Rising to Great Heights: The Inspiring Tale of Goalkeeper Ben Foster

Rising to Great Heights: The Inspiring Tale of Goalkeeper Ben Foster

Rising to Great Heights: The Inspiring Tale of Goalkeeper...

By Edcel Panganiban June 09, 2024 09:15

SMS
Mail
facebook
pinterst
twitter
messenger

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

LATEST

  • NEWS
  • |
  • ARTICLES
  • |
  • VIDEOS
Soccer
img_articles

Documenting the Insane Run of Ronaldinho in Soc...

By Jocelyn Alano

Tue, Jun 25, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Who Owns Manchester United? Revealing the Inner...

By Edcel Panganiban

Mon, Jun 24, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

How Much Did Inter Miami CF Pay Lionel Messi?

By Jason Bolton

Tue, Jun 18, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

The Rise of MLS Jersey Sales in 2024: Who Are t...

By Edcel Panganiban

Fri, Jun 14, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

The Messi Effect: Why Is Lionel Messi So Vital ...

By Edcel Panganiban

Fri, Jun 14, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Is Christian Pulisic a Catholic?

By Arslan Saleem

Thu, Jun 13, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

An In-Depth Look at the Crazy Career of Alexand...

By Arslan Saleem

Wed, Jun 12, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Harry Kane: The Former Tottenham Hotspur Talisman

By Oliver Wiener

Mon, Jun 10, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Lionel Messi: Unveiling the Business Portfolio ...

By Oliver Wiener

Tue, Jun 11, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What is Ronaldinho's Net Worth in 2024?

By Jocelyn Alano

Fri, Jun 07, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Kylian Mbappé: An Unforseen Rise to Fame

By Edcel Panganiban

Thu, Jun 06, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

The Top 10 USA Women's Soccer Players of All-Time

By Jocelyn Alano

Wed, Jun 05, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Early Favorites...

By Jocelyn Alano

Mon, Jun 03, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

UEFA EURO 2024: A Comprehensive Preview

By Jocelyn Alano

Mon, Jun 03, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

The Top 10 Shortest English Premier League Socc...

By Jason Bolton

Mon, Jun 03, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Saudi Arabia's Disruption of Soccer's World Ord...

By Fan Arch

Thu, May 23, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

FIFA to Take Legal Advice on Calls to Suspend I...

By Jocelyn Alano

Thu, May 23, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Marcus Rashford and Other Players Omitted from ...

By Fan Arch

Thu, May 23, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Jurgen Klopp's Emotional Farewell as He Manages...

By Jocelyn Alano

Thu, May 23, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

The Meteoric Rise and Challenges of Mason Green...

By Jason Bolton

Mon, May 20, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

The 10 English Soccer Players of All-Time

By Oliver Wiener

Wed, May 15, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Top 10 American Soccer Players of All-Time

By Fan Arch

Wed, May 15, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

How Many Biological Children Does Ronaldo Have ...

By Jocelyn Alano

Wed, May 15, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

How Did Georgina Rodriguez Meet Cristiano Ronaldo?

By Edcel Panganiban

Wed, May 15, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What If Maradona Hadn't Gotten Away with His 'H...

By Oliver Wiener

Mon, May 13, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What happened to Maradona in the 1994 World Cup?

By Jocelyn Alano

Tue, May 07, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Did Diego Maradona win a World Cup?

By Edcel Panganiban

Tue, May 07, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Why did FIFA remove Maradona?

By Arslan Saleem

Tue, May 07, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Why are Maradona's doctors being charged?

By Jason Bolton

Tue, May 07, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Why was Luis Suárez suspended?

By Oliver Wiener

Tue, May 07, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

How did Gerard Piqué meet Clara Chia?

By Oliver Wiener

Sun, May 05, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What nationality is Clara Chia?

By Fan Arch

Sun, May 05, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Is Gerard Piqué Married?

By Jocelyn Alano

Sun, May 05, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

The Rise of NWSL in 2024: A Game-Changer in Wom...

By Jocelyn Alano

Thu, May 02, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Are Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe married?

By Jason Bolton

Thu, May 02, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

How many trophies has Wayne Rooney won?

By Oliver Wiener

Mon, Apr 29, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What was Wayne Rooney known for?

By Fan Arch

Mon, Apr 29, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

How many times did Frank Lampard win the Premie...

By Edcel Panganiban

Mon, Apr 29, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Top 10 Lionel Messi Quotes of All-Time

By Arslan Saleem

Sat, Apr 27, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What is Alex Morgan's net worth in 2024?

By Edcel Panganiban

Wed, Apr 24, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Does Patrick Mahomes own a team in the MLS?

By Jocelyn Alano

Fri, Apr 19, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What Soccer Team Does Matthew McConaughey Own?

By Fan Arch

Fri, Apr 19, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Will Ferrell's Ownership in the World of Soccer

By Arslan Saleem

Fri, Apr 19, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

How to watch the Champion's League in the USA i...

By Jocelyn Alano

Thu, Apr 18, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Has Anyone Won 7 Champions League Titles?

By Fan Arch

Thu, Apr 18, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What is the relationship between Trinity and De...

By Edcel Panganiban

Mon, Apr 15, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

Is Trinity Rodman the highest paid Female socce...

By Arslan Saleem

Mon, Apr 15, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What age did Alex Morgan start playing soccer?

By Fan Arch

Mon, Apr 15, 2024

Soccer
img_articles

What is Abby Wambach most known for?

By Jocelyn Alano

Mon, Apr 15, 2024

More Stories

FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK

hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
hero
nothing

Mystery Signed Memorabilia

//script of featured and trending tab div