BEN Foster has an uncanny habit of popping up from nowhere, especially for a lad who is 6ft 2in and weighs nearly 13 stone!
The 22-year-old goalkeeper has gone from being third-choice at Stoke City to a £1million Manchester United player, providing one of the surprise transfer stories of a slow-trading summer.
But Foster has made a habit of taking quantum leaps in a stuttering career.
At 17, he was working as a chef and was substitute keeper for a Racing Club Warwick side relegated from the Dr Marten's League Western and Midland Division.
Hardly a salubrious start for a man born in Leamington Spa, just down the road from Warwick.
But on his 18th birthday, after making just 18 first-team starts for Racing Club, Stoke City moved in with an offer of £10,000 plus a friendly match.
Former Racing manager Billy Hollywood was in the hot seat when Foster was sold to Stoke, and was not surprised that United had signed him for a deal that could see Stoke earn £2.75m.
Hollywood said: "I'm delighted for Ben as he's a fine keeper with a great attitude.
"Right from the first day I saw him play - away to Studley - I felt he had the necessary qualities to make it to the higher stage."
The move to Stoke came in August 2002, but within three months Foster was back in the shadows, loaned to Bristol City and then non-league Tiverton.
Problem
His biggest problem was that ahead of him in the pecking order at Stoke were former Holland international Ed de Goey and ex- Everton stopper Steve Simonsen.
A knee ligament injury he sustained playing tennis during the summer break in 2003 hardly did Foster any favours, keeping him out for six months.
After returning to fitness, he was on the road yet again, loaned to neighbours Stafford Rangers and then Kidderminster.
The stop-start career took a turn for the better in January this year when Foster was packed off to League One strugglers Wrexham.
The Welsh side were relegated, but Foster was playing alongside Sir Alex Ferguson's son Darren.
The former Reds midfielder was impressed with the keeper and mentioned him to dad, who sent goalkeeping coach Tony Coton along to have a look.
News got back to Foster of United's interest when Darren mentioned it to him, after a game at Bristol City.
When Sir Alex saw Foster put in a fine display as Wrexham won the LDV Vans Trophy at the Millennium Stadium, the wheels were in motion.
Foster signed a four-year deal last week - and played his first game in a goalless reserve outing at Hyde United on Sunday.
Now he is likely to be loaned out for the season again, with high recommendation from the United manager.
"I saw the potential of Ben Foster countless times last season, as well as the fact that I had Darren raving about him and telling me the kind of lad he was," said Sir Alex.
"Having done all that homework and having had the recommendations, we felt he was too good to miss.
"It doesn't reflect on the other young goalkeepers because I think I have got some excellent young goalkeepers here; the best we have ever had. But when someone turns up with Ben Foster's physique - he's a massive lad - then I think we have done the right thing."
Do you think United were right to go for Foster? Have your say.
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Am I right in saying he saved a penalty on his debut?
I think he's the third best buy of the summer.
Another B#1m down the swannee.
Declan;I think he saved a penalty in his 2nd game v Peterborough.His debut was v Hyde.He hasn't conceded and I think we'll get our money back if he doesn't make it.SAF has taken unnecessary criticism over what could be his best buy!
Declan;The penalty save was in his 2nd game.IT WAS DEFINATELY V ROSSENDALE
Wow! he weighs 13 stone and 6 ft 2in , unheard of! must be special then.
great story, Foster makes a giant leap. what the heck! Boring Boring, give us big name signings,transfers, speculation anything! not paint drying stories.
If he was a chef he might appreciate this one " the proof of the pudding is in the eating!" So we wait and see, nice to see somebody keep going like he has good luck to the lad!
So true, red junior, so true. There's one million pounds we'll never see again!!
i you dont go out on loan some time you will always be 3RD in line ,go to another club be a first team goalkeeper
God almighty, I can't believe MEN are still going on about such a minor signing. Lack of news or what.
Here we go again - people are already slating this poor lad before even playing a minute for the club. Imagine what the lad will pass through when he makes his first mistake.
Agreed Joe but it will feel good when he becomes a success and we can slate everyone who doubted him before they'd seen him play (you can always hope).
Agree with Joe. Trouble is, if/when he becomes a success the same people who are slating him (having never seen him play) will all be saying "I told you so! Always thought he was gonna be a great signing!" People have very selective memories.
Well.let's recall how many millons we've wasted on transfers these years,and whether this million spent on Ben worthy or not is still unknown,the deal is already done,so why not thinking more positive of our future.the child is really special,tall and strong,he could move tony.colton within such a short time,so why he won't be able to move us in the future?we've been suffering from the jokes our keepers made these years,Ben is our hope,never hurt the youngman before he's got a chance to show himself to us!
Most of you are missing the point. It is not about whether or not Ben Foster is a success in the future. He should not be a story at all, he should have been signed with no fuss and no newsprint wasted.