Ben Foster has decided to put off retirement to sign a new contract at Wrexham, and the former England goalkeeper's love for the game is clear.
The 40-year-old stopper played a pivotal role in the Red Dragons' dramatic promotion push last term, helping get Phil Parkinson's side over the line with a string of crucial performances in the run-in. In all, the ex-Manchester United star kept three clean sheets in eight outings after signing in January as the club beat Notts County to automatic promotion in a hard fought title-race.
The rise of the North Wales club under the guidance of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has captured the imagination with the pair bringing a unique brand of glamour to the Racecourse Ground.
Their pull was also enough to tempt Foster out of retirement after potential moves to Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur broke down. It has also now convinced Foster to extend his playing career for another year.
The signing of Foster - along with other eye-catching signings made by Wrexham - led to plenty of speculation regarding the finances involved and the money they were spending on wages. But Foster has spoken openly in the past about his passion for the game and the Red Dragons in particular.
Speaking on The Fozcast Podcast shortly after first signing for the club last season, he addressed such speculation and admitted he was on "literally peanuts". He stated his desire to play his part in helping Wrexham gain promotion after 15 years in the National League was a primary factor in his decision to join the club.
The former Watford stopper said: "I don’t need much [money]. To be honest, the negotiations took about five minutes.
"Wages wise, it’s literally peanuts… the part for me is getting the team over the line and getting them promoted. I'm a very low maintenance player. Just wheel me out, I'll do a job."
Now, it appears that the opportunity to try and defend the club's EFL status next season has proven impossible to turn down for the goalkeeper.
He explained the reasoning behind his decision to Wrexham's club website, stating: “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.”
