ROBBIE HEBSON: This is the only place I want to play
Reds first-team defender/midfielder Robbie Hebson says Borough Park is the only place he wants to play football upon re-signing for the club.
The 2021/22 season will be Hebson’s fifth campaign as a senior squad member as a Red, and has so far made 29 starts and been named on the bench a further 63 times.
On Sunday, the versatile 23-year-old expressed his emotions, saying: “I’m buzzing to be honest!
“I’m really happy to have been asked to come back because it’s the only place I want to play, so I was waiting for the phone call and was really happy when I got it.”
The 20/21 term was far from ideal for Hebson, as he suffered an injury on the opening day of our season at Knaresborough in the FA Cup Preliminary Round just minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The issue with his knee kept him out of action until November’s lockdown, meaning he rarely featured at any point in the curtailed Northern Premier League campaign.
However, Hebson’s seeing the silver lining.
“As bad as it sounds, this break’s done me a massive favour because I didn’t have sit on the sidelines watching the lads playing and there’s nothing worse [than that],” he said.
“The break’s given me time to recover and I’m feeling good now, so I can’t wait to get going again.”
Despite his age, Hebson feels like a regular face at the club, and is part of a happy camp.
Not only is there chemistry on the pitch, but off it, too, as he explained: “It’s massive [how well the first-team gets on] – anyone could see how close-knit we are and how well everyone gets on.
“We’re friends with each other so that’s why everyone loves coming to training,” he explained.
“It’s a really good group and I think it shows when we play together, because it’s the understanding that we’ve got with each other.”
Finally, back to on-field talk, Hebson may be a right-back by trade but is also considered a utility man on either flank further up the pitch, something he’s glad to be.
“I’m happy the manager [Danny Grainger] sees me as able to play in other positions, and I can play in those,” he affirmed.
“I don’t mind where I play, I just want to be playing,” continued Hebson.
“If he sees in one game that I’ll be better going forward or another at right-back, I don’t mind, I’m just happy to be playing.”
Watch out for interviews with Charlie Bowman and Matty Clarke coming later today!
