Shrewsbury Town defender Ben Herd is “itching” to return to pre-season training – so he can help erase the disappointment of last season.

Town fell well short of expectations in 2007-8 as they stumbled to an 18th place finish in League Two.

Despite that campaign, bumper season ticket sales and the prospect of a first full season in charge for manager Paul Simpson has ensured the feel-good factor has remained at Oteley Road.

And Herd is now anxious to do his part to help ensure a more successful season on the pitch is secured.

“I’m itching to get back to football now and I’m ready for pre-season to start,” said the former Watford youngster.”Without saying we are going to do this or that, we want to put things right after last season.

“We have got a bit of a point to prove because last season wasn’t right and we need to give the fans something to cheer.

“They were different class and, to their credit, kept turning up home and away in good numbers even when we were struggling.

“Hopefully we can pay them back this season. I’m sure there will be some new faces and the manager will be able to stamp his authority from the start of the season for the first time.

Summer

“We had a taster of what he was about towards the end of last season and I was impressed.”

Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers marksman Richard Walker has emerged as a summer target for Shrewsbury.

Sources in the West Country suggest three League Two clubs – Gillingham and Notts County are the others – have made an enquiry about the forward.

Walker, who broke Town’s hearts with a brace in the 3-1 League Two play-off defeat at Wembley just over a year ago, has one year left on his contract at the Memorial Stadium but is surplus to requirements at Rovers.

The 30-year-old scored four times last season, all from the penalty spot, and has a renowned scoring track record in the lower leagues.