Since signing from Bedford Town in the January transfer window, midfielder Ben Farrell has impressed staff and fans alike at Cambridge United with a series of impressive displays, only for an ankle injury to keep him out of action for the latest run of fixtures.

Since signing just over two months ago from The Eagles, Ben has started two matches and made six appearances from the bench, setting up the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Stevenage Borough and being awarded Setanta Sports Man of the Match in his first start for the club.

Despite playing the whole 90 minutes in that fixture, it was marred by a head injury that was to keep him out of action for the next fortnight, before returning for consecutive 2-0 victories over Forest Green Rovers and York City.

In his second start, against Farsley Celtic, he was withdrawn with the ankle injury that has kept him out since then. With players like Danny Brown and Steven Reed making their comebacks recently, Ben is hoping to follow this trend by returning back to action in the coming games.

His main test will have been on Wednesday, when Greg Reid put the 21 year old through his paces with a fitness test, including sharp turns to test the ankle's strength.

"I'll be back in training at the end of this week hopefully," he confirms. "I've been working with the physio every day for two weeks, including Sundays, so I haven't had a day off and I'd like to be training with the rest of the squad on Friday."

Signing for The U's represents a step up of two divisions after his former side was relegated from the Conference South last season, bringing Southern League football back to The Eyrie.

Ben recalls how the move developed: "In pre-season I played a few teams - MK Dons and Cambridge - and apparently they were watching me back then, although I'm not sure if that's true or not. Then I heard rumours that they were interested. I know Cambridge City were after me and I could have left in October or November for decent money, but I thought I'd wait until January and see what happened.

"I didn't hear anything directly," he adds, "but people at Bedford were telling me to hold on until January and I'd get my move. I didn't want to rush anything through, and in the end Cambridge came in for me."

The promising midfielder also reveals that it wasn't just the Milton Road outfit that showed interest in him, prior to his arrival at The Abbey:

"I know Stevenage and the (Milton Keynes, where Ben still currently commutes from) Dons were watching me, and Histon came in for me the day before I signed here but I wasn't really interested because I had my heart set on coming here. I think I would have got more money at Histon but it's just the size of this club that did it. Straightaway you think 'League Club' and you think of the stadium - I used to watch them on Anglia News!

"You look at Jimmy Quinn as manager and everything he's done in the game; everybody knows Cambridge United. I'd say they're the biggest club in the Conference - they are a League club, just in the wrong division."

Many players who take the step up to the professional game find the jump a difficult one when compared to the two days per week training at clubs who are not full-time. However, considering Ben's former work, he does not fall in to this category.

"To be honest I don't find it that hard," he confirms. "I'm used to carpentry, which is hard graft. I'd work from half past seven until five at night, and then on Tuesday and Thursday I'd have to go straight out to training, then get back at ten and straight out in the morning, so it was probably harder than it is now!"

Not only is the way of life different now he is a full-time footballer, the set-up of the football clubs Ben has played for is notably different, as he explains: "It's unreal. I was just shocked really about everything here.

"The food gets laid on for you, there are two or three different training grounds that we use, a gymnasium - it's unbelievable. Everything here is a proper football set-up. It's like a dream, everything you've imagined and they've got it."

The Cambridge United fan base is once again singled out for praise, with Ben stating, "Our support is completely in the wrong league. On Monday (in the defeat at Ebbsfleet United) you could hear them so loudly on the television."

For a 21 year old, Ben has already been considerably unlucky with the list of injuries that have occurred in his career.

The latest ankle injury seems only minor when considering that he missed almost two seasons with a toe injury when at Bedford, undoubtedly stalling his progress. It was only last season that he was able to draw attention to himself with his performances, missing only one match through suspension. Prior to that he had never managed more than twenty starts in a season for his former club.

He believes that this has led to him become more determined to succeed now he's been given a chance at a professional level.

"I've been so unlucky over the years," he says. "Since I was sixteen I've never played a full season but I've suddenly found my feet since last summer. I've got this real hunger and I don't let anything negative come into my mind."

The team spirit of the squad has been much commented on during the season, and this is something that has allowed Ben to take his new environment in his stride.

"It's a real family atmosphere within the lads," he reveals. "They're just a really good bunch who make you more than welcome, and that makes things so much easier. There's good banter; good team spirit.

"The belief is down to the manager; I can't see Jimmy Quinn letting us fall down now. He keeps us on our toes and he makes sure we're thinking right. He'll keep us going; he's got so much hunger. He's quite 'old school' in his management - if there's someone with an ankle injury he'll just say 'strap up and play!'"

It isn't just the United manager who is given the credit for the good season currently being enjoyed at the club, but other backstage staff too. Willy Wordsworth played a key role in bringing Ben to the club due to his previous role as Chief Scout, and his new role of Assistant Manager is welcomed by Ben.

"It's great. Before I signed I had all the contact through Willy and I spoke to him a lot so it felt like I knew him more than anyone when I joined the club. I like him, he's a funny bloke, so for him to be about the club more for training now is definitely a bonus."

Attentions turn towards ambitions for the club and for Ben personally, and it becomes apparent that he holds a quiet but firm belief in his own abilities.

Cambridge United's business plan recently revealed that the aim is for the club to gain promotion back to the Football League within three years, with this being the first season of that three-year plan. However Ben confirms that the only talk in the dressing room at the moment is to see promotion this season, ahead of the original goal.

"We could easily be playing in League One and I'm sure the management has a timescale for that. By the time I joined in January, everyone was just focussed on getting up this year."

United's recent dip in form has led many fans to fear that promotion may not be attainable this year, but in the event that the club still finds itself at this level next year, Ben believes that the side would be well placed to progress beyond their current position. Key personnel signing contracts beyond this season gives reason for optimism, in his opinion.

"The foundations are there for next year. Jimmy Quinn's turned down bigger clubs this year and he's dedicated himself by signing a new contract. Michael Morrison has signed another contract - he could have gone higher but he signed on for two years. He can play at a higher level, so he trusts the club to get to that higher stage. It shows the ambition of the club."

Discussion closes with thoughts about personal goals for the talented young midfielder. Taking a step up two flights of the football pyramid to join United means that his talent is well regarded by staff at the Abbey, but Ben is quietly confident that there is more to come.

"Because of all my injuries, at the start if this season I wouldn't have believed you if you'd said that I'd end up at Cambridge, so you never know what will happen next."

When asked about how great his self belief is, the answer is simple: "Massive. There's no reason to put a limit on your dreams!"

Matt Ramsay

*This interview was originally published in the programme for the match against Kidderminster Harriers on 29th March, 2008.

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