Experienced goalkeeper Ben Heald joined from Conwy Borough in August. So far, he has played ten games for 1876 and kept five clean sheets and had a spell where he went 440 minutes without conceding a goal. We recently talked to him about the season so far and his career in football.

How would you assess the season so far?
I think the season so far has been very good overall. There has been the one obvious bump in the road in our recent match vs Bodedern, but I think the response in the games since has been really positive. There’s lots of football still to be played and with the quality we have both on the field and on the sidelines, we can achieve good things this season.

What has been your favourite match of the season so far and why?
My favourite match so far was the match against Menai Bridge. It wasn’t our best performance by a long way, but to go on and win 3-1 after conceding a late equaliser shows the character we have in this team.

Over your career, what have been your favourite venues to play at?
I’ve got some great memories from lots of grounds including Holyhead, Y Morfa Conwy, Farrar Road and Porthmadog. I always enjoyed playing at Rhyl as a visiting keeper. Having played for them for a short time, I was sure to get some stick going back there again, and their fans never disappoint.

Growing up, which goalkeepers did you look up to and why?
The goalkeepers I admired the most were Buffon, Schmeichel and Van Der Saar. Before them it was Southall.

Apart from football, what are your favourite sports?
I’m not really into many other sports. I like the occasional round of golf in the summer, but between playing football and coaching my son's team, it doesn’t leave much time for other sports. I’m a bit of a shark at bowling though!

Ben Heald is sponsored by Homme Menswear