BEN HENEGHAN was delighted to make his England C debut last week, describing the experience as ‘huge honour’.

The Chester centre-back put in a solid display at the heart of the England defence as Paul Fairclough’s side defeated Ireland 2-1 in Galway. 

He was joined by former Blues team mate Kingsley James, who was gaining his second England C cap, along with Wrexham’s Andy Coughlin and Louis Moult.

Chester boss Steve Burr is assistant to Fairclough in the international set-up and Heneghan said he fully appreciated his club boss putting his name forward for honours.

“It was a very good experience and I’m just happy to have been invovled,” said Heneghan. “To be able to pull on the shirt for your country at any level is a huge honour. We treat England C like a full international. We travelled over on the Friday, trained Saturday and Sunday, and then it was the game Monday afternoon. 

“We put in a good performance and the preparation is spot on. 

“I was over the moon and it’s a huge honour for me and my family.

“Steve wasn’t with us on the trip but I’m guessing he’s been putting in a good word for me and I appreciate that. 

“Hopefully if I’m selected next time Steve will be there.

“Having Kingsley there was great. He helped me in training and things like that and it’s nice to have a familiar face around when you do something new. He’s had a great season with Chester and I’m sure he’s going to be successful at his next club.”

James, who rejected a contract offer from the Blues last week and is now seeking a new club closer to his Barnsley home, believes England C offers a great opportunity to non-league footballers, who would otherwise not get the chance to wear the Three Lions jersey.

“Once again it was a great experience. It was a completely different bunch of lads to the last time, and obviosuly Ben got in the squad which was nice,” explained James, who made 46 appearances for the Blues last term. 

“He was solid and as a team we outworked the Irish side and I got an assist as well which was nice.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to represent your country. 

“There’s a bit of doubt about whether the England C team will continue, we were speaking about it as a squad and we think it’s a great reward for non-league footballers.

“To be rewarded with good performances by representing your country is as good as it can get.

“I’m not being disrespectful when I say that for the vast majority of lads at this level, we won’t get a chance of getting full honours.

“So this is great for non-league players to get rewarded.”

Heneghan was pleased to welcome 28-year-old Tom Shaw to the Deva Stadium, after the midfielder signed a two-year deal to link up with boss Burr, who he played under at Kidderminster.

“I’ve just played against him twice last season and he scored an absolute worldie against us away,” Heneghan added. “So if he can produce that every week he’ll do for me!

“But I don’t really know much about Tom but hopefully he’ll slot straight in.

“I’ve just got to keep ticking over between now and pre-season really. I’ve had a break so the hard work starts now.

“When the season kicks in its basically Saturday and Tuesday games, so this is a chance to get some physical work in.

“I’ll be down the gym most days. Then I’ll go down the track, do some sprints and some longer running. It’s a chance to get the body right”