FCUM Players

Player Profile ~ Ben Deegan



Player Information
Name	Ben Deegan
Player Sponsor	Under The Boardwalk - Left click to link to website

Kit Sponsor(s)	PB Army

Position	Forward
Date of birth	-
Place of birth	-
Previous clubs
Favourite club
All Seasons
Total Appearances	45
Goals	12
Yellow cards	10
Red cards	2
Profile
Ben Deegan It took less than a week to convince Ben Deegan that his decision to join FC United was the right one. The 21-year-old striker scored a second half hat-trick on his debut against Leek CSOB and just a few days later he was on a plane to South Korea to play in front of 23,000 people. While the Wythenshawe lad admits the pre-season trip to Asia would have been enough of an incentive to join, the Manchester United fan would have been just as happy to be running out at Atherton such was his desire to be part of the Gigg Lane revolution. �I signed for the club and, two training sessions later, I was on a plane to Korea playing in front of 23,000 people � it was amazing. Korea was unbelievable and a great experience. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one I will never forget. �It was a great incentive to join and, after that had happened, I knew I was at the right place. I just hope, as the club gets bigger and bigger, it�s not a one-off and we are playing in stadiums like that in years to come.� When Deegan joined, he was no stranger to FC United fans after scoring in Ashton United�s 2-1 victory over Margy�s men at Hurst Cross during the Christmas 2008 fixture. While he may have left the travelling supporters with a sinking feeling that day, it is those same fans that, not for the first time in the club�s short history, played a huge part in a player wanting to join. �I�ve always been a United fan and as soon as saw FC United started I used to follow them in the papers and read all about them,� said Deegan. �The thing that always used to amaze me was the fans that followed the club. I remember playing against FC for Ashton last year, the day after Boxing Day, and the fans they brought with them was incredible. �We won 2-1 that day and I managed to score but it was the travelling support that really struck me. Back then I was obviously looking from the outside in � now I�m on the inside, it�s even better.� He added: �I didn�t really know the manager but I got a phone call from a friend of mine during the summer who said he was interested in me and it went from there. As soon as I heard I knew I wanted to join. To play on a pitch like Gigg Lane and in an atmosphere like this was just too good to turn down. �At Ashton we�d get between 100 and 200 fans � now I�ve got 2,000 screaming me on. It�s unbelievable. It really spurs you on and makes you want to try that little bit extra. Some players can be overawed by it but it doesn�t bother me. I just look forward to playing all the time and just can�t wait to get out on the pitch. �It�s the fans that have been the big difference to be honest. The playing side hasn�t been that much of a change, except I can�t believe how relaxed the club is.� Deegan started out with Altrincham Youth and, after a successful second season, signed professional forms with the Robins. But the hitman struggled to break into the Conference outfit�s first team and ended up joining our old North West Counties rivals, Flixton. After less than half a season at Valley Road, he was on the move, going back up a step to the UniBond Premier League with Ashton United. A hamstring injury hampered his progress initial, ruling him out for two months, but Marginson had seen enough to bring the former Lincoln trialist to the club in the summer of 2009 as a replacement for the prolific Kyle Wilson, who was snapped up by League Two�s Macclesfield Town. Trying to fill Wilson�s boots � the scorer of an incredible 24 goals in 32 appearances last season � is a daunting one, but does not faze Deegan. �I know Kyle did really well but I haven�t put myself under any pressure. Strikers always get judged on goals but if I work hard and the team win the league that�s all I really care about. �I�m not an out-and-out striker. If I get a chance, I�d like to think I�ll take it but I�ve never been a prolific goalscorer. I just play for the team; I�ll make runs, hold the ball up, get flick-ons, battle for every header and give defenders as hard a time as possible. If the team wins, I�m happy.� And Deegan, who works at a window and conservatory manufacturers, fully expects FC United to be challenging for honours after the club�s two seasons in the UniBond. He said: �I�ve played at this level for three years now and I know any team can beat another on their day. We want to be in the pack all season and get promotion at the end. That�s got to be the aim and I don�t see why we can�t do it. �We�ve got a great young squad here but also a number of experienced players like Chaddy and Si Carden. It�s a great mix.� If the tattoo-laden Deegan is adamant that United can be challenging for honours come April, then the new recruit is equally emphatic that he is not non-league�s answer to David Beckham. �I don�t think so,� laughed Deegan. �I�m not quite that bad yet. I started having it done about three months ago and it�s all down my left arm. It�s just something personal to me; there�s a picture of my grandma who died, the Star of David because one side of the family was Jewish, and just other memories.� If Deegan continues the way he has started with the Reds then, by the time the ink dries, he will already have gone a long way to becoming another favourite among the FC United faithful.