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Award winning Ben Herd on the play offs, life at Aldershot and the mighty Spurs
Well, it's been an eventful last couple of weeks since I last wrote this blog, firstly we have secured our play-off place with one game still remaining, which is an achievement in it's self when you look at how relatively low our budget is compared to the likes of Shrewsbury and Bradford. As for who we will play, it is still very much up in the air and to be honest at this stage of the season it doesn't really matter who we play because there is no doubt about it, it's going to be two tough games on the path to Wembley. This will be my 3rd time in four seasons that I have been involved in the play-offs; I am hoping it is a case of third time lucky! Funnily enough I haven't actually played in a play-off semi-final, believe it or not, only the final in 2007. I hope I can reverse that trend in these games but with me being on the treatment table still it is very much touch and go, so if there is any Eileen Drewery's out there send your healing powers to me ASAP! At this stage of the season every club has its awards night which determines who has won various personal awards. I was completely blown away by receiving both of our awards; I really didn't have a clue that I had won 'Players player' and 'Supporters player' of the year accolades. Both of these trophies are sitting proudly in a cabinet at home. I would like to personally thank all of the Aldershot's fans for really getting behind me this season with your fantastic support and by actually having a song for me! I would also like to thank the lad's for voting for me because to receive the backing of you peers is very special also.
Winning those awards was obviously a great way to start the week but it got even better on Wednesday evening when my beloved Spurs finally clinched a Champions League spot, by beating City. Now, I am never nervous or physically shaking when I run out on the pitch but having to endure watching Tottenham play on Wednesday was absolute torture, if any one reading this is a Spurs fan then they will know what I mean when I say they really put you through an emotional rollercoaster! I was an absolute mess watching the game, even turning my phone off and watching it in the solitude of my front room, instead of the pub with my Brother, there is nothing worse than any ‘Gooner’ mates calling you if Spurs are ever losing, scumbags. After all of the torture I was put through I have to confess to being a bit emotional as we clinched 4th place, a truly fantastic achievement but knowing Tottenham we will mess it up in the qualifying round!
Whilst I am on the subject of the 'mighty Spurs', I think credit has to go to Harry Redknapp, what a superb job he has done by taking us from bottom of the league to Europe's top table, well done 'Arry'. The players themselves also deserve a lot of credit especially Michael Dawson who was player of the season and surely a must for the World Cup. One player who has caught the eye at times this season is Benoit Assou-Ekotto, funnily enough I was reading a recent article on the guy the other day where he basically says he plays football for the money and because simply put he is good at it but most certainly not his passion in life. I found this article quite refreshing, during my career I have come across all types of characters and when I did move back down south last season I did notice a more laid back approach from my team-mates, something that I have adopted to an extent and I really believe that it has benefited me on the pitch. Living in Shrewsbury and playing for them was a real pleasure but at times you do find yourself getting caught up in a 'gold fish bowl' and maybe I put too much pressure on myself in the past to perform. As they say “It takes all sorts".
Posted: Friday, May 7th, 2010 @ 10:05 am by Ben Herd
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