Steve Foster (footballer born 1974)
Encyclopedia
Stephen "Steve" Foster is a professional footballer, currently playing for Spennymoor Town.
defender Colin Foster
, began his career at Mansfield Town, where he made a handful of appearances before being released by the club. He later played for Conference
sides Telford United
and Woking
, before returning to the Football League
with Bristol Rovers
in 1997. After five seasons with Bristol Rovers, in which he made 237 appearances in all competitions, Foster was released by new manager Ray Graydon
in April 2002 as Bristol Rovers sought to reduce their wage bill after finishing next to bottom of Division Three.
Foster joined Doncaster Rovers
in August 2002 on a short-term deal and then agreed a contract until the end of the 2002–03
season in the following October. He made 21 league appearance as Doncaster reached the inaugural Conference
play-off final
and won promotion to the Football League
in May 2003. His performances were rewarded with a one-year contract in June 2003 and a new two-year contract in February 2004. He made 44 league appearances in the 2003–04
season as Doncaster won a second successive promotion, and 34 league appearances in the 2004–05
season, which was interrupted by a serious ankle injury sustained in September 2004. He made a further 17 league appearances for Doncaster in the 2005–06
season, before leaving the club by mutual consent in January 2006 and joining Scunthorpe United
until the end of the 2006–07
season. He made 62 league appearances in the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons as Scunthorpe won the League One
championship in May 2007, and he took the Scunthorpe United's official Player of the Year award.
Foster was offered a new contract at the end of the 2006–07 season, but opted to join Darlington
where he was reunited with his former manager at Doncaster, Dave Penney, and was named as captain for the 2007–08
season.
In late 2009, it was discovered that Foster had a clause written into his contract, that qualified him for a new contract with Darlington, if was to make just one more league appearance (not from the substitute bench) for the club. Because of Darlington's financial constraints Foster was sidelined to avoid the new contract being activated. And on the 1st of March 2010 Foster left Darlington to sign for Blue Square North club Blyth Spartans.
Foster returned to his roots by signing a one-year deal with Mansfield Town on May 28, 2010. On 31 May 2011, it was announced that Foster's contract would not be renewed. Foster now plays for Spennymoor Town in the Northern Football League.
(Note: Soccerbase erroneously lists his birthdate as October 1, 1979)
Career
Foster, who is the son of former Mansfield TownMansfield 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...
defender 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....
, began his career at Mansfield Town, where he made a handful of appearances before being released by the club. He later played for Conference
Conference National
Conference 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...
sides Telford United
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
and Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
, before returning to the Football League
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...
with Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in 1997. After five seasons with Bristol Rovers, in which he made 237 appearances in all competitions, Foster was released by new manager Ray Graydon
Ray Graydon
Ray Graydon is an English football manager and retired football player. He was recently employed as First Team Coach of Championship team, Leicester City while Rob Kelly was manager during the 2005-06 season.-Playing career:...
in April 2002 as Bristol Rovers sought to reduce their wage bill after finishing next to bottom of Division Three.
Foster joined Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
in August 2002 on a short-term deal and then agreed a contract until the end of the 2002–03
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
season in the following October. He made 21 league appearance as Doncaster reached the inaugural Conference
Conference National
Conference 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...
play-off final
Final (competition)
The final of a competition is the match or round in which the winner of the entire event is decided.In sports competitions following a knockout system, where only two individuals or teams compete in each match, the final is usually played between the winners of two semi-finals...
and won promotion to the Football League
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...
in May 2003. His performances were rewarded with a one-year contract in June 2003 and a new two-year contract in February 2004. He made 44 league appearances in the 2003–04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
season as Doncaster won a second successive promotion, and 34 league appearances in the 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season, which was interrupted by a serious ankle injury sustained in September 2004. He made a further 17 league appearances for Doncaster in the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season, before leaving the club by mutual consent in January 2006 and joining Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
until the end of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season. He made 62 league appearances in the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons as Scunthorpe won the League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
championship in May 2007, and he took the Scunthorpe United's official Player of the Year award.
Foster was offered a new contract at the end of the 2006–07 season, but opted to join Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
where he was reunited with his former manager at Doncaster, Dave Penney, and was named as captain for the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season.
In late 2009, it was discovered that Foster had a clause written into his contract, that qualified him for a new contract with Darlington, if was to make just one more league appearance (not from the substitute bench) for the club. Because of Darlington's financial constraints Foster was sidelined to avoid the new contract being activated. And on the 1st of March 2010 Foster left Darlington to sign for Blue Square North club Blyth Spartans.
Foster returned to his roots by signing a one-year deal with Mansfield Town on May 28, 2010. On 31 May 2011, it was announced that Foster's contract would not be renewed. Foster now plays for Spennymoor Town in the Northern Football League.
As a player
- WokingWoking F.C.Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
- FA TrophyFA TrophyThe Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
winner: 1996–971996-97 in English footballThe 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
- FA Trophy
- Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
- 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...
Play-Off Final winner: 2002–032002-03 in English footballThe 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable... - Division Three Title winner: 2003–042003-04 in English footballThe 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
- Conference National
- Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe United F.C.Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Title winner: 2006–072006-07 in English footballThe 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
- League One
External links
(Note: Soccerbase erroneously lists his birthdate as October 1, 1979)