TIVVY ARCHIVE

Ben Foster

03/04/1983

In period, to Tivvy fans Ben Foster was just anoer loan signing. To the squad he was a valuable asset during his short stay at the club, and a popular character known for his easy-going nature and his socks with more hole than sock. He was recruited by Martyn Rogers on a temporary deal from Stoke City, and kipped down at the gaffer's digs during his loan spell which lasted for 16 games. Prior to his arrival in Devonshire Foster had kept goal in a struggling Racing Club Warwick team before capturing the attentions of Stoke, for whom he never played a first-team match but enjoyed several succesful loans while on their books, including at Stafford Rangers, Kidderminster Harriers and Wrexham.

It was while playing for Wrexham against Peterborough that he gained a most important admirer and one which would aid his rise in the game. Managed by Darren Ferguson, Peterborough were being watched that evening by Darren's father - Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and the Scottish managerial legend saw enough in Foster to tempt him to Old Trafford in the sumer of 2005. Foster's first couple of season's in the big-time were actually spent with Watford, for whom he was recognised in their promotion season as the Hornets' Player of the Year. Ben managed only 23 appearances for Manchester United once he completed his two-season stint at Vicarage Road, and then moved on to Birmingham City for a year before finally settling at West Bromwich Albion in 2011.

Foster became just the second former Tiverton player to earn his full international stripes when, in 2007, he pulled on the Engalnd goalkeeper's jersey in a friendly against Spain. He appearaed intermittently on the international stage but never managed to cement his place in the squad - let alone the starting line-up - and the toils of the professional game caused him to make himself unavailable for national selection for a short time before going back on this decision and earning a further call-up to the England squad in 2013, where he added a sixth cap to his puncuated tally. In May 2014 Foster's good form at West Brom was rewarded with a call-up to the World Cup squad, a major landmark as he had missed out in 2010 when Robert Green, David James and Joe Hart were offered the airline tickets to South Africa.

In 2003 when Foster first stepped out at Ladysmead he was just another loanee. He quickly won over the Tivvy support and the trust of his teammates, and his maturity even at that young age stood him in good stead to carve out a successful professional career. He will go down as - so far - the most decorated player ever to pull on a Tiverton jersey, and he will also be remembered fondly by those who saw him play for the Yellows as a remarkably humble and affable person.