Wrexham ’s Hollywood owner Ryan Reynolds got a good sniff of new signing Ben Foster’s match-worn jersey after the former Premier League goalkeeper made his second debut for the club in the 3-0 win over York City.
Foster, 39, came out of retirement to help his former club reach League Two, with the Wales-based club sit top of the National league on 97 points from 39 games. An injury to first-team goalkeeper Rob Lainton was also a reason for Foster’s return.
On his second debut, Foster kept a clean sheet. Wrexham took the lead through a Ryan Whitley own goal. Two late goals by Sam Dalby and ex-West Ham academy star Elliot Lee wrapped up the points.
Like he did during his Watford days, which drew criticism and opposition gloating, Foster stuck a GoPro in the net to capture the afternoon’s events. Foster’s footage gives fans a better insight into the life of a professional goalkeeper.
But after the game, Foster rubbed shoulders with his new boss, Hollywood actor Reynolds. The Canadian A-lister, who owns Wrexham alongside fellow film star Rob McElhenney, joined Foster to help promote his jersey giveaway.
In his usual enthusiastic manner, Reynolds put on a show for Foster’s YouTube channel enticing fans to enter the giveaway, and he also got a good whiff of the former England international’s jersey, which he says “smells exactly like victory, and some other stuff...” before giving a playful glance to the camera.
Foster’s return is a welcomed boost to Wrexham, who are locked in a tight National League title race with Notts County. They have a three-point and a game-in-hand advantage, with seven games left to play.
Wrexham are next in action against Oldham Athletic on April 1, which will take place at the Racecourse Ground. Over 10,000 were in attendance for the York clash and similar is expected.
The men’s team will also be hoping to match the Wrexham women’s team, who claimed their league title in an unbeaten season. Rosie Hughes scored a late winner as Wrexham Women beat Connah's Quay 2-1 on Sunday. The club also set a new domestic women’s attendance record, with 9,000-plus packing into the ground to witness the title jubilation, for which both Reynolds and McElhenney were in attendance.
