Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney praised Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster for his decision to retire from football during the second episode of Welcome to Wrexham season 3. Foster, 41, made the decision to retire after a game against Swindon Town in August 2023, where Wrexham tied 5-5. Foster felt that his performance was not up to his own standards and decided it was time to retire. The duo of Reynolds and McElhenney admired Foster’s decision to walk away from the game with dignity.
Wrexham had initially brought Foster out of retirement in March 2023 to help the team get promoted from the National League to the English Football League, which they achieved in April 2023. Foster then decided to return to the team for the next season in League Two. However, after a few games, he realized that his performances were not meeting his expectations and announced his retirement in August 2023. Foster stated that he wanted to retire on his own terms and put the club’s best interests at heart when making his decision.
Reynolds expressed his immense respect for Ben Foster, both as a player and a person, recognizing his contribution to the team’s success in the EFL. The actors also shared some lighthearted banter about their own projects, with McElhenney joking about the longevity of his show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and Reynolds teasing a future installment in the Wolverine series. Despite their jokes, they both acknowledged the importance of knowing when to call it quits, a lesson Foster exemplified with his retirement.
After the game against Swindon Town, Foster felt that something was not right and knew that it was time for him to retire. He confided in the team manager and coaching staff about his decision and stepped down from his position as the team’s goaltender. Despite the disappointment of not winning the game, Foster’s announcement of retirement was met with understanding and respect from his teammates and those involved with the club. Foster’s self-awareness and decision-making process were admired by Reynolds and McElhenney.
Foster’s announcement of retirement allowed Wrexham to assess their options and make alternative plans for the upcoming season in League Two. The club thanked Foster for his dedication and contributions to the team and stated that he would always hold a special place in their hearts. The ongoing documentary series, Welcome to Wrexham, follows the team’s journey and airs on FX on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day. The series provides an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of a soccer team with unique ownership by Reynolds and McElhenney.
