Ben aims to repay faith of Town fans
Payback time beckons for Ben Davies – or at least that's what he's hoping. Payback time beckons for Ben Davies – or at least that's what he's hoping. Shrewsbury's midfielder and dead ball specialist watched on in agony from the Wembley dugout two years ago as a 3-1 defeat to Bristol Rover ruined Town's big day in the capital. A ruptured Achilles sustained in the closing stages of the semi-final victory at MK Dons a week previous meant Davies was forced to sit out that occasion. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star Support Shrewsbury Town here
Payback time beckons for Ben Davies – or at least that's what he's hoping.
Shrewsbury's midfielder and dead ball specialist watched on in agony from the Wembley dugout two years ago as a 3-1 defeat to Bristol Rover ruined Town's big day in the capital.
A ruptured Achilles sustained in the closing stages of the semi-final victory at MK Dons a week previous meant Davies was forced to sit out that occasion.
And he has not forgotten the depth of goodwill he received during the long road to recovery as he prepares for redemption in Saturday's League Two play-off final against Gillingham.
"I want to win promotion, not just for me but for the fans," said the 27-year-old.
"I will never forget the people who stood by me through the injury.
"The fans were fantastic with me, the old gaffer (Gary Peters) was brilliant and the new gaffer (Paul Simpson), when he came in, knew what I'd been through and was brilliant for me.
"I've got a lot of people to repay and I think that putting in a good performance and helping the team to win promotion will hopefully go a bit of way to doing that."
Davies admitted there were times in the immediate aftermath to that injury whether he wondered if he would ever play again, let alone be preparing for a Wembley return just two years later.
"My first thought was that, with such a serious injury, I might not get back playing," he revealed.
"I knew I had done something bad because I couldn't get off the pitch at MK Dons.
"I got back in the dressing room and all the lads were still out celebrating and I knew then I was out for a while.
"I had an operation on the Wednesday and Gary Peters put a limo on for me to go down to Wembley.
"I was still in agony really and didn't want to go down, but I wanted to support the lads and be there for them so I sat on the bench.
"It was a disappointing afternoon all round, hopefully we can go back there and put that right.
"I think for a lot of the lads it was the worst moment in their career and we don't want the same to happen again.
"If we play the way we can and do things right, we are in with a chance."