Steve Foster facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Brian Foster | ||
| Date of birth | 24 September 1957 | ||
| Place of birth | Portsmouth, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Central defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1972–1975 | Southampton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1975–1979 | Portsmouth | 109 | (6) |
| 1979–1984 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 172 | (6) |
| 1984 | Aston Villa | 15 | (3) |
| 1984–1989 | Luton Town | 163 | (11) |
| 1989–1992 | Oxford United | 95 | (9) |
| 1992–1996 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 115 | (7) |
| Total | 669 | (42) | |
| International career | |||
| 1980 | England U21 | 1 | (0) |
| 1982 | England | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Stephen Brian Foster (born on 24 September 1957) is an English former footballer. He was a strong defender known for his distinctive headband. Steve played for several top clubs during his career.
Contents
Steve Foster's Football Journey
Steve Foster was born in Portsmouth, England. He started his football journey as a young player with Southampton. However, he didn't get a professional contract there.
Starting at Portsmouth
In 1973, Steve began his professional career at his hometown club, Portsmouth. He first played as a forward, trying to score goals. After one season, his manager, Ian St John, decided to change his position. Steve became a central defender, a player who helps protect the goal. He made his debut in this new role in November 1976.
Brighton & Hove Albion Success
Steve played for Portsmouth until 1979. Then, he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion. This was a very exciting time in his career.
Playing for England
While at Brighton, Steve Foster got the chance to play for his country. He earned three caps for the England senior squad. He was also part of England's team for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. This is a huge achievement for any footballer.
FA Cup Final
In 1983, Steve and Brighton reached the final of the FA Cup. This is one of England's most famous football competitions. They played against Manchester United. The first game ended in a 2–2 draw. Steve was suspended for that match. However, he played in the replay game, which Manchester United won 4–0. Even though Brighton lost, reaching the final was a big moment for the club.
Moving to Aston Villa and Luton Town
After five seasons with Brighton, Steve moved to Aston Villa in March 1984. He stayed there for about eight months. In November 1984, he joined Luton Town.
Winning the League Cup
At Luton, Steve became a very important player in their defense. He was known for his strong play. He even became the team captain. In 1988, he led Luton Town to victory in the League Cup. This was another major trophy win in his career.
Returning to Brighton
Steve left Luton in 1989. He then played for Oxford United. Later, he returned to Brighton & Hove Albion for the last four years of his career.
Challenges at Brighton
His second time at Brighton was different from his first. The club faced tough times. They were relegated to a lower division. They also had financial problems and had to sell many players. By the time Steve retired, Brighton was facing more relegation and even had to sell their stadium.
After Retirement
In January 2008, Steve Foster was part of a group trying to buy his former club, Luton Town. This shows his continued connection to the sport.
