Barry Foster (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Barry Foster is a retired English footballer who spent his entire Football League
career at Mansfield Town
, where he played as a left-back.
Foster graduated through Mansfield's youth team, and signed a professional contract in July 1970, after first completing his apprenticeship as a mining electrician
. He made his first-team debut for the Stags shortly before his 19th birthday, on 4 September 1971 against Plymouth Argyle
. Incidentally, his unrelated namesake Colin Foster
made his debut in the same game.
At first, Foster had to bide his time in a reserve role, but when first-choice left-back Clive Walker
went down with an injury, Foster took advantage of the opportunity, and secured a regular place in the side. He was a member of the Mansfield side that finished top of Division Four in 1975
, and also won Division Three two years later. However, Foster broke his leg against Portsmouth
on the day promotion was confirmed, causing him to miss most of the club's Division Two campaign the following season.
In total, Foster played 343 matches for Mansfield in all competitions, without ever scoring a single goal for the club. He was released at the end of the 1981-82
season, and finished his career with a season at non-league Boston United
. After retiring from the game, he joined his family's market-trading business.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
career at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, where he played as a left-back.
Foster graduated through Mansfield's youth team, and signed a professional contract in July 1970, after first completing his apprenticeship as a mining electrician
Electrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
. He made his first-team debut for the Stags shortly before his 19th birthday, on 4 September 1971 against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. Incidentally, his unrelated namesake Colin Foster
Colin Foster (footballer born 1952)
Colin Foster is a retired English footballer who played as a central defender for Mansfield Town and Peterborough United....
made his debut in the same game.
At first, Foster had to bide his time in a reserve role, but when first-choice left-back Clive Walker
Clive Walker (footballer born 1945)
David Clive Allan Walker is an English-born former professional association footballer who played as a full back in the 1960s and 1970s....
went down with an injury, Foster took advantage of the opportunity, and secured a regular place in the side. He was a member of the Mansfield side that finished top of Division Four in 1975
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
, and also won Division Three two years later. However, Foster broke his leg against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on the day promotion was confirmed, causing him to miss most of the club's Division Two campaign the following season.
In total, Foster played 343 matches for Mansfield in all competitions, without ever scoring a single goal for the club. He was released at the end of the 1981-82
1981-82 in English football
The 1981–82 season was the 102nd season of competitive football in England.It was also the first season that the Three points for a win system was introduced.- First Division :Three points for a win was introduced for the first time in England...
season, and finished his career with a season at non-league Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
. After retiring from the game, he joined his family's market-trading business.