Ben Foster has revealed the stern warning he received before joining Wrexham AFC, as the club's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made it clear they weren't interested in players seeking publicity through their documentary series.
The former Manchester United and England goalkeeper came out of retirement in March 2023 to join the Welsh club at the SToK Racecourse. While the presence of the club's high-profile owners and their "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary series might have been an attractive proposition, Foster was quickly put in his place during negotiations.
"I was properly on the back foot at nearly 40 years old when I had Phil Parkinson grilling me," Foster recounted. "He was very clear with me and very honest. He said, listen, if you're coming here just for a bit of PR, then that's not what we're looking for. It's not going to work."
The goalkeeper was impressed by this direct approach, adding, "If you're coming here to work hard and help get us over the line, then this can be something. As soon as I heard those words, and I looked into his eyes, I thought that this is serious business here. I liked it."
Foster's stint at Wrexham proved to be more than just a publicity stunt. He earned his place in club folklore with a crucial penalty save against Notts County, becoming a fan favorite in the process. However, he ultimately decided to step away when the club achieved promotion to the English Football League, feeling that the step up in competition was beyond his capabilities at his age.
The Red Dragons have continued their remarkable journey without Foster, currently performing well in League One and pursuing what would be their third consecutive promotion, demonstrating that the club's ambitions extend far beyond their documentary series success.
