He's been making the headlines for a couple of years now, he must be one of the better known players in Division Two, and there cannot be many more frightening sights for a defender when he's in full flow.

This season Trevor Benjamin has built on the goal-scoring progress he made last season and - especially since the sale of strike partner Martin Butler - he has been scoring consistently in the battle against relegation.

Despite the fact that he only recently turned 21, Trevor made his first team debut four years ago while still a trainee. In that time he has transformed himself from an occasional scorer of vital goals to a regular goalscorer, and six goals in six games underlines that fact.

The chairman has already guaranteed that when he inevitably leaves Cambridge United it will be for a club record fee, and there cannot be many top flight clubs who have not made a scouting trip to check out Cambridge United's latest home-produced star.

Trevor has graduated through United's youth ranks and now stands on the brink of a glittering career. With well over 100 first team appearances under his belt and some memorable games and goals already, Trevor's Cambridge United career provided scope for a lot of questions and he answered them honestly and modestly. The interview took place on Thursday 20th April 2000.

General Questions

Which footballer did you most admire as you were growing up, and why?

Les Ferdinand. He was good in the air and good all round.

Which footballer do you most admire now, and why?

Ian Wright. He is a good professional and works hard - he has a good touch.

What is your best footballing moment so far?

Being in the first team for Cambridge I think. Me playing well and the team playing well and getting in the second division.

What was your most embarrassing football moment?

I don't think I have got one.

What car do you drive?

Mercedes.

What do you do to relax away from football?

I play on my decks and watch TV.

Could you put up a set of shelves?

Yeah! Course I could!

What's your favourite type of music?

House, Garage and R&B.

Do you have any pre-match superstitions or rituals?

Not really - I just get up and go.

How do you like having Roy McFarland as a manager?

He is a good manager. He has given me confidence and since he has come here I have improved with the way I play. I think the players around me have improved as well.

The worst thing about having Roy as a Manager?

There isn't anything bad about having Roy as manager

Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?

My girlfriend, my parents and my family.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Be yourself and enjoy your football.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone hoping to become a professional footballer?

Be yourself, enjoy playing and don't worry if you make mistakes.

What will you be doing in five years time?

Hopefully bigger and better things - but at the moment I am with Cambridge United.

What's the best part of your game?

At the moment it is scoring goals as I have scored a few this season and hope to get a lot more to help us stay up.

And the one area you would like to improve upon?

My touch.

Are you on the Internet? If so do you read the U's web sites?

Not yet, no.

Supporters' Questions

Neil Barnes of Bristol and Carolyn Cater of Littleport both ask: Do you feel under more pressure now that Martin Butler has left the club, or are you enjoying being the 'main man' in the strike force as it seems you are, as you just keep scoring?

I enjoy it but I don't feel under pressure. The gaffer called me in after we sold Martin and said there wasn't any pressure but I have to get out there and be myself.

Will Jones of Cambridge, Ryan of St Neots and many other fans asked: Trevor, do you still want to play for Cambridge United next season or are you wanting to further your career with a big move in the summer?

If it happens then it happens. At the moment I am with Cambridge United. If I am with Cambridge next season then I hope to improve a bit more on my touch and the areas of my game that need it.

Gillian Connor of Diss and Zoe Steel of Cambridge both want to ask: If you leave Cambridge is there any club you would prefer to join? Gillian mentions the clubs you have been linked with already like Brentford, Gillingham, West Brom as less exciting prospects than Leicester and QPR - any preferences?

Not really. As I say, if it happens it happens.

David Day of Pittsburgh, USA asks: Who's your favourite football team?

Arsenal.

Steve Bodell asks: How do you cope with the highs and lows of playing for Cambridge, ie. scoring at Hillsborough and missing the penalty at Forest?

I can't argue about missing that penalty - it was very disappointing. I cope all right and just try to get on with it.

David Lee of Huntingdon asks: If you had a strong offer from a foreign club would you leave or would you prefer to stay in Britain?

At the moment I would prefer to stay in Britain but in five or ten years time it might be nice to go abroad.

Joe from Cambridge asks: It seems that any black sportsman with a big physique gets given the nickname 'Bruno' (after Frank Bruno). Does it bother you that the crowd nickname you 'Bruno'?

Not at all, I like it. I don't know where people get the idea I don't like it.

Paul Woodhouse asks: Were your goals against Sheff Wed last season your best moment at the club? If not what was?

I would say that was my best moment at the club.

Scott Rotherham of Hull University and Steve Wells both want to ask: If you could play up front with any striker in the world, who would it be and why?

I would like to play with Ian Wright, he is a great player and a person to look up to.

Julie Mansfield asks: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you have to have with you?

My phone, a football and my girlfriend.

Simon Leeming of Settle, North Yorks asks: How far will a possible partnership of yourself and Tom Youngs be able to take the club?

Hopefully as far as we can go. If we can make it up to the first division and on from there … then good luck to us.

Jon Barker of Elmswell, Olly of Cambridge and several more fans ask: Do you think that Cambridge United can stay up this season?

No doubt about it. We have good players at the club and will stay up.

Christopher Mason of Ipswich asks: What has been your favourite goal scored so far?

I think it was against Brighton the season before last. Jerry took a throw in and I hit it on the volley straight into the top corner.

While Richard Creasey, also of Ipswich asks: In your opinion what was the best goal you have ever scored?

The same goal, that one at Brighton.

Mark of Southampton asks: How long do you spend practising your goal celebrations, are you trying to get on They Think It's All Over?

I think we got on it!

And Paul from Cambridge asks: What is that silly dance all about (after scoring against Oxford and Bury for instance)?

Ali G was doing it on one of his videos so we thought we would copy him.

Ian Elliott of Milton asks: Over the last few months your form has been very good and much more consistent. What do you put that down to?

That is working hard in training. The other players at the club have really helped me as well.

Ian also wanted to know: Apart from yourself which member of the first team would you say has the greatest potential for playing at a much higher level?

I think they all have, apart from the older ones! They are all good players and, like I say, have all got potential.

John Connelly of Auctermuchty asks: Trevor predictably has the nickname 'Bruno' but I would like to ask what black footballer he has admired the most, and would he like to see more people from ethnic backgrounds on the terraces?

Ian Wright is the player I admire most. It would be nice to see more people from ethnic backgrounds on the terraces but it would be nice to see more of everyone from different countries or wherever.

Natalie from Cambridge asks: Dear Trevor, Are you going to play for England?

Fingers crossed ... yes I will!

Mark Case of Huntingdon asks: Do you think, as many of the fans like myself do, that you have looked a much better player since the departure of Martin Butler and the fact that you are now playing in a more central role?

Yeah, hopefully I have been. I have still got to work hard and progress my ability.

Elissa Ward of Sutton asks: Have you always played as a striker or have you played in any other position?

No. In training we chop and change from time to time, but I have always been a centre forward.

Terry Wilby of Melbourn, Cambs asks: What area of your game do you think has most improved this season, and what do you think your strengths and weaknesses are? What does Roy think? (I think the biggest improvement this season has been your first touch and control of the ball. Strengths are speed over a few yards for a big chap and enthusiasm. I think your heading at goal could be better though)

I have got to work on my heading - I am not worried about it as I am sure it will come in time.

Simon of Bury St. Edmonds asks: I have noticed that your work rate up front is very high and things get very physical in the opposition's box, what specific areas do you work on in your fitness training and what methods do you think have helped you develop physically as a player?

I train as the gaffer tells me and work hard at it. I am working on my touch every day.

Steve Strachan of Cambridge asks: Who is the toughest defender you've ever played against and who do you think is the best defender in the English game?

The hardest defender I have played against? I don't think any one single player stands out. I do rate Sol Campbell as he is big and strong and has a good will to win.

'Marvellous Smoke Daddy U' asks: Seeing as you are making such rapid improvement, how far do you think you can go in the game?

Hopefully all the way but I have to work hard to become one of the best.

David Walsh of Cambridge asks: I've been a life long Cambridge fan and I just want to know what you think of Zema Abbey. Because I thought he has played well in the games he has appeared in, but I also think he's a very similar player to you. What's your opinion on this?

I think he is a good player and it was money well spent. He will progress in time, hopefully in the same way I have.

Mark Slater of Stevenage asks: When you first broke into the first-team you always tried to bust the back of the net with your shots (although none were on target!). Did you consciously change your game to become the cool finisher that you are now or was it just nervous inexperience at the time?

None on target? That's a bit harsh, isn't it?! I suppose it could have been inexperience but that's the way it goes. If I work on my finishing in training it will get better.

Gary Smith of Sheffield Hallam Uni asks: Trevor, whereabouts do you go for a pint in the mighty city of Cambridge?

I don't go out. (Trevor smiles!)

Sooty of Cambridge asks: Do you have a soul mate that you go to for support or advice? And do you have a team mate that you go to in order to help you improve your technical skills or play on the pitch?

I have my girlfriend to go to. I ask all the experienced players for advice and they will tell me.

Jon Mansfield asks: We know you like playing golf, are you any good at any other sport?

I like badminton and basketball. I like all sports really.

Tomas Knutson of Sweden says: You are my favourite player in Cambridge United. I am from Sweden and am following your games on the 'net. What's your favourite club in England and abroad? Good luck

Arsenal and Real Madrid.

David Yellope asks: Do you get any razzing from the rest of your team-mates over your current hot streak?

Razzing? Errr ... no I don't get razzed, I get praised if I am playing well and scoring.

Jon from Ely asks: Did you always want to be a footballer or was there anything else you would have liked to do?

No, I have always wanted to play football since I was knee high.

Hannah from Godmanchester asks: You often appear to intimidate the opposition's defence, especially the goalkeeper. Do you ever feel intimidated on the pitch?

Not at all, never.

Julian Diggle of Cambridge asks: Do you still keep in contact with Martin Butler?

He is getting married in the summer and we are all going to his wedding.

Andy from Cambridge and 'GARP' both ask: We don't like calling out "Bruno" and we know you don't like it, but when the crowd shouts Trevor, Trevor Benjamin you don't respond. Can you suggest a new chant because we love you Trevor!

I don't mind being called Bruno, so call me that!

My sincere thanks to Trevor Benjamin for sparing the time to give these answers, to Will Jones for conducting the interview at short notice, and to those of you who sent the questions. Will described Trevor as friendly, modest and focused, and just a little shy as the interview was also being filmed by Cambridge Red TV.

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