Ben Foster has announced retirement from football for the second time in less than a year after conceding 10 goals in Wrexham’s first two opening League Two matches.
Foster starred for Wrexham on his return to active football after he previously called it quit in September 2022
The former Manchester United and English top goalkeeper has hung his gloves again for the second time in less than a year after few months of returning to action with Wrexham.
Foster, 40, had a great career with Watford – his last stop from a long route of a legendary career.
However, the former Birmingham City goalie shocked English football fans when he decided to turn down advances by Premier League side Newcastle United in 2022 and opted to retire.
However, few months after annoucing his first retirement, he came back to action in March 2023, returning to his former club Wrexham.
It was his second stint with Wrexham, having played for the club in 2005 as a Stoke City loanee. On his return, Foster awakened his career with a promising start. He made his Wrexham debut in a 3-0 win over New York City and kept the sticks for the club as they seal promotion to League Two from the National League.
One of his biggest moments for Wrexham was when he saved a late penalty that secured Wrexham’s 3-2 win over Notts County to hand the Welsh outfit the National League trophy and promotion to League Two.
After helping Wrexham seal promotion to League Two, Forster penned a new contract with the club till 2024 and was an integral part of the squad as they set out to win promotion to League One.
However, it has been a disappointing League Two spell for Foster. In Wrexham’s opening League Two clash against MK Dons, Ben Forster conceded five goals as Wrexham started with a defeat.
In the second game against Swindon Town, Foster also saw the ball slip pass him five times as Wrexham conceded another five goals in two consecutive matches although they salvage a draw and share spoils.
Despite still earning the trust of the club’s hierarchy, the two matches were final dead blows that actually forced Foster to hang the boots again.
Frankly speaking about his decision to call it quit, Foster said he could not continue and needed to take the decision early enough to aid Wrexham assess their options in the transfer market.
“The honest truth is that my performances this season haven’t reached the level I demand of myself and I feel that now is the right time to retire”, he said.
“At the forefront of my mind when making this decision was not only what was best for me but also the club, and making the decision now gives the club every opportunity to assess their options before the window closes.”
The news of his retirement will come as shock to Wrexham, who have drafted him to the club’s squad plans.
Wrexham took to the club’s website to confirm Ben Foster’s shock retirement. The League Two side will hope to find a replacement for the experienced shotstopper as they continue with 2023/24 season.
Ben Foster made 10 appearances for Wrexham before calling time on his career for the second time.
