Ben Foster reveals the EXACT moment he knew it was time to retire after ex-Man United keeper quit Wrexham

Ben Foster has revealed the precise moment he realized it was time to retire.

The former England and Manchester United goalkeeper, 40, hung up his gloves last month, just ten weeks into a one-year contract with League Two club Wrexham.

It came after Foster scored five goals against both MK Dons and Swindon Town as the Welsh club made a difficult start to their EFL return.

Foster, speaking of his Fozcast showappears to indicate Dan Kemp’s goal to put Swindon 3-1 ahead in the 5-5 draw between the sides at the Racecourse Ground on August 19.

He said: ‘Back when I was playing, in my mid-30s, I would have looked back at it and said ‘should have done better there, I know I could have done better there.’

Foster conceded 13 goals in Wrexham’s first four league games after promotion

‘These goals were coming in and I thought, ‘I couldn’t have done better there because I couldn’t move faster.’

‘There was one, in the last game I played against Swindon. The guy got it off his feet and he shot from about 70 feet and deflected it into the corner.

‘When he takes the ball out of his feet, I normally know he’s putting the ball in the corner on my right. I know, I can read it like a book.

‘I couldn’t even read it as a book. Honestly it’s crazy, I can’t explain it to you.

‘I just didn’t have that nous, it was a bit gone. I couldn’t read it. “I knew he was putting him in the corner, but I just couldn’t take the little steps to make sure I could save him.”

When asked if saves like this would have been muscle memory in the past, Foster said: “Yes, I just did it. I didn’t even have to think about doing it before, honestly I would just do it.

“I would just take the small steps to know that I had it covered so that even if he took it out of the mail and put it in the mail, I could still make it.” I know I can make it.”

Foster, who came out of retirement in March to help Wrexham win the National League and gain promotion to League Two, said he felt ‘no shame’ in finishing for the second time.

Foster appeared to be referring to this goal, scored by Dan Kemp, which put Swindon 3-1 ahead last month

Foster admitted he wasn’t quick enough to make what would once have been a routine save

‘I’m 40 years old and I can’t do what I used to do anymore. These goals come on a Saturday afternoon and I think: ‘boys, you deserve better than this’,’ he said.

‘I thought I was letting the team down here. Goals coming in are huge in games, they can take away momentum, they can give momentum, change the course of any game, just one goal coming out of nowhere.

“There were five goals (out of 13 goals conceded in four games) that I could have done better with, but that game against Swindon was the day I decided I was going to do this.”

In a statement from Wrexham announcing his second retirement, Foster said: ‘The honest truth is that my performances this season have not reached the level I demand of myself and I believe this is the right time to retire. ‘

The 40-year-old previously came out of retirement to join Wrexham and helped them gain promotion to League Two last season

In his last match, Wrexham conceded five goals in a thrilling draw against Swindon

‘Making this decision was not only about what was best for me, but also about the Club. In making this decision I have now given the Club every opportunity to assess their options before the period closes. Wrexham will always have a special place in my heart.’

Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham and star of the Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham, tweeted his appreciation for Foster’s time at the Racecourse Ground.

“He built memories that I will never let go of as long as I live,” said the Canadian actor. ‘I love this man. Thanks for everything, Ben.’