On a recent podcast, goalkeeping hero Ben Foster revealed the special conditions the Wrexham co-owners agreed to in order for him to stay on another year.
After much speculation, Wrexham broke the news recently that Ben Foster has signed a new one-year contract with the club heading into next season.
The former Manchester United and England goalkeeper came out of retirement towards the back end of last season to help Wrexham with their playoff push.
The Cycling GK as he’s also known, was instrumental in the Red Dragons’ sealing the National League title. Foster’s penalty save in the final moments of the 3-2 win against title rivals Notts County was one of the highlights of the season.
The GK on staying at Wrexham for another season
Foster said of his decision to stay on for another year: “At the end of last season, it was obvious that I enjoyed being at the Club, I loved being part of the team and everything that Wrexham stands for.
“The fans took to me so warmly, Phil Parkinson is brilliant, Steve Parkin is top class, I love Aidan Davison to bits, and the Co-Chairmen are out of this world.
“I’d decided before the end of last season I wanted to do it because it feels like home. I’ve never joined a football club and felt at ease so quickly.
“I want to win another trophy. I’ve played something like 25 games, and I’ve won the LDV Vans Trophy, the National League, and now I want to win League Two.
“To be a small part in what is going to become a big machine in years to come is special. I can’t wait to see all the fans again, and bring the good times back to Wrexham because that’s where they belong.”
Ben Foster on the special conditions Reynolds and McElhenney agreed to
However, the decision wasn’t totally straightforward, with Foster revealing the special conditions Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney agreed to in order for him to stay on.
The dealbreaker for his contract extension was Ryan and Rob allowing him to have more days off. It was them allowing him to be flexible with his time that ultimately sealed the deal.
Speaking on The Fellas Podcast, Foster said: “They’d have to be flexible with me with sort of days off basically.
“Like I said earlier I live a couple hours away from Wrexham.
“So if I’m driving to training then that’s two hours and then I’ll train, and then to get home you’ve got to get through M6 through Birmingham… take you three hours sometimes.
In the six weeks I did the club were so good with me. They were so flexible. They gave me sort of extra days off.
“We would play on a Saturday, they’d give me Sunday and Monday off.
“I’d train on Tuesday, we’d all have a day off on Wednesday anyway. I’d only be training really three days.”
Foster first played for Wrexham over 18 years ago; in 2005 he had a brief stint at the club while on loan from Stoke City.
His new contract is undoubtedly an excellent coup for the club and keeps his fairytale return to the Racecourse going.