5 minute read
Ben Close
CLOSE QUARTERS WORDS: Abi Rodwell
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THE 2021/22 SEASON SIGNIFIES A NEW ERA FOR DONCASTER ROVERS’ NEW NUMBER EIGHT, WHOSE MOVE SOME 200 MILES NORTH OF THE CLUB HE WAS BORN OVERLOOKING AND GREW UP SUPPORTING IS SOMETHING TO BE ADMIRED.
Born overlooking Fratton Park, a young Ben Close used to pay to watch Portsmouth play. In fact, he was in the stands on the day Pompey famously won promotion to the Premier League in 2003 under Harry Redknapp, as well as being amongst the 89,000 at Wembley as an 11-year-old for their memorable FA Cup win in 2008.
Six years later he was making his debut for his boyhood club, before going on to win at Wembley with Pompey himself in the 2019 EFL Trophy Final - a day that Close has previously described as "the best day of his life."
There's no doubt that the Portsmouth-born midfielder has memories to cherish from his time on the south coast. Pompey were his team of choice, but this season marks a new era for the 25-year-old, a fresh start.
In Richie Wellens’ appointment to the Keepmoat Stadium, a new challenge awaited for Close – who was Rovers’ first summer signing ahead of the new season - and it’s one he’s ready to grasp with both hands.
"Coming here to Doncaster naturally felt like the right next step in my career," says Close, when asked about his move to Rovers.
"I'm settling in really well, it's been a good pre-season and for me personally it's been a pretty good start to the season in the sense that I've at least been playing games.
"In previous seasons that hasn't been the case. I'm really happy to be back playing and hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season.
"The lads have made it really easy for me here, it's a good group with a great dynamic. When you've been at one club for so long, you can't underestimate being welcomed like I have."
Having made almost 200 appearances for his boyhood club, Close saw his chances limited last season which paved the way for him to consider his options, so when a new opportunity arose 200 miles north, there was only one destination for the midfielder.
"The manager showed great interest in me as a player," he continues.
"I really agree with the way in which he wants to play and I feel he can improve me as a player. He was an excellent player who played in a similar position to me so can have a positive impact on my career from here.
"The way in which he gets his team playing football was a massive reason for me coming to Rovers. It just felt right and everything combined made it an easy decision."
In leaving Fratton Park, a 14-year association with his boyhood club ended, a club that understandably holds a special place in his heart.
"I always knew the day would come when I would leave Portsmouth. It's very rare that players only have one club for the entirety of their career these days.
"It felt like the right time to move, Doncaster felt like the right move for me and it was something I always wanted to happen as soon as I knew of the interest."
It's no surprise then that he is looking forward to facing his former club today, and he'd love nothing more than to “get "It was obviously a fixture that I looked for straight away when the fixtures were released," he admits.
"I'm incredibly excited to play them to be honest, I'll always look forward to playing against them. Hopefully I'm going to be playing this afternoon, I really want to help the team produce a good performance and get a good result. We want the three points.
"It would be nice to get one over on the club that I grew up playing for where I still have so many friends and family."
When asked who his family would be supporting on Saturday, he smiles.
"Doncaster, there's no doubt about that," Close responds. "They're all Doncaster Rovers fans now!"
Now the aim for the 25-year-old is regular first-team football,as he looks to play a key role in Rovers’ season as Richie Wellens’ side look to work their way up the League One table.
"Playing regular first-team football was massive for me, that was really important when I was looking to move. I played a lot of games for Portsmouth and it was only last season when I wasn't involved as much. As a footballer that's never a nice feeling and you can't go through season after season not playing regular football.
"It's my intention to play every week for this club and I feel like I can do that if I stay fit, so I'm determined to put in good performances each week at this level to prove myself.
"Ultimately, as players, we want hundreds of league games under our belt when we finish our career and I'm no different."
With League One arguably as competitive as it has ever been, Close is aware of the task ahead for Rovers, who are looking to get their first win of the campaign this afternoon.
“There are no easy games in this division. I think this year is the toughest it’s been for a long time. There are lots of big clubs with big budgets and big players. It’ll be the most competitive League One I’ve played in because of that.
“We’ve been disappointed not to get the results we’ve wanted so far, but some of the spells that we’ve had in the recent games have been very good and we’re starting to create more chances which is positive.
“It’ll take time but as long as we show that we’re going in the right direction, performances and results will start to come.
“It’s not going to happen overnight, we need to be patient but we also know as players that we need results. We understand that and will keep working hard on the training pitch to ensure that the results come.”
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