Ben Foster (footballer) facts for kids
Foster playing for West Bromwich Albion in 2017
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 3 April 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Leamington Spa, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2000 | Racing Club Warwick | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000–2001 | Racing Club Warwick | ||
| 2001–2005 | Stoke City | 0 | (0) |
| 2002 | → Bristol City (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | → Tiverton Town (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Stafford Rangers (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Kidderminster Harriers (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2005 | → Wrexham (loan) | 17 | (0) |
| 2005–2010 | Manchester United | 12 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | → Watford (loan) | 44 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | → Watford (loan) | 29 | (0) |
| 2010–2012 | Birmingham City | 38 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | → West Bromwich Albion (loan) | 37 | (0) |
| 2012–2018 | West Bromwich Albion | 172 | (0) |
| 2018–2022 | Watford | 125 | (0) |
| 2023 | Wrexham | 12 | (0) |
| Total | 505 | (0) | |
| National team | |||
| 2007–2014 | England | 8 | (0) |
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Ben Anthony Foster (born 3 April 1983) is a former English professional footballer. He played as a goalkeeper. Ben started his career in 2001 with Stoke City. He then moved to Manchester United in 2005.
During his time at Manchester United, he won the League Cup twice. He later played for Birmingham City, winning the League Cup again in 2011. Ben also had a long and successful period with West Bromwich Albion. He returned to Watford in 2018. After a short retirement, he came back to play for Wrexham in 2023, helping them win the National League title. Ben also played for the England national team eight times. Today, he is also well-known for his popular YouTube channel, "The Cycling GK".
Contents
Ben Foster's Football Journey
Starting Out at Stoke City
Ben Foster was born in Leamington Spa, England. He began his football journey as a young player at Racing Club Warwick. He became their main goalkeeper in December 2000.
In April 2001, Ben became a professional player with Stoke City. He was spotted by a scout named Colin Dobson. While at Stoke, he spent time on loan at several other clubs. These included Bristol City, Tiverton Town, and Wrexham.
Playing for Manchester United
While on loan at Wrexham, Ben was noticed by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. Ferguson was impressed and decided to sign Ben for £1 million in July 2005.
Loan Spells at Watford
Ben was not yet ready for Manchester United's first team. So, he was sent on loan to Watford for a season in August 2005. Watford's manager, Aidy Boothroyd, believed Ben would become one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Ben helped Watford get promoted to the Premier League in 2006. He played a key role in their win against Leeds United in the play-off final. He then returned to Watford for a second loan season in 2006. His great performances earned him Watford's Player of the Season award.
Back at Manchester United
In June 2007, Ben had surgery on his knee, which meant he missed the start of the 2007–08 season. He made his first team debut for Manchester United on 15 March 2008. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Derby County.
On 1 March 2009, Ben played in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. He helped United win the cup by saving a penalty in the shootout against Tottenham. After the match, he was named the best player on the field, winning the Alan Hardaker Trophy. He even used an iPod to help him prepare for the penalty shootout!
Ben signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United. Manager Alex Ferguson saw him as a future star goalkeeper for the club. However, he faced tough competition and injuries.
Moving to Birmingham City
In May 2010, Ben joined Birmingham City. He signed a three-year contract. He quickly became their main goalkeeper.
Ben had an amazing performance when Birmingham beat Chelsea 1–0. He made many excellent saves in that match. He also helped Birmingham reach the League Cup final in 2011. His team defeated Arsenal 2–1, winning their first major trophy in 48 years. Ben won the Alan Hardaker Trophy again for his performance in the final. He was also named Birmingham's Player of the Season.
Time at West Bromwich Albion
Ben joined West Bromwich Albion on loan in July 2011. He played in almost all their league matches. He helped the club finish in 10th place, which was their highest league finish in 30 years. At the end of the season, fans and players voted him their Player of the Year.
In June 2012, Ben signed a permanent deal with West Brom. He continued to play very well. In the 2012–13 season, he helped West Brom finish 8th in the Premier League. This was their best Premier League position ever. A great moment was saving a penalty from Steven Gerrard against Liverpool at Anfield. Ben won the Player of the Year awards again in 2014. His strong play also led to him being called up for the 2014 England World Cup squad. He was nominated for the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award in 2017.
Returning to Watford
After West Brom was relegated, Ben returned to Watford in July 2018. He signed a two-year contract. He quickly became Watford's first-choice goalkeeper again. He stayed with the club even after they were relegated from the Premier League in 2020. Ben left Watford in June 2022 when his contract ended.
Coming Back to Wrexham
On 15 September 2022, Ben announced he was retiring from football. However, on 23 March 2023, he came out of retirement! He signed a short-term contract with National League club Wrexham. This was after their main goalkeeper got injured.
He made his second debut for Wrexham just two days later. On 10 April, he saved a penalty in stoppage time. This helped Wrexham win 3–2 against Notts County. This win was very important for Wrexham's title race. On 22 April, Wrexham won the National League title and were promoted to League Two.
Ben signed a new one-year contract with Wrexham in June 2023. But on 20 August, he announced his retirement again. He felt he could no longer play at his best. He played his last match for Wrexham at 40 years old.
Ben Foster's International Career
Ben Foster was first called up to the England squad in 2006. He made his England debut on 7 February 2007, in a match against Spain.
He earned his second cap in 2009, coming on as a substitute in a 4–0 win against Slovakia. Ben played his third England match against Belarus in October 2009. He made a great one-handed save in that game.
In May 2011, Ben decided to take a break from international football. He wanted to focus on his club career and avoid injuries. He returned to the England squad in February 2013.
Ben was chosen for England's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He played in a warm-up match against Ecuador. He also played the full 90 minutes in England's final group match against Costa Rica, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw.
Ben Foster on YouTube
| Ben Foster - The Cycling GK | |
|---|---|
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| YouTube information | |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Subscribers | 1.47 million (April 2024) |
| Total views | 156 million (April 2024) |
| Associated acts | King Ekong, Sidemen |
Ben Foster has a very popular YouTube channel called "Ben Foster – The Cycling GK". He started it in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. On his channel, he shares videos about cycling. He also posts vlogs from match days, sometimes even showing footage from behind his goal using a GoPro camera!
As of April 2024, his channel has over 1.47 million subscribers. It has also received over 156 million views. Ben also hosts a podcast called "Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast" with Tom Ochoa. He also has a golf channel called "The Golfing GK".
Ben Foster's Personal Life
Ben Foster went to North Leamington School in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. He lives with his wife and two children. They live on a farm in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, in a house he helped design. Ben is also a very keen cyclist.
Honours and Awards
Wrexham
- Football League Trophy: 2004–05
- National League: 2022–23
Watford
- Football League Championship play-offs: 2006
Manchester United
- Football League Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10
Birmingham City
- Football League Cup: 2010–11
Individual Awards
- Watford Player of the Season: 2006–07
- Alan Hardaker Trophy: 2009, 2011
- Birmingham City Player of the Season: 2010–11
- Birmingham City Players' Player of the Season: 2010–11
- West Bromwich Albion Supporters' Player of the Season: 2011–12, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2017–18
- West Bromwich Albion Players' Player of the Season: 2011–12, 2013–14
- London Football Awards Goalkeeper of the Year: 2019
