Robbie Benson eager to prove his doubters wrong at Derry City

Robbie Benson is eager to prove his doubters wrong as starts a new chapter in his career with Derry City.

The 32-year-old has won three league titles, one FAI Cup and two League Cups in his career, but suffered relegation with Dundalk last year, with many surprised that he has now ended up in red and white.

“It's a young man's league,” he said. “I think the age profile league is getting a lot younger and just for my own sake having been relegated last year with Dundalk wasn't a nice feeling and I'm looking forward to the challenge here but I have to prove myself again. My last stint in the league was ultimately getting relegated but I still feel that I can be a big asset to Derry and I'm just really grateful for Tiernan and all the staff here for putting their faith in me and I hope to repay that over the year.”

Benson is now eager to repay the faith shown in him by Tiernan Lynch, and show that he can still do it at the top level in Ireland.

“Especially as you get later in your career, my phone wasn't exactly ringing non-stop, so it was kind of have to re-evaluate things and where you're seeing what other people view you as in the league and what sort of player you are and that's what I'm looking to do again just to try and help the team,” he explained. “I've always been a team first player and I'm just hoping to win silverware in whatever capacity that may be in whether I'm starting every week or if I'm playing here or there it'll be up to me to show which side of that coin I'll be in.”

Benson’s experience in the league could prove invaluable for Derry City this coming season, and he is eager to play his part for what will be very much a new look team.

“I have to do my best to justify why Tiernan has brought me up and why I'm making a sacrifice to move my family are moving up with me here,” he stated. “I want to get kind of ingrained in the city and learn about it and really buy into what they're doing here and figure out what makes people tick up here and showing that on a Friday night will come out in my game hopefully.”