Ben Herd / Editor / 12 May 2010 / 1 Comments " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet View Market

Before Herdy bombs down the flank for Aldershot in the League Two play-offs, he speaks to Morecambe defender David Artell in the final edition of Ben's Banter...

"The highlight of Ben's Banter for me was when I asked a player, "What is your biggest pet hate?" "A Snake!" he answered. Who said footballers were thick!?"

Our final League game of the season was a disappointment as we succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of an in form Morecambe side. Yet again, I didn't make the trip up north, as my injury still isn't quite right. The Gaffer made a few changes to the side on Saturday, as I'm sure he wanted to rest players in preparation for our play-off games against Rotherham.

This is my last 'Ben's Banter' of the season and it is quite ironic that I have chosen betting.betfair.com old boy Dave Artell as the man in the firing line. I'd like to thank all of the players who have agreed to let me badger them for some answers. The highlight for me was when I asked a player, who shall remain nameless, "What is your biggest pet hate?"

"A Snake!" he answered.

Who said footballers were thick!?

*

So Dave, what did you make of the game on Saturday?

It was a fantastic atmosphere, there was a brass band playing, singers performing before the game and a capacity crowd of over 5,000. This was supposed to be Morecambe's farewell match to Christie Park, but as we have reached the play-offs, it was just the last Saturday game the Stadium will witness, as we move into a new ground from the start of next season. The game itself wasn't a great spectacle but I thought that we deserved the narrow victory. We knew before the game that a win against Aldershot would guarantee us a play-off position and that is how things turned out. We now have to deal with Dagenham over a two legged game.

How would you sum up your season, both as a club and personally?

It was our aim, as a squad, to get promoted this season. We knew that it was always going to be tough to clinch an automatic spot, so, more realistically it was probably always going to be via the play-offs. As I have said, we are moving into a new ground from next season, so what better way to start a new chapter for the club than to get promotion to League One. To finish fourth is a fantastic achievement for Morecambe, the manager and all of the lads deserve a lot of credit. From a personal point of view, I have played 40 games in a team that has finished fourth and I would like to feel that I have played my part in that. I did get dropped from the side just after the New Year, something that I didn't agree with, but I worked hard and regained my place. Overall, I have been pleased with my form.

Who did you vote for in your 'Players' player of the season award'?

Barry Roache, our goalkeeper. A couple of other lads could feel a little unfortunate that it wasn't them who won it, Craig Stanley played well as did Stuart Drummond, but Barry has been a real standout this season. He has certainly done himself no harm with his performances, as he is going to be out of contract in the summer and if he plays well in front of the cameras in the play-offs, then who knows where that might take him.

You are turning 30 later on this year, has it crossed your mind what you might do after football?

I am coming to the end of doing a science degree at Chester University, but I am not sure that I would like to go down the route of forensics. I am also doing my coaching badges; to stay in the game as a coach would be my ideal scenario, but I have been in the game long enough to know that nothing is guaranteed. With my degree I could possibly go into a teaching career or even join the police force. I haven't quite made up my mind as to my next step, but I have subconsciously given myself a year to decide.

Finally, who has had the biggest influence on your career?

My family. Mum and Dad have always supported me, since I was a boy, they have always been there to talk to and offer advice. I guess they have offered me certain stability in my career that has allowed me to basically just get on with it. As far as a coach goes, then I would say Keith Curle, he signed me for Mansfield and Chester and really taught me a lot which was brilliant as he was an England centre-half with a wealth of experience. I still speak to him to this day as he is QPR's assistant manager and he is never too busy to offer me advice, when I need it.

Football

Favourite Premier League Player? Wayne Rooney
Favourite player outside the Premier League? Lionel Messi
Manager you'd most like to work under? Jose Mourinho
Club you'd most like to play for? Arsenal

Best mate in Football? Darren Moss
Messiest eater? Jim Bentley
Biggest ladies man? Craig Stanley
Worse Dressed team-mate? Barry Roache

Non-football

Dream date? J-Lo
Favourite TV programme? Shameless
Favourite shop? Sainsbury's
Worst vice? Eating too many biscuits
Biggest pet hate? Rudeness!

50/50

Chinese or Curry? Both
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
BMW or Audi? BMW
Pro Evo or Fifa? Neither
Michael Buble or Akon? Neither

Tags: Aldershot, Ben Herd, Ben's Banter, League two football betting, League Two play-offs betting, Morecambe