Ben Herd
Benjamin Alexander Herd (born 21 June 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is currently 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. 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. 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 was voted Aldershot Town's player of the season in 2010, and players' player of the season the following year. At the end of the 2012-13 season, as a consequence of the club entering administration, Herd was released. Dunstable Town. Herd signed for Southern League Premier Division side Dunstable Town in the summer of 2014, following the club's second promotion in a row from the Southern League Division One Central, immediately being handed the captaincy by manager Darren Croft. He made 27 league appearances during the 2014–2015 season, scoring eight  goals. Boreham Wood. Herd joined Boreham Wood in February 2015 and played a part in their promotion via the play-offs to the Conference Premier for the very first time. However, following the conclusion of the season, Herd left the club. Hemel Hempstead Town. After leaving Boreham Wood, Herd signed for Conference South side Hemel Hempstead Town in June 2015. St Albans City. After one season with Hemel Hempstead, Herd joined league counterparts St Albans City in May 2016 reuniting with his former Boreham Wood manager Ian Allinson. He remained at the club until the end of the 2018–19 season . Managerial career. In May 2019 Herd was named as the new manager of Hertford Town. Personal life. In the summer of 2009, Herd helped to coach Shropshire youngsters, along with teammates David Edwards, Gavin Cowan, Stuart Whitehead and Ben Davies.