
Blondes or brunettes? Blondes, as my Mrs is!
"Friends" or "The Office"? Not fussed
PS3 or newspaper? Newspaper
Frank Sinatra or Fifty Cent? I'm going to have to say Frank

Tags: Aldershot Town, Barcelona, Ben Herd, Ben's Banter, Football betting tips, League 1 Football Betting Odds, Manchester United, Shrewsbury Town