In Profile... Nathan Benger of Rainworth Miners Welfare

Name: Nathan Benger

Position: Striker

Current Club: Rainworth Miners Welfare

 

Previous clubs: Matlock Town, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Belper Town, Heanor Town, Pinxton

 

Team supported growing up? Arsenal

 

Childhood hero? Alan Shearer, greatest goal scorer in the English game and now Harry Kane has gone to Germany he keeps that status. 

Biggest influence? My Dad. He drove me all over the country, turned up home and away, week in week out to support me and many times to tell me where I could improve. 

Favourite current player? Bukayo Saka. Being an Arsenal fan he’s just a special player and I love watching him one v one against a defender. 

Best ground you’ve played at? Pride Park, Derby

 

Best friend in football? Kieran Debrouwer

 

Best player you’ve played against & why? Roy Carroll. Only saying this because I managed to put 2 past him in a pre-season friendly and the trophies he has won.

Stranded on an island with 3 ex or current team mates. Who would you want with you and why? 
1. Kieran Debrouwer - whenever we see each other it’s like it’s always been and there’s always been an element of wanting the best for each other. 

2. Nick Hall - same as Keano above. Some of my most enjoyable football seasons were with Nick and Keano and that was more about off the pitch than on it. 

3. Gary Webster - another great friend in football. Nights out we’re always wild with him and always good fun. 

Your All time 5 a side team of players you have played with? 

1 Keeper: - Paul Pettinger - Great goalkeeper who played loads of games in the football league

1 Defender: - Aden Flint - He came on loan to Matlock would head a brick wall if needed. 

2 Midfielders: - Kieran Debrouwer - cheating here as Keano is a forward but 56 goals in NCEL and class bloke. 

Nick Hall - What a player. Could do it all, tackle, head, run with the ball his shooting probably let him down. Class bloke. 

1 Striker – Jamie Vardy - Got to be in because of what he’s achieved. Never stopped running and would terrorise defences.

Best moment of your career? Personally scoring from 25 yards against Chesterfield at their ground in the 3rd minute in a Derbyshire cup game. 

Team wise, winning the league with Heanor. 

Go to initiation song? I’ve never had one song I do every time. But if I was to pick one today it would be Wonderwall by Oasis.

 

Pre match meal? Scrambled egg on toast. My Dad used to try and make the best scrambled egg every Saturday.

Messi or Ronaldo? Messi

Thank you Nathan for taking time to answer the questions above and best of luck for the season.  

If you’re a player reading this and would like to be featuring on the blog. Please just drop me a message as I would love to feature you. 

Until the next one

Peace 

Luke @PL2NL