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Ian Foster (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Ian Foster is an English football manager who is currently in charge of Dundalk
in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He is a holder of the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest qualification in football coaching.
to Saint Patrick's Athletic
. The season previous, Foster acted as Kenna’s assistant and helped Galway to safety, before being promoted to the manager’s seat two months later. As a player, Foster started out at Liverpool and went on to spend time at Chester City
, Hereford United
and Kidderminster Harriers
in both League Two
and the Conference
.
He retired from playing football in early 2006 to take up the position of physio with the Harriers. However, his time in that job came to an end when he arrived at Galway in April 2008, as he accompanied Kenna to Terryland Park following the sacking of Tony Cousins
. The Tribesmen experienced a turbulent season due to financial worries, problems which forced both Kenna and Foster out of retirement to help Galway’s cause.
In the end, the pair helped guide United to safety as they secured their Premier Division status by defeating UCD on the final day of the season. Indeed, Foster could well have ended up at Dundalk in 2010 as Kenna applied for a number of jobs before deciding to remain at Galway. However, the former Irish international made a surprise U-turn in January, leaving the Galway manager’s chair open for Foster, who quickly accepted the challenge. He again helped the Westerners to safety as they ended the season in eighth, avoiding a relegation playoff with Drogheda United thanks to the demise of Derry City
.
At the finish, Galway, despite being beaten three times in the sides’ four meetings, were just two points behind Dundalk in the table, and following the departure of Sean Connor
from Oriel Park
within 17 hours of the final game of the season, Foster took over at the border venue when he was announced as the new boss on 4 December. Foster’s first ever game in charge was a 0–0 friendly draw with Athlone Town on 7 February and he went on to become the first manager to win his first league game at the helm since John Hewitt
in 1996 as Dundalk grabbed a last-minute winner at Bray Wanderers
on the opening day of the 2010 season.
In July 2011, Foster completed his UEFA Pro Licence.
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He is a holder of the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest qualification in football coaching.
Career
Foster cut his management teeth when he was appointed as boss of Galway United in January 2009 after the departure of Jeff KennaJeff Kenna
Jeffrey Jude Kenna is an Irish football manager and former player who played the largest part of his career as a defender with Southampton and Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. He has managed Galway United and St Patrick's Athletic...
to Saint Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
. The season previous, Foster acted as Kenna’s assistant and helped Galway to safety, before being promoted to the manager’s seat two months later. As a player, Foster started out at Liverpool and went on to spend time at Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
and Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
in both League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
and the Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
.
He retired from playing football in early 2006 to take up the position of physio with the Harriers. However, his time in that job came to an end when he arrived at Galway in April 2008, as he accompanied Kenna to Terryland Park following the sacking of Tony Cousins
Tony Cousins
Tony Cousins is a former Irish footballer and the current coach of League of Ireland club, Longford Town. He is the older brother of Andrew Cousins and first cousin of Tommy Dunne....
. The Tribesmen experienced a turbulent season due to financial worries, problems which forced both Kenna and Foster out of retirement to help Galway’s cause.
In the end, the pair helped guide United to safety as they secured their Premier Division status by defeating UCD on the final day of the season. Indeed, Foster could well have ended up at Dundalk in 2010 as Kenna applied for a number of jobs before deciding to remain at Galway. However, the former Irish international made a surprise U-turn in January, leaving the Galway manager’s chair open for Foster, who quickly accepted the challenge. He again helped the Westerners to safety as they ended the season in eighth, avoiding a relegation playoff with Drogheda United thanks to the demise of Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
.
At the finish, Galway, despite being beaten three times in the sides’ four meetings, were just two points behind Dundalk in the table, and following the departure of Sean Connor
Sean Connor
Sean Connor is a former footballer and manager currently without a club.-Playing career:Connor began his career at Distillery in the Irish League where he played for one full season before moving to Port Vale...
from Oriel Park
Oriel Park
Oriel Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Dundalk, County Louth, Republic of Ireland. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Dundalk F.C. Its current capacity is about 4,500 with 3,000 seats. The ground was opened in 1919.-History:...
within 17 hours of the final game of the season, Foster took over at the border venue when he was announced as the new boss on 4 December. Foster’s first ever game in charge was a 0–0 friendly draw with Athlone Town on 7 February and he went on to become the first manager to win his first league game at the helm since John Hewitt
John Hewitt (footballer)
John Hewitt, , is a Scottish former footballer and manager, who spent the majority of his playing career with Aberdeen F.C., but also had spells with Celtic and St. Mirren among others...
in 1996 as Dundalk grabbed a last-minute winner at Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname...
on the opening day of the 2010 season.
In July 2011, Foster completed his UEFA Pro Licence.
Managerial stats
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Galway United |  |
2009 | 2009 | 41 | 14 | 7 | 20 | 34.15 |
| Dundalk Dundalk F.C. Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The... |
|
2010 | Present | 95 | 35 | 23 | 37 | 36.84 |
Honours
- Conference NationalConference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
: 2- Kidderminster Harriers 1999/2000
- Chester City F.C.Chester City F.C.Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
2003/2004
- Connacht Senior CupConnacht Senior Cup (Association football)Connacht Senior Cup is a recently revived knockout competition that features junior teams and League of Ireland representatives from the province of Connacht...
- Galway UnitedGalway UnitedGalway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
2008
- Galway United