Midfielder Smith targets 'Ideal' Robins switch

BEN SMITH says that signing for Cheltenham Town would be an "ideal move" for him.

The midfielder has joined the Robins for pre-season training and is expected to feature in tomorrow's friendly against Bishop's Cleeve.

Smith, 30, has been offered a new contract on lower wages by Hereford United, where he was club captain, but he believes it is the right time to move on and is hoping a deal can be done to take him to the Abbey Business Stadium.

"From a personal point of view it would be ideal, so we will see what happens over the next few weeks," Smith said.

"I live in Worcester so it's only 25 minutes down the road. The manager (Martin Allen) invited me to train and we will have a look at things, see how it goes and have chat as pre-season goes on.

"Whether I sign for Cheltenham or not, it's good for me as I need to be training and keeping myself ticking over."

Smith played a key role in Hereford's promotion to League One at the end of the 2007-08 campaign, but was unable to prevent them suffering an immediate return to League Two.

He almost joined Cheltenham in January 2007, but opted to rejoin Hereford after leaving Weymouth.

"I was pretty close to coming to Cheltenham a couple of years ago and it was between them and Hereford," he said.

"I joined Hereford because I knew the club and I had worked with the manager (Graham Turner) before and I felt comfortable with that.

"It was the right decision because we had a great season getting promoted to League One. Last season wasn't ideal, but overall I enjoyed both my spells at Hereford.

"I don't regret going there, but unless they come back to me with another offer, which I don't envisage happening now, it's probably time for me to move and look somewhere else."

Allen said he was keen to capture Smith, but he had other midfield candidates.

"Ben is one a number of players and there will be a couple of others coming in next week," Allen said.

"But it would be good for us to get him here. He is a good passer, has had a good career and has a good attitude.

"He is a good, intelligent man, who is doing a sports management degree to get a masters. He has been a captain, played in a promotion- winning team and offers something we don't have, so I'd like to sign him.

"We will have to see how the finances are to see if we can do it."

● Training pictures, Page 39