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Topics: Football, Wrexham, Ben Foster, Premier League, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Non-League
Ryan Sidle
Topics: Football, Wrexham, Ben Foster, Premier League, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Non-League
Ben Foster has certainly proved his worth to Wrexham, in his second spell at the club, but his initial time in Wales left Sir Alex Ferguson feeling 'robbed.'
Now I wouldn't want to cause any offence by comparing Ben Foster to any religious figures, but it only took the Wrexham goalkeeper a few days of the Easter weekend to go from rock bottom to hero status.
On Friday, the former England keeper was being absolutely buried following his side's 3-1 loss at the hands of Halifax Town, a result that threatened their chances of automatic promotion.
Fans were referring to his short term deal at the Racecourse Ground as an 'eight week PR signing,' following his display during the defeat.
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However, below the Premier League in English football, the Easter weekend provides the chance for very swift recovery, and that was fortunate for Foster.
On Monday, the Red Dragons took on title rivals Notts County in a huge game, with both sides sat on 100 points going into arguably the biggest National League game ever.
At 3-2 up in the dying moments, the hosts gave away a penalty, but Foster rose from his line to make the save and instantly become the hero.
However, he wasn't always so revered, and even when Ferguson signed him as a youngster from Stoke City, following his initial spell at Wrexham, the legendary manager thought he was 'robbed.'
Former Stoke City director of football, John Rudge, explained, via Stoke on Trent Live, how the move to the Potters, and eventually United came about.
"Ben trained with us and had a few loans in non-league but we had two established keepers (Ed de Goey and Steve Simonsen) so he was third choice when I got a call from Denis Smith, who was manager of Wrexham," Rudge explained about signing the keeper for £15,000.
"They had gone into administration, were in a relegation fight and needed a keeper.
"I suggested Ben but Denis was doubtful to have someone so inexperienced considering the trouble they were in.
"But he took him to take a look in training and rang back to say he’d done really well and that he’d take him.
"Alex Ferguson’s son Darren played for Wrexham at the time so he goes to watch a match, sees Ben play and likes the look of him as well…
"Fergie gives me a call and tells me to come up and see him so I go to their training ground.
"Alex was always very good to me. We’d built up a relationship from Port Vale although whenever we negotiated about anything I took the line that we had no money, which was true. He asked what we wanted for Ben and I said it would have to be £1m. He said, ‘What are you on about! He’s never even played for you!'
"But we struck a deal for £1m with a few bits and pieces on top as well. I’d send him a text over the years whenever Ben was doing particularly well and I’d get a reply, ‘You ***** robbed me over that!'"
Foster certainly cost Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney a lot less money, coming out of retirement for his current team to earn 'peanuts,' he may just help them into League Two, which wouldn't be much of a PR disaster at all.