FOOTBALLER'S LIFE - Ben Foster, West Brom and England goalkeeper

Ben Foster spent much of his early playing career on loan in non-league football, however it was by chance that the Warwickshire born shot stopper was spotted by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005 while on loan at Wrexham.

Ferguson was in attendance to watch his son Darren, but with United struggling to find a heir apparent between the sticks since the departure of Peter Schmeichel, the red devils boss snapped up the young keeper shortly after for GBP1million.

At the age of 22, Foster was deemed not ready for first team action, and swiftly went out on loan to Championship side Watford for the season, with an option of a further year.

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd claimed in the press that Foster was 'better than current Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar' and he would be 'England's next goalkeeper', he repaid faith by helping Watford to promotion via a play off final victory over Leeds United.

He remained on loan at Watford in the Premier League and a succession of impressive displays earned him the clubs 'player of the season' award.

Boothroyd expressed a desire to keep Foster on the Watford books for a third season in a row, however the United manager made it clear the promising keeper would be returning to Old Trafford.

It finally seemed as though Foster would get some game time for his parent club two years after originally signing for them, however he underwent surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury that would rule him out until February 2008.

After returning to action, he made sporadic appearances for the first team in league and cup due to injuries and in order to rest Edwin Van Der Sar for big games.

Following a combination of niggling injuries, inconsistent form when called upon and Tomasz Kuszczak ahead of him in the United pecking order, Foster resigned himself to the necessity of a move away from Old Trafford to gain first team football.

That came in the shape of a three year contract with Birmingham City, a team in search of a replacement for incumbent loanee Joe Hart who would return to Manchester City.

Foster was relatively consistent throughout the season in the league, but for a mistake whilst on England duty in a 2-1 defeat to France.

A week later, the goalkeeper made a multitude of stops to deny league champions Chelsea, as Birmingham held firm for a 1-0 league win.

Foster told the Mirror: “When I signed on, I was just relieved to be playing first-team football. It has gone from strength to strength for me. It has worked out really well.”


A further 'blunder' did creep in during the semi final of the league cup, against West Ham, where Carlton Cole's shot slid underneath him.

However he made up for his error in the final, with a string of good saves on the way to a 2-1 victory over Arsenal, Birmingham city's first trophy in 48 years.

“To win a cup in my first season here is amazing”, said Foster.

The teams league cup final heroics couldn't keep them in the top flight and were relegated on the final day of the 2010-11 season.

Nevertheless, Foster was awarded both Birmingham's player of the season and players' player of the season awards.

Following relegation to the 2nd tier of English football, Foster found himself in familiar territory, on loan, this time at Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.

Foster would appear in 37 of 38 league games, keeping 10 clean sheets – equalling WBA's clean sheet record on route to a 10th placed finish in the Premier League, Albion's highest league finish in 30 years.

In June 2012, he joined the Baggies permanently on a 3 year deal, continuing his impressive displays by recording 7 clean sheets in 30 games.

Despite a 4 month lay off due to a foot injury this term, Foster has been included in Roy Hodgson's 23 man England squad to fly out to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

His selection comes as a reward for his hard work and performances on merit over the last few seasons whereby the 31 year old has found some stability in which to ply his trade.


FOOTBALLER'S STRIFE: Foster sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury on returning to Manchester United from a loan spell at Watford, this proved to scupper his promising United career.

ONE TO REMEMBER: Helped Birmingham win their first trophy in 48 years, with an impressive display against Arsenal in the league cup final, he was man of the match.

ONE TO FORGET: Foster and Birmingham couldn't beat the drop after the league cup triumph and were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the 2010-11 season.

FOOTBALLER STATS:

POSITION: Goalkeeper
CLUB: West Bromwich Albion
DOB: 03/04/1983
INTERNATIONAL CAPS: 6

Bargain Basement - Footballs sought after Free Agents

Ashley Cole - 33 - Defender

Widely regarded as the best English left-back in a generation, the 33-year-old is out of contract at Chelsea this summer after eight years at Stamford Bridge. Announced his international retirement prior to the naming of Roy Hodgson's England squad ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. Chelsea are believed to have offered a renewed 12-month contract with reduced terms but Cole looks poised to move on. The former Arsenal man is considering offers from several big clubs, both domestically and abroad - with Monaco and even Real Madrid showing an interest.

Rio Ferdinand - 35 - Defender

After 12 years and 10 trophies, 35-year-old Ferdinand has left Manchester United. Out of contract this summer, the West Ham academy product is available for nothing over a decade on from his record £30million arrival from Leeds. Near-unmatched experience at the highest level and no haggling over a transfer fee will make Ferdinand an attractive proposal for many clubs. FA Cup winners Arsenal, vanquished finalists Hull, MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy and a clutch of Turkish clubs are thought to be interested.

Samuel Eto'o - 33 - Striker

Derided over his age by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Eto'o will nevertheless carry the hopes of a nation when he turns out for Cameroon in his fourth World Cup this summer. His goalscoring record speaks for itself, with an impressive 55 strikes in 116 appearances for his country. Even an underwhelming single season at Chelsea delivered nine goals in 21 Premier League appearances. Speculation as to where the prolific goalscorer will play next is rife, with offers from clubs in the United States, Australia, Italy and Spain said to be forthcoming.

Gareth Barry - 33 - Midfielder

It was shrewd of Everton boss Roberto Martinez to sign the Manchester City midfielder on loan in the last knockings of the transfer window last summer. Barry proved a key member of Everton's squad, helping them to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League. However, a reported clause in the loan deal between City and Everton mean that the Toffees will need to raise £2.5million to sign him permanently, despite the player being out of contract this summer. A move to the MLS is also on the cards.

Bacary Sagna - 31 - Defender

Of all the players on this list Sagna's future looks the most certain, with Manchester City his expected destination. City boss Manuel Pellegrini has earmarked his targets early and Sagna is top of his shopping list. The France full-back is out of contract this summer but signed off from the Gunners in style by winning his first silverware in the FA Cup final. A move to City could also come with a reported  £120,000-a-week pay deal, while the lack of a transfer fee will be very attractive to City after their recent financial fair play sanction from UEFA. 

Success or be damned: End of the road for David Moyes

Hand picked as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor by the man himself, David Moyes’ tenure as Manchester United manager has ended 10 months into a 6-year contract.

Less than a year ago the then vacating Scotsman cast a long shadow, one Moyes struggled to step out of. 

That shadow was of a presence that masterminded the collection of 38 trophies over a 27-year period at Manchester United.

Whoever was to succeed Fergie would have found those shoes particularly tough to fill at any rate. 

A penny for Sir Alex's thoughts right now - the decision to remove Moyes as manager is billed as being based on results on the pitch not being good enough.

Reasoning anyone would be hard pushed to argue with following United’s lowest points tally in the Premier League era.

Others suggest he lost the dressing room, was out of his depth, not the calibre of tactician capable of leading a club like Manchester United.

Whatever the fine details, to a club and ownership that proclaimed the marriage between Manchester and Moyes would not yield to the culture of sacking managers, has sacked the manager.

The Press Association reported this morning that Ryan Giggs would take 'interim' charge of the Red Devils until the end of the season.

Thereafter, the rumour mill is chugging along nicely, here’s a list of potential replacements:

  

Jurgen Klopp

Many in the media and beyond see the charismatic German as the front-runner for the Old Trafford vacancy.

However, you sense the Dortmund project is far from finished, having only in the last couple of seasons established themselves as a force in Europe after nearly going out of business in 2005.

The 46 year old has captured 2 German league titles, 1 German cup and an appearance in the Champions League final for the BVB.

The former manager of Mainz signed a new five-year contract at Dortmund in October last year, halting any notion of a move away from Germany.

Contracts are meaningless I hear you cry? Not to this committed head coach.

Klopp told the Guardian: “Man Utd is a great club and I feel very familiar with their wonderful fans. But my commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the people is not breakable.”

A man of honour, dignity and duty. Enough said.

 

Diego Simeone 

Has a growing managerial reputation in Europe having taken Atletico Madrid to La Liga’s summit and to the semi finals of the Champions League this season.

He also lead Madrid to the Copa Del Rey last season and the UEFA Super Cup and Europa League prior to that.

When asked about the United job during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League semi final with Chelsea tonight, Simeone refused to comment, claiming he was focused solely on the task at hand and nullifying Chelsea.

He is also remembered for an altercation with one David Beckham at the France 98' World Cup.

Would Simeone like to test himself in England? Would he be suited to it?

Roberto Martinez

Worked wonders at Everton this season, if the 2-0 win over United last weekend told us anything, its how far Everton has come under Roberto Martinez and how woefully disenchanted Manchester United are by comparison.

Much like Klopp and Dortmund, Martinez and Everton have a good thing going at the minute, a project worth continuing rather than walking away from before anything is truly achieved.

Still in with a shout of finishing fourth, exciting Everton have a bright future under the guidance of Roberto Martinez.

Carlo Ancelotti

The current Real Madrid coach and ex Chelsea boss has the credentials you’d expect Manchester United to see as desirable.

However, Ancelotti has done his time in England, winning both the Premier League and FA Cup whilst at Stamford Bridge. Is taking the helm at United really in his sights? I’m not so sure.

The Italian did have his say on Moyes departure: “I feel sorry for David Moyes, but that's the life of a football coach, sometimes it doesn't go well for you and you are sacked.”

The 54 year old continued: “I am a little surprised because Manchester United don't normally do this.”

Class of 92

Evergreen Ryan Giggs is in ‘interim’ charge until the end of the season, whose to say his tenure couldn't be extended should he steady the ship with a good run in the four remaining fixtures, against teams you’d expect United on their day to skittle over.

Other graduates of the class of 92’ are already at the club such as Nicky Butt and Phil Neville. Old favourite Paul Scholes hasn’t been so far removed either, working with Under-19s manager Butt earlier in the season.

Gary Neville has TV commitments as well as with England, but I’m sure he’d make an exception for the club he spent the entirety of his club career at, amassing over 600 appearances.

Could the Fergie Fledglings usher in a new era at Old Trafford? There’s a certain romance to this.

Louis Van Gaal

The obvious choice.

Van Gaal has a near peerless abundance of experience managing some of the biggest clubs in European football, winning the big games, and the trophies to boot.

The 62 year old is currently in charge of the Dutch national team, a role he will leave after this summers World Cup - which would dispel any problematic compensation issues.

He’d also be able to channel the abilities of Robin Van Persie, who has had a relatively quiet season by his own standards.

Van Gaal has said of Moyes’ mismanagement of the Dutch striker: “The football from Man United now is, for him, maybe difficult but then he wishes to show his technique. Technique [levels] in the Dutch team [are] higher.”

You wouldn't bet against Van Gaal bringing the best out of Van Persie should he arrive at Old Trafford, the Dutch international has netted 6 times in 4 World Cup qualifiers for the Netherlands.

With Van Gaal’s experience comes a reputation, players of the highest level would want to play for him, buy into his philosophy and what he would be trying to do. He’d build a cohesive team, a Manchester, United.

FC United of Manchester: Dare to dream?

It’s been an out of sorts season for Manchester United, but for FC United of Manchester its business as usual as the pursuit for promotion to Skrill North intensifies.

The Red Rebels currently occupy 2^nd in the Northern Premier League, now just a point behind league leaders Chorley with two games remaining.

Press Officer Andy Walker believes its Chorley’s title to lose: “Its in Chorley’s hands now, if they win their games then they’re up, they’ve got a superior goal difference to us, courtesy of the last couple of games they’ve had, they’ve got a run they’ll think is winnable.”

Eager to avoid the seemingly cursed play offs after 3 consecutive defeats at the final hurdle, FCUM still have work to do if they’re to usurp the Magpies from top spot.

“We’ve got to win our games to keep pressure on Chorley and that’s what we’ll be trying to do.”

A run of 9 wins on the trot came to an end in a 2-2 stalemate with Chorley a week ago, followed by a surprise defeat to Buxton.

However, FC United got back to winning ways courtesy of their game in hand with a 3-0 victory over Grantham on Tuesday night.

The Rebels followed up that result with another 3 points over relegated Stamford 2-3 away from home this afternoon, as Chorley dropped points on the road at Whitby Town.

“The lads are certainly confident that they can go on another run, last week against Buxton they looked tired and jaded, Buxton worked hard, people have to understand that teams work hard, they want to win football matches.”

Nothing but a string of wins will do if they are to continue their efforts to buck the trend of play off lottery.

“Every single time we cross that white line we’ve got to be on our mettle till the end of the season.”

The clubs come a long way since its controversial inception in 2005, born out of American businessman Malcolm Glazers takeover of Manchester United.

The cynics said it’d never work, but that group of maverick United fans have stuck to their task and a decade milestone since the clubs formation is fast approaching, what better way to celebrate than in a brand spanking new stadium.

Walker said: “I think it talks about the resilience of football fans, and the determination of people at our club, we wanted to created a different way, a better way for football, and I think we’re well on the way to doing that.”

Plans have been announced for a new 5,000 capacity stadium with construction of ‘Broadhurst Park’ due for completion in September.

Walker admits to a long-term vision for FC United, a club for the fans by the fans:

 “Its not just about the next couple of years, its about what we may be able to achieve in the foreseeable future, its about making that facility speak to the values and founding principles of our football club - affordable football, being able to come and have a good time at the ground.”

A viable chance to break away from the altogether practical ground share with Bury at Gigg Lane, to a place they can truly call home is a testament to the clubs independence.

Evidence shows that the rebels will have no trouble filling the new stadium on match days, with a strong and loyal fan following of support flocking week in week out.

“We’ve established ourselves as a club that’s getting over 1,000 season ticket holders, getting crowds close on 2,000 and over 3,000 members.”

To show appreciation to the fans that consistently turn out each game, the powers that be have made the decision that if the club doesn’t gain promotion this season, gate prices will stay the same.

Whereas if promotion is secured, adult prices will increase by £1, concessions and juniors will remain as they are.

By either rate, FC United of Manchester will be the cheapest in the league they will be plying their trade in next season.

Average attendances at ‘home’ are regularly in the thousands and 4,152 spectators were present to watch the recent draw with Chorley.

A sizable number through the gate for a club of their stature, only twice this season have Bury had a higher attendance than the fixture against the Magpies.

Next up for the Red Rebels is fifth placed Ashton United, who are the visitors to Gigg Lane on Easter Monday. Kick off is at 3pm.