09 June 2023 , 19:22
818
0
Ben Foster has heaped praise on Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after the experienced goalkeeper performed a U-turn to sign a new one-year deal.
Foster, 40, came out of retirement back in March to pen a short-term contract with the Red Dragons until the end of the season. He came in after first-choice 'keeper Rob Lainton suffered an unfortunate injury as Wrexham battled Notts County in an enthralling National League title race.
Wrexham earned promotion back to League Two for the first time since 2008 after beating Boreham Wood 3-1 back in April. It capped off a remarkable campaign for the Red Dragons, and although Foster made just eight appearances, his last-minute penalty save against Notts County will be remembered for decades.
With speculation rising surrounding his future, Foster has put those rumours to bed by signing a new deal - and he decided to praise Reynolds and McElhenney when asked about his contract.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Foster said: "Everything I have seen in the last couple of months being at that club has opened my eyes up to a whole new world of how a football club can be run, and should be run.
Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video
"They are doing it the proper way and I want to be a part of that. All the lads are buying into it, buzz off it. There are good lads all over the place. The owners do it properly and have kept apart of it from day one as well.
"I was one that was taken back because I walked into the changing room and there's massive cameraman in there, we've got microphones hanging from the ceiling. They are filming the series, they have got access all areas, absolutely everything, they are involved in the managers' team talks, half-time and all the little bits and bobs."
Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster (Getty Images)The news has also delighted his manager Phil Parkinson, who praised the former England stopper's application on and off the pitch, saying: "We’re delighted that Ben has signed for the coming season. It's a key signing for us because we all saw the impact, he had not just on the pitch but also around the training ground, and we are all looking forward to working with him again next season."
Wrexham coach David Jones spoke last month about the impact Foster has had since joining the club. "We knew what we were bringing in with Ben towards the end of the season," former Man Utd and Wrexham midfielder Jones told The MEN. "He's played at the highest level. We know he brings personality to the dressing room and on the pitch I think he displayed that in his performances and came up with big moments.
"His impact was big but so was Rob Lainton's and Mark Howard's, who played the majority of the games this season. Everybody played their part in the goalkeeping position."