Richard Foster (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Richard Martyn "Ricky" Foster (born 31 July 1985 in Aberdeen
, Scotland
) is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as captain of Scottish Premier League
club Aberdeen
. Foster has spent most of his career playing as a right winger, but has more recently been deployed at both right and left full back
. Foster is a versatile player, as goalkeeper is the only position in which he has never played.
aged 17 on 10 May 2003 in a Scottish Premier League
match against Partick Thistle
, coming on as a substitute for Darren Mackie
. He scored his first goal for the club almost exactly a year later during a 2-1 league win over Dundee
on 15 May 2004. Foster became a first team regular under Jimmy Calderwood
and signed a two-year contract extension on 31 July 2007.
Although naturally a right winger, Foster made significant progress by playing in the left back position during the 2007–08 season, impressing with his man-marking performances when Aberdeen's first-choice left back Richie Byrne
was injured. On 20 September 2007, he made his European debut in the first leg of Aberdeen's UEFA Cup first round tie against Dnipro
, coming on as a 72nd minute substitute for Jackie McNamara
as the game ended 0-0. Foster started at left back in the return match in Ukraine
on 4 October and provided the assist for Darren Mackie
's opening goal, sending in a delightful cross for the striker to head home from close range. Despite Dnipro salvaging a 1-1 draw, Aberdeen progressed to the group stages of the tournament on away goals
. On 20 December, Foster scored the first European goal of his career in Aberdeen's 4-0 UEFA Cup group stage win over Copenhagen
. The result put the Dons through to the last 32, where they lost 7-3 on aggregate to Bayern Munich
; drawing the first leg 2-2 at Pittodrie and losing 5-1 in the second leg at the Allianz Arena
.
In February 2009, Foster was involved in a training ground bust up with Calderwood which lead to him being omitted from the Aberdeen squad to face Dundee United
on 21 February, after he called the then Dons manager "stupid".
, with Gers striker Andrius Velička
moving in the opposite direction. He was given the number 12 shirt and made his Rangers debut on 11 September, coming on as a substitute for Kirk Broadfoot
in a 2-1 victory over Hamilton Accies
. Foster made his first Rangers start on 20 October in a Champions League
group stage match against Valencia
at Ibrox
, where he was selected as man of the match
.
Many of Foster's Rangers appearances came in the Champions League and Europa League. He played at right back in a 2-2 draw with Sporting Clube de Portugal in the secon leg of the Europa League last 32, as Rangers won with the away goal rule coming into play. He was involved in an Old Firm
match against Celtic
on 2 March 2011, where the 1-0 defeat was overshadowed by scenes at the conclusion of the match. Foster's European run continued in the last 16 first leg against PSV Eindhoven on 10 March, which ended 0-0.
He finished the SPL season with a winner's medal, having made enough appearances to contribute to Rangers title success.
's successor as Aberdeen captain for the 2011-12 season.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as captain of Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. Foster has spent most of his career playing as a right winger, but has more recently been deployed at both right and left full back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. Foster is a versatile player, as goalkeeper is the only position in which he has never played.
Aberdeen
Foster made his debut for AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
aged 17 on 10 May 2003 in a Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
match against Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
, coming on as a substitute for Darren Mackie
Darren Mackie
Darren Graham Mackie is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League. He is currently the club's top Scottish Premier League goalscorer, with 57 goals....
. He scored his first goal for the club almost exactly a year later during a 2-1 league win over Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
on 15 May 2004. Foster became a first team regular under Jimmy Calderwood
Jimmy Calderwood
James "Jimmy" Calderwood is a Scottish former footballer and currently without a club having recently been manager of Ross County. Calderwood played for English clubs Birmingham City and Cambridge United and Dutch clubs Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II Tilburg, Roda JC and Heracles Almelo...
and signed a two-year contract extension on 31 July 2007.
Although naturally a right winger, Foster made significant progress by playing in the left back position during the 2007–08 season, impressing with his man-marking performances when Aberdeen's first-choice left back Richie Byrne
Richie Byrne
Richard "Richie" Byrne is an Irish footballer currently playing for Hungerford Town F.C..-Career:Byrne signed for Shamrock Rovers in the summer of 2000 from Stella Maris F.C. and made his debut in the Leinster Senior Cup away to St. Francis on 21 November 2000, in a 6–2 win. He was Young Player of...
was injured. On 20 September 2007, he made his European debut in the first leg of Aberdeen's UEFA Cup first round tie against Dnipro
FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Football Club Dnipro is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Dnipropetrovsk.-BRIT:The club's franchise traces its history all the way back when the first team that was formed in 1918 by the Petrovsky factory and was called as BRIT . The team participated in the regional competition...
, coming on as a 72nd minute substitute for Jackie McNamara
Jackie McNamara
Jackie McNamara is a Scottish football player and manager who currently manages Partick Thistle. He is a former Scottish international and has filled a variety of defensive roles in his career and captained Celtic under the management of Martin O'Neill.-Dunfermline Athletic:The son of former...
as the game ended 0-0. Foster started at left back in the return match in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
on 4 October and provided the assist for Darren Mackie
Darren Mackie
Darren Graham Mackie is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League. He is currently the club's top Scottish Premier League goalscorer, with 57 goals....
's opening goal, sending in a delightful cross for the striker to head home from close range. Despite Dnipro salvaging a 1-1 draw, Aberdeen progressed to the group stages of the tournament on away goals
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
. On 20 December, Foster scored the first European goal of his career in Aberdeen's 4-0 UEFA Cup group stage win over Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen is a professional Danish football club in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is part of the Parken Sport & Entertainment....
. The result put the Dons through to the last 32, where they lost 7-3 on aggregate to Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
; drawing the first leg 2-2 at Pittodrie and losing 5-1 in the second leg at the Allianz Arena
Allianz Arena
The Allianz Arena is a football stadium in the north of Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The two professional Munich football clubs FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 München have played their home games at Allianz Arena since the start of the 2005–06 season...
.
In February 2009, Foster was involved in a training ground bust up with Calderwood which lead to him being omitted from the Aberdeen squad to face Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
on 21 February, after he called the then Dons manager "stupid".
Rangers (loan)
On 31 August 2010, Foster moved on a season-long loan to SPL champions RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, with Gers striker Andrius Velička
Andrius Velicka
Andrius Velička is a Lithuanian professional association footballer who plays for FK Ekranas. He also plays for the Lithuania national team.-FBK Kaunas:...
moving in the opposite direction. He was given the number 12 shirt and made his Rangers debut on 11 September, coming on as a substitute for Kirk Broadfoot
Kirk Broadfoot
Kirk Broadfoot is a Scottish professional association football player who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers. He has played mainly as a centre back during his career but has been playing regularly as a right back and sometimes as a left back...
in a 2-1 victory over Hamilton Accies
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
. Foster made his first Rangers start on 20 October in a Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
group stage match against Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
, where he was selected as man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
.
Many of Foster's Rangers appearances came in the Champions League and Europa League. He played at right back in a 2-2 draw with Sporting Clube de Portugal in the secon leg of the Europa League last 32, as Rangers won with the away goal rule coming into play. He was involved in an Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
match against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
on 2 March 2011, where the 1-0 defeat was overshadowed by scenes at the conclusion of the match. Foster's European run continued in the last 16 first leg against PSV Eindhoven on 10 March, which ended 0-0.
He finished the SPL season with a winner's medal, having made enough appearances to contribute to Rangers title success.
Return to Aberdeen
On Foster's return to Aberdeen, he was appointed as Paul HartleyPaul Hartley
Paul James Hartley is a Scottish professional footballer. He is currently player and manager at Alloa Athletic. Hartley began his career as a right winger, but was moved into a central midfield position in 2002...
's successor as Aberdeen captain for the 2011-12 season.
Career statistics
| Club | |League | |League Cup | |Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Aberdeen Aberdeen F.C. Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen... |
2002–03 2002-03 in Scottish football The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2003–04 2003-04 in Scottish football The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA... |
18 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2004–05 2004-05 in Scottish football The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman... |
25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2005–06 2005-06 in Scottish football The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill... |
25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2006–07 2006-07 in Scottish football The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and... |
37 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 3 | |
| 2007–08 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... |
33 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 48 | 2 | |
| 2008–09 2008-09 in Scottish football The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the... |
34 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 212 | 7 | 19 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 249 | 8 | |
| Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... (loan) |
2010–11 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Total | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| Career total | 227 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 273 | 8 | |
Honours
Rangers
Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
: 1
-
- 2011