Former Imp joins Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Town have signed a former Lincoln City goalkeeper. Ben "Butterfingers" Smith was at the Imps during the 2007/8 season after Peter Jackson brought him in on loan from Doncaster Rovers. He gained a quick reputation for being a bit clumsy and failed to keep a clean sheet in his nine game on loan.

Ben Smith was one of Peter Jackson's first signings for the Imps, joining on a loan deal from Doncaster Rovers. Jackson had not been impressed with Alan Marriott and Smith was straight in the side, becoming the first goalkeeper since Chris Day to be in goal on a regular basis whilst Marriott was injury free and unsuspended.

He couldn't really do a lot about some of the goals he left in at first, but a 4-0 defeat at home to Darlington rammed home that his positioning was terrible and he was easily beatable at the back post. The next two games saw last minute winners that came from Smith mistakes, including dropping a cross straight onto the head of Grimsby's Gary Jones (whom had virtually no idea what was happening). Smith made his final appearance as he near enough literally ducked under an Andy Bishop header that was heading straight for his gloves.

Smith returned to Doncaster and never established himself in the first team, he was released at the end of last season and has signed a 2 year deal with Shrewsbury after a trial spell.