Ben Herd
Benjamin Alexander Herd is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is manager of Hertford 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 for Aldershot Town before dropping into non-league football.
Playing career
Watford
Born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 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, 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.File:Herd1.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Herd playing in Aldershot Town's 1–0 defeat to Port Vale at Vale Park in 2010.
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 lost 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 only one league match through suspension.
The 2008–09 season started well for Herd, but a suspension meant that he was replaced by Darren Moss. Moss maintained a rich vein of form, resulting in Herd making only five further appearances after mid-November; he was released at the season's end.