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Ben Foster left Watford at the end of last season. PA

Lack of enthusiasm for Newcastle move told Ben Foster it was time to retire

The former Manchester United goalkeeper has decided to finish a career spanning almost two decades.

FORMER ENGLAND GOALKEEPER Ben Foster has announced his retirement.

The 39-year-old left Watford at the end of last season and has decided to bring an end to a career spanning almost two decades.

Foster was capped eight times by England having joined Manchester United from Stoke as a youngster.

He made 23 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the League Cup twice after impressing on successive loan spells at Watford.

Foster went on to play for Birmingham and West Brom and returned to Vicarage Road in 2018.

He announced his retirement on his YouTube channel, also revealing he turned down a move to Newcastle last week before making the decision.

“Welcome back to a very special edition of the FozCast because today I’ve got an announcement to make – it is a big one,” he said on his Cycling GK series.

“The time has finally come for me to announce my retirement. I have got a belting story for you and it will explain my reasons why I know finally that it is time to hang the gloves up and enter retirement.”

Foster then explained how he had been approached by Newcastle after Karl Darlow had suffered an injury but that “deep down I didn’t want to do it” as contract talks progressed.

He revealed an agreement was reached and a medical was booked, adding: “I was just eating my dinner and I thought ‘no, I’m not doing it’,” as the idea of living away from his family turned him off the move.

“I’ve got to be happy and comfortable and I wouldn’t be able to do that so far away from my family. It would kill me.”

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    Mute Stanley
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    Apr 26th 2021, 2:51 PM

    Let’s cal him Rowan Van Der Osborne

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Apr 26th 2021, 9:22 PM

    @Stanley: …Jesus!…why waste the energy?

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Apr 26th 2021, 2:38 PM

    Good signing all round, he probably needs game time and with Murray and Casey going to be away with the Irish for a good chunk of next season, himself and Cronin should get plenty of games

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:37 PM

    @Patrick O Connell: cronin is still not fit after his acl operation, so another 9 is needed

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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:47 PM

    @Chris Tobin: Probably just make do with short term signings during international windows, barring a long term injury to anyone. I really think the move like the Patterson one should be utilized more. One province gets emergency cover without a big outlay, while the the other gets valuable gametime into an unused player.

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    Mute David Finn
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    Apr 26th 2021, 4:26 PM

    @Patrick O Connell: I wouldn’t be so sure about Casey and Murray both being away on international duty next season. Murray yes, Casey still a lot to do.

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Apr 26th 2021, 7:46 PM

    @David Finn: Casey will be in the squads, Cooney is out of favour, McGrath is behind JGP so they won’t be picked

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    Mute Paddy Waggon
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    Apr 26th 2021, 2:39 PM

    Bit random is it not.
    One Leinster guy out and then one in.
    Maybe we thought he was south African.

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    Mute Tom Murphy
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    Apr 26th 2021, 6:54 PM

    @Paddy Waggon: change the record

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    Mute Paddy Waggon
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    Apr 26th 2021, 7:12 PM

    @Tom Murphy: I don’t play record s

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    Mute Reg
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    Apr 26th 2021, 4:57 PM

    No big money older South African players available???

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    Mute michael o farrell
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    Apr 26th 2021, 5:15 PM

    @Reg: priceless. That’s just so funny. How do you come up with comedy gold like that?

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    Mute Paddy Waggon
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    Apr 26th 2021, 5:34 PM

    @michael o farrell: by , buying South Africans for every position.

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Apr 26th 2021, 7:50 PM

    @Reg: nope, Ulster have the NIQ spot taken regarding the scrum half position

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:44 PM

    Best of luck to him I hope it works out very well for him.

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    Mute Sole Trader
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    Apr 26th 2021, 2:57 PM

    Patterson better than this guy, no need for it

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    Mute Richard James
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:21 PM

    @Sole Trader: Thanks for letting us know; perhaps you could give JVG a bell and let him know that too?

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    Mute Joe Kennedy
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:28 PM

    @Sole Trader: Patterson is just short term injury cover. He’s still on Leinster’s books.

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    Mute Sole Trader
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:32 PM

    @Richard James: I could do a better job than jvg mate, wouldn’t waste my voice.

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    Mute Paddy Waggon
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:37 PM

    @Richard James: infairness Sole probably knows more about rugby the Jvg .

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    Mute Sole Trader
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:39 PM

    @Paddy Waggon: thank you paddy wouldn’t be too difficult !

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    Mute Richard James
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    Apr 26th 2021, 9:14 PM

    @Sole Trader: in that case I’d love to read your CV

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    Mute Ricky Wright
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    Apr 27th 2021, 4:44 AM

    @Richard James: So I’m guessing you’ve never once questioned a single decision made by a referee, or selection or substitution call made by a manager, or an on field decision made by a player etc? Not once?

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