Ben Foster reveals unknown rule about England camp that every player has to follow

Ben Foster has revealed a little know rule about the England camp and explained how Ross Barkley once narrowly missed breaking it in embarrassing fashion.

Retired goalkeeper Foster picked up a total of eight caps for the Three Lions between 2007 and 2014, when he was at Manchester United, Watford, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.

Foster retired from playing last year for the second time, hanging up his gloves in the aftermath of a 5-5 draw for Wrexham against Swindon Town at the Racecourse Ground, feeling he could no longer play to the level required and allowing the Dragons to bring in another goalkeeper.

Towards the end of Foster's time with England, Barkley was starting to emerge as a member of the Three Lions squad, having made his debut in 2013.

And the 41-year-old revealed the little known rule which Fabio Capello brought in.

It is well known the Italian was very strict with his management style, and this extended to timings and even the footwear which players donned for team meetings and meals.

In Barkley's early days with England, Foster revealed the time when the midfielder had to act fast to ensure he was not spotted at dinner wearing flip flops, as trainers were the appropriate footwear.

And with strict timings in place, Foster explained how Barkley had to act fast to be back in time.

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Speaking on his own podcast, Foster said: "Whenever you got one of the new players that was their first call-up into the team, you'd always see them walk through the door and they'd be so nervous.

"But it was nice at the same time and Ross Barkley did the same thing - he came down in his flip flops.

"Say dinner was at 7.30, players would normally start coming down at about 25 past, 20 past. Ross Barkley came down at 26 minutes past and it was a massive thing with Capello, timings, being on time and making sure you're not late.

"He came down at 26 minutes past and all the lads see him in his flip flops. Everyone is half buzzing, but half scared and half excited at the same time.

"As soon as he walks down, somebody goes 'Ross, mate, flip flops, no!'

"He's like 'what do you mean, flip flops no?

"'No, trainers, go and put some trainers and socks on now!'

"So he's got to go back up the fire escape two floors, sprinting, and he's got three-and-a-half minutes!

"We're normally in for a meeting or it's all in for dinner, but either way you have to be there, good to go, and he (Capello) will be stood there at the door at 7.30 like that (looking at watch)."

It's unclear if Barkley made it back on time - but for his sake, let's hope he did!

Topics: Ben Foster, England, Fabio Capello, Ross Barkley, Football

John McDougall