Luke Foster

Early life

Born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, Foster grew up in the county.{{Cite news | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130419214534/http://www.chad.co.uk/sportvideo/VIDEO-Stags-centre-half-Luke.6003520.jp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 April 2013 | access-date = 13 September 2010 | access-date = 8 July 2021}}

Club career

Early career

Foster began his career as a trainee in the Sheffield Wednesday youth academy. In September 2004, he joined Conference National club Scarborough on work experience.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} Foster made his professional debut in a 1–0 defeat to Hereford United, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute,{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} and went on to make 10 appearances during a two-month spell. He returned to Sheffield Wednesday but did not feature for the first team, and was loaned to Conference North club Alfreton Town in February 2005 for the remainder of the 2004–05 season. He scored three goals in 19 appearances for Alfreton, including his first senior goal in a 3–1 defeat to Southport.

Foster was released by Sheffield Wednesday upon the expiry of his contract and joined League Two club Lincoln City on a one-year contract ahead of the 2005–06 season.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He made his debut in the club's opening fixture, a 2–1 defeat to Notts County, and went on to make 19 appearances during the season, scoring once in a 5–0 win against Grimsby Town on 25 March 2006. Despite playing a peripheral role, he signed a one-year contract extension in May 2006.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} However, Foster did not make a first-team appearance for Lincoln during the 2006–07 season. After training with York City, he joined the Conference National club on a one-month emergency loan on 5 October 2006, brought in to provide cover following a series of injuries in defence.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}}{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} Having made four appearances, the loan was extended for a second month on 3 November 2006.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} An ankle injury sustained during the final week of the loan led to his return to Lincoln on 4 December 2006.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} Foster made seven appearances during his loan spell at York.

In January 2007, Foster was informed he was not part of Lincoln's first-team plans and was free to find a new club.{{Cite news |access-date=15 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322094129/http://www.redimps.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10440~959533%2C00.html |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=dead | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He made his debut for Stalybridge in the FA Trophy, starting in a 1–1 draw against Kettering Town, during which he scored an own goal just before half-time.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He registered his first goal for the club in a 2–1 victory over former club Alfreton Town, scoring the match-winner. Foster made six appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring once.

Oxford United

After a month at Stalybridge, Foster returned to the Conference National, signing for Oxford United on 16 February 2007.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He made his debut two weeks later in a 1–0 home defeat to Kidderminster Harriers, and went on to make nine appearances during the remainder of the 2006–07 season, scoring once in a 2–0 win away to St Albans City. He signed a new one-year contract ahead of the 2007–08 season.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} Having featured just three times in the opening two months of the season, Oxford manager Jim Smith questioned Foster's professionalism and advised him to make changes to improve his first-team prospects.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 September 2007 | archive-date = 9 August 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110809130008/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/1684828.foster_gets_a_warning/ | url-status = bot: unknown | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He made 39 appearances during the season, and was named both Supporters' Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards. His performances earned him a new two-year contract, signed on 29 July 2008.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}}

Foster was sent off twice early in the 2008–09 season: first against Wrexham on 21 August 2008 for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, causing him to miss two matches, and then against Ebbsfleet United on 30 August 2008, leading to a one-month absence.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}}{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He returned to the first team and made 44 appearances, scoring once in a 2–1 victory over Lewes, as Oxford narrowly missed out on a place in the Conference Premier play-offs.{{Cite news |access-date = 25 August 2013 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130904074329/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/conference-premier/2008-2009/table |archive-date = 4 September 2013 | access-date = 25 August 2013}}

Mansfield Town

In January 2010, Foster entered negotiations with Cambridge United, although no transfer materialised.{{Cite news | access-date = 10 January 2010}} Mansfield Town also enquired about signing Foster but initially decided against making an offer, citing his "high wages as the main stumbling block".{{Cite news |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130505065918/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homesport/Stags-boss-rules-Foster/article-1701250-detail/article.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 5 May 2013 |access-date = 13 January 2010 | access-date = 25 August 2013}}{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He made his debut in Mansfield's 4–1 victory over Forest Green Rovers on 30 January 2010. Foster was sent off in a 1–0 defeat to York on 16 March 2010, resulting in a two-match suspension.{{Cite news |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130505122352/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homesport/Stags-Foster-handed-game-ban/article-1919762-detail/article.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 5 May 2013 |access-date = 26 March 2010 | access-date = 14 May 2010 | archive-date = 18 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100518231304/http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/No-budget-mystery-here-says.6292934.jp | url-status = dead |access-date=14 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225082057/http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10325~2052732%2C00.html |archive-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead

Stevenage

Foster joined newly promoted League Two club Stevenage on a two-year contract on 31 May 2010.{{Cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He made his debut in the club's first Football League match, a 2–2 draw with Macclesfield Town, playing the full 90 minutes at centre-back. Foster scored his only goal for Stevenage on 3 January 2011, opening the scoring in a 4–2 home victory against Barnet. He received his second red card of the 2010–11 season in a 2–0 defeat to Northampton Town on 30 April 2011, following a foul on Seth Nana Twumasi.{{cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} Stevenage appealed the decision, which was rejected,{{cite news | access-date = 8 May 2011 | archive-date = 16 May 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110516211433/http://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/westley_surprised_by_fa_decision_1_885303 | url-status = dead | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He made 23 appearances in his only season at the club, scoring once, as Stevenage secured promotion to League One with a 1–0 victory over Torquay United in the play-off final.{{cite news | access-date = 4 May 2019

Rotherham United

Foster signed for League Two club Rotherham United on 20 June 2011,{{cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} agreeing a one-year contract with the club, with the option of a further year. He made his debut in a 3–0 home victory against Gillingham on 27 August 2011, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute with Rotherham already holding a three-goal advantage. The following month, having not made another first-team appearance, Foster was made available for loan, with manager Andy Scott citing a lack of desire and fitness.{{cite news | access-date = 5 November 2011 | archive-date = 20 April 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120420222153/http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/scott_looks_for_players_to_leave_1_3784562 | url-status = dead | access-date = 5 November 2011}} No move materialised, and Foster subsequently made his first start in a 2–0 home victory over Aldershot Town on 5 November 2011, Rotherham's first victory in 10 matches.{{cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}} In December 2011, Scott confirmed that Foster would miss the remainder of the 2011–12 season after sustaining cruciate ligament damage in a 3–2 victory at Hereford United on 10 December 2011.{{cite news | access-date = 19 December 2011}} {{cite news | access-date = 25 August 2013}}{{cite news | access-date = 19 December 2011 | archive-date = 7 May 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120507084527/http://www.rotherham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=266095 | url-status = dead |access-date=7 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509065949/http://www.themillers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10360~2762872%2C00.html |archive-date=9 May 2012 |url-status=dead

Matlock Town

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Foster went on trial with League One club Sheffield United.{{Cite web | access-date = 28 December 2012 | archive-date = 19 February 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160219094509/https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20120718-ilkeston-report-247804.aspx?pageView=full | url-status = bot: unknown | access-date = 28 December 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160219094508/http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/match/234/ | archive-date = 19 February 2016 | url-status = dead

Preston North End

After a month without a club, Foster went on trial at League One club Preston North End in November 2012, managed by former Stevenage manager Graham Westley.{{cite news | access-date = 19 December 2012}} The trial was successful, and he signed on non-contract terms on 18 December 2012.{{cite news | access-date = 19 December 2012}} He made his debut that evening in a 3–3 draw against Bury in the Football League Trophy, with Preston progressing via a penalty shoot-out. After impressing Westley in his first four appearances,{{cite news | access-date = 6 January 2013}}{{cite news | access-date = 6 January 2013 | archive-date = 22 March 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130322080750/http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end-news/new-start-for-pne-skipper-1-5278888 | url-status = dead | access-date = 6 January 2013}} In the following match, a televised 3–2 defeat to Coventry City in the Football League Trophy, Foster scored his only goal for Preston, briefly levelling the score before two injury-time goals secured victory for Coventry.{{cite news | access-date = 30 April 2013 | archive-date = 22 March 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130322063036/http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end-news/coventry-city-3-pne-2-full-time-1-5302915 | url-status = dead | access-date = 30 April 2013}}

Return to non-League football

Foster rejoined Conference Premier club Lincoln City on 1 August 2013, signing a one-year deal with the club he had previously represented from 2005 to 2007.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130807122043/http://www.redimps.co.uk/news/article/130801-luke-foster-960528.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 August 2013 | access-date = 1 August 2013}} He made his second debut ten days later, playing the full match in central defence as Lincoln drew 0–0 away at Woking on the opening day of the 2013–14 season.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} Both of his goals that season came in away fixtures against Braintree Town,{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}}{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}}{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} and he featured regularly throughout the campaign, making 37 appearances as Lincoln finished 14th amid an inconsistent run of form.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} He left the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.

Shortly after becoming a free agent, Foster signed for fellow Conference Premier club Southport on 18 June 2014.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} He was made club captain ahead of the 2014–15 season.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018 | archive-date = 18 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122551/https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/ex-stags-skipper-luke-foster-excited-by-fresh-challenge-1-7976443 | url-status = dead | access-date = 18 January 2018}} Foster made 41 appearances in all competitions that season, scoring four goals, and was named the club's Player of the Year.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160508024804/http://www.trustinyellow.com/trustevents.php?a=page:11 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 8 May 2016 | access-date = 18 January 2018}} He was ever present during the first half of the 2015–16 season. However, due to the demands of commuting daily from his home in Barnsley, he joined local National League North club Harrogate Town on 24 February 2016, on a contract until the remainder of the season. He made four appearances, spending most of his time there as an unused substitute, and departed in April 2016.

Foster signed for Ilkeston in May 2016 as a player-coach, his first coaching role. He featured frequently during the opening months of the season, but sustained an injury during an FA Trophy defeat to Barwell in October 2016, which proved to be his final appearance for the club.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} He left Ilkeston by mutual consent and joined Northern Premier League club Coalville Town on 30 November 2016.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} Foster spent five months at Coalville before leaving in April 2017, following his appointment as Oldham Athletic's commercial manager on 28 March 2017.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}}

Foster returned to playing in August 2017, signing for National League North club North Ferriby United.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} After failing to make an appearance during the opening month of the season, he signed for Brighouse Town of the Northern Premier League Division One North in September 2017, making a single appearance.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} Later that month, he joined divisional rivals Goole,{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018 | archive-date = 18 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122639/http://www.gooleafc.com/teams/11378/player/luke-foster-1922389 | url-status = dead | access-date = 18 January 2018}} before briefly rejoining North Ferriby United in December 2017.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2018}} Initially linked with Loughborough Dynamo in February 2018,{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180220134308/http://nonleaguedaily.com/loughborough-dynamo-move-looms-for-barwells-foster/ | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 20 February 2018 | access-date = 7 May 2019}} Foster eventually signed for the Northern Premier League Division One East club on 14 July 2018, marking the final move of his playing career.{{cite news | access-date = 7 May 2019}}

International career

Foster was named on standby for the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, in November 2007 for a match against Finland C,{{Cite news | access-date = 29 July 2008 | archive-date = 25 February 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120225065449/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/1820241.coolhand_luke_gets_england_callup/ | url-status = bot: unknown | access-date = 25 August 2013}} He received a full call-up in September 2008 for a fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo,{{Cite news |archive-url = https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120502193127/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/2009/c_squad_bosnia |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2 May 2012 |access-date = 9 August 2010 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130204044347/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/2009/bosnia_arrival | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 February 2013 | access-date = 9 August 2010 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120502193007/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/2009/bosnia_report |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2012 |access-date=9 August 2010 | access-date = 6 October 2025}}

Style of play

Foster was primarily deployed as a centre-back, though he was also occasionally used as a defensive midfielder during his time at Lincoln City and Stevenage.{{cite news

Personal life

Foster has described himself as a "family man", but acknowledged making poor lifestyle choices in his younger years. He was in a six-year relationship with Rebekah Nicholson, who later married footballer Jamie Vardy. They have one son, born in January 2010.

In April 2024, he was sentenced to three years in prison for running a cannabis farm.

Career statistics

Honours

Stevenage

• League Two play-offs: 2010–11

Individual

• Oxford United Player of the Year: 2007–08
• Southport Player of the Year: 2014–15

References

References

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7. (24 February 2016). "Foster joins Harrogate Town". Southport F.C.
8. Hurle, Craig. (24 February 2016). "Breaking News: Luke Foster signs". Harrogate Town F.C.
9. (2012). "Non-League Club Directory 2013". Tony Williams Publications.
10. (7 July 2018). "Who is Rebekah Vardy? Everything you need to know about I'm a Celebrity and Loose Women star". Reach plc.
11. (24 April 2024). "Rebekah Vardy's footballer ex jailed for running a cannabis factory". Independent Digital News & Media Ltd.
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