By Edcel Panganiban June 09, 2024 09:15
Ben Anthony Foster, born on the 3rd of April 1983, began as a youth with Racing Club Warwick of the Southern League Division One West.
By December 2000, he was now firmly established being there first choice goalkeeper.
He was spotted by a scout and turned professional in April 2001 at Second Division side Stoke City.
During his time with Stoke he was loaned out to Bristol City, Tiverton Town, Stafford Rangers, Kidderminster Harriers and Wrexham.
Man Utd and Loan periods
Foster was playing for Wrexham on loan from Stoke at the time when Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson snapped him up with a £1 million offer.
Stoke accepted the offer and he signed for Manchester United in July 2005. Foster was loaned in consecutive seasons to Watford from August 2005 to the end of the 2006–07 season.
Birmingham City and Return to Manchester United
Foster then joined Birmingham City in May 2010. Although he was an ever-present in the league with Birmingham, he was not named in the team that won the 2011 League Cup.
After Birmingham City were relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, he was loaned to West Bromwich Albion before returning to Manchester United.
West Bromwich Albion, and homecoming to Watford
Foster signed for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion in July 2011, initially on loan with the transfer being made permanent in June 2012.
He went on to have a successful time in charge, leading West Brom to their then highest ever Premier League finish of 8th in the 2012.
He re-joined Watford on a permanent basis in July 2018, after having played over 100 times for the club.
International career and Retirement
Foster earned his first cap for England in February 2007 versus Spain.
In May 2011 he retired from international football but in February 2013 he came out of retirement and featured among England's squad in 2014 FIFA World Cup.
A total of 8 matches he represented for England. Foster retired from playing in September 2022, only to return to Wrexham in March 2023 before retiring again at then end of the following season as the Dragons secured the National League title.
Impact and Achievements
It's a journey in football that encapsulates a remarkable story of resilience and determination. He defied the odds with injury setbacks, rejections from clubs to become a successful goalkeeper.
His achievements with different clubs Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Watford being key include Supporters' Player of the Season and Player of the Season awards.
This is only enhanced by his international endeavours with England, already having five caps to his name including appearances in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Cycling GK & The Fozcast
In addition to his work in football, Foster has a YouTube channel, "The Cycling GK", and hosts The Fozcast podcast.
His work on and off the field highlights his all round character and desire to interact with fans as well as the wider community.
On the whole
The story of Ben Foster's rise from obscurity to one of the most well respected goalkeepers in the English game is the story of a man never stopping.
His reach throughout the sport goes even further than how he hit, a reflection of just how much of an all around player he was and his love for engaging with fans.
In his retirement, Foster leaves behind a legacy both in the goal and as a multi-dimensional personality that renews the sport and imprints an indelible place in the history of a once second tier American soccer culture future generations of players and fans will be undoubtedly indebted.
SHOP Mystery Signed Memorabilia
-
Mystery Signed Football 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- / per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- / per
-
Mystery Signed Football Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- / per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- / per
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
Soccer
What is Ronaldinho's Net Worth in 2024?
By Jocelyn Alano
Fri, Jun 07, 2024
Soccer
Kylian Mbappé: An Unforseen Rise to Fame
By Edcel Panganiban
Thu, Jun 06, 2024
Soccer
The Top 10 USA Women's Soccer Players of All-Time
By Jocelyn Alano
Wed, Jun 05, 2024
Soccer
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Early Favorites...
By Jocelyn Alano
Mon, Jun 03, 2024
Soccer
UEFA EURO 2024: A Comprehensive Preview
By Jocelyn Alano
Mon, Jun 03, 2024
Soccer
The Top 10 Shortest English Premier League Socc...
By Jason Bolton
Mon, Jun 03, 2024
Soccer
Saudi Arabia's Disruption of Soccer's World Ord...
By Fan Arch
Thu, May 23, 2024
Soccer
FIFA to Take Legal Advice on Calls to Suspend I...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, May 23, 2024
Soccer
Marcus Rashford and Other Players Omitted from ...
By Fan Arch
Thu, May 23, 2024
Soccer
Jurgen Klopp's Emotional Farewell as He Manages...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, May 23, 2024
Soccer
The Meteoric Rise and Challenges of Mason Green...
By Jason Bolton
Mon, May 20, 2024
Soccer
The 10 English Soccer Players of All-Time
By Oliver Wiener
Wed, May 15, 2024
Soccer
Top 10 American Soccer Players of All-Time
By Fan Arch
Wed, May 15, 2024
Soccer
How Did Georgina Rodriguez Meet Cristiano Ronaldo?
By Edcel Panganiban
Wed, May 15, 2024
Soccer
What If Maradona Hadn't Gotten Away with His 'H...
By Oliver Wiener
Mon, May 13, 2024
Soccer
What happened to Maradona in the 1994 World Cup?
By Jocelyn Alano
Tue, May 07, 2024
Soccer
Did Diego Maradona win a World Cup?
By Edcel Panganiban
Tue, May 07, 2024
Soccer
Why did FIFA remove Maradona?
By Arslan Saleem
Tue, May 07, 2024
Soccer
Why are Maradona's doctors being charged?
By Jason Bolton
Tue, May 07, 2024
Soccer
Why was Luis Suárez suspended?
By Oliver Wiener
Tue, May 07, 2024
Soccer
How did Gerard Piqué meet Clara Chia?
By Oliver Wiener
Sun, May 05, 2024
Soccer
What nationality is Clara Chia?
By Fan Arch
Sun, May 05, 2024
Soccer
Is Gerard Piqué Married?
By Jocelyn Alano
Sun, May 05, 2024
Soccer
The Rise of NWSL in 2024: A Game-Changer in Wom...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, May 02, 2024
Soccer
Are Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe married?
By Jason Bolton
Thu, May 02, 2024
Soccer
How many trophies has Wayne Rooney won?
By Oliver Wiener
Mon, Apr 29, 2024
Soccer
What was Wayne Rooney known for?
By Fan Arch
Mon, Apr 29, 2024
Soccer
How many times did Frank Lampard win the Premie...
By Edcel Panganiban
Mon, Apr 29, 2024
Soccer
Top 10 Lionel Messi Quotes of All-Time
By Arslan Saleem
Sat, Apr 27, 2024
Soccer
What is Alex Morgan's net worth in 2024?
By Edcel Panganiban
Wed, Apr 24, 2024
Soccer
Does Patrick Mahomes own a team in the MLS?
By Jocelyn Alano
Fri, Apr 19, 2024
Soccer
What Soccer Team Does Matthew McConaughey Own?
By Fan Arch
Fri, Apr 19, 2024
Soccer
Will Ferrell's Ownership in the World of Soccer
By Arslan Saleem
Fri, Apr 19, 2024
Soccer
How to watch the Champion's League in the USA i...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, Apr 18, 2024
Soccer
Has Anyone Won 7 Champions League Titles?
By Fan Arch
Thu, Apr 18, 2024
Soccer
What is the relationship between Trinity and De...
By Edcel Panganiban
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
Is Trinity Rodman the highest paid Female socce...
By Arslan Saleem
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
What age did Alex Morgan start playing soccer?
By Fan Arch
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
What is Abby Wambach most known for?
By Jocelyn Alano
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
How many World Cups did Mia Hamm play in?
By Edcel Panganiban
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
Who was the USA woman soccer player who took of...
By Arslan Saleem
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
Why was Brandi Chastain controversial?
By Fan Arch
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
How good was Michelle Akers?
By Jocelyn Alano
Mon, Apr 15, 2024
Soccer
Top 10 Most Inspirational Soccer Quotes of All-...
By Arslan Saleem
Sat, Apr 13, 2024
Soccer
What is Stan Kroenke's Net Worth in 2024?
By Jocelyn Alano
Sun, Apr 14, 2024
Soccer
Why has Messi been missing so many games in the...
By Arslan Saleem
Thu, Apr 11, 2024
Soccer
What is the new Lionel Messi documentary?
By Fan Arch
Thu, Apr 11, 2024
Soccer
What is Lionel Messi's MLS Deal with Apple TV?
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, Apr 11, 2024
More Stories
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
