Born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, Herd began his career as a trainee at Watford. He signed his first professional contract with the Championship club in March 2003, but was released two years later, having never played a game for the club.
Shrewsbury Town
In June 2005, Herd signed for League Two club Shrewsbury Town, following a recommendation from Herd's former Watford manager Ray Lewington. He made his Shrewsbury début on 6 August in a 1–0 defeat at home to Rochdale. He was almost ever-present for Shrewsbury in his first season with the club. in 2010. In the 2006–07 season injuries restricted Herd to 31 league appearances. However, he was a late inclusion in the Shrewsbury side for the League Two play-off final at Wembley, after Luke Jones picked up an injury in the warm-up. Shrewsbury went on to lose the game 3–1. He signed a fresh two-year contract at the end of the season. In the 2007–08 season, Herd was again almost ever-present, missing just one league match through suspension. The 2008–09 season started well for Herd, with the wing back in superb form, but a suspension meant that he was replaced by Darren Moss. Moss maintained a rich vein of form, resulting in Herd playing just five times after mid-November and getting released at the season's end. Herd was very disappointed that his contract would not be renewed, so he posted a goodbye and thank you message to the fans on the blue and amber forum.
Aldershot Town
After receiving interest from numerous clubs, Herd signed a two-year contract with League Two side Aldershot Town in July 2009, to his great relief. He won Aldershot Town Player of the Season in 2010. The prestigious award was presented to him on 1 May 2010 against Lincoln City. The following season Ben was voted Players' Player of the Season and received the award prior to Aldershot's home match against Rotherham. Herd was released along with many other players at the end of the 2012-13 season as part of Aldershot's requirement to cut expenses after entering administration.
Herd signed for Southern League Premier Division side Dunstable Town in the summer of 2014, following the club's second promotion in a row from the Southern League Division One Central, immediately being handed the captaincy by manager Darren Croft. He made 27 league appearances during the 2014–2015 season, scoring eight goals.
Herd joined Boreham Wood in February 2015 and played a part in their promotion via the play-offs to the Conference Premier for the very first time. However, following the conclusion of the season, Herd left the club.
After one season with Hemel Hempstead, Herd joined league counterparts St Albans City in May 2016 reuniting with his former Boreham Wood manager Ian Allinson. He remained at the club until the end of the 2018–19 season.
Managerial career
In May 2019 Herd was named as the new manager of Hertford Town.
