Colin Foster (footballer born 1952)
Encyclopedia
Colin Foster is a retired English footballer who played as a central defender for Mansfield Town
and Peterborough United
.
Foster came through the ranks at Mansfield, and made his debut on 4 September 1971 against Plymouth Argyle
, in the same game that his unrelated namesake Barry Foster
also made his debut. Due to sharing the same name and being similar in appearance, the two were often assumed to be brothers.
Throughout his years at Field Mill
, Foster formed a strong defensive partnership with Kevin Bird
. He played 43 matches when Mansfield won the Division Four title in 1974-75
, and was also almost ever-present when the Stags won Division Three in 1976-77
. During the 1976-77 campaign, Foster also scored a career-best nine goals.
In 1979, after nine years at Field Mill, Foster moved to Peterborough United for a £13,000 transfer fee. In total, he played 241 first-team games for Mansfield and scored 19 goals. His spell at Peterborough lasted two years, and he later wound down his career with spells at non-league clubs Grantham Town
, King's Lynn
and Corby Town
, where he was player-manager.
After his retirement from the game, Colin settled in the Peterborough area, where he works as a painter and decorator. His son Steve Foster
also became a professional footballer, and currently plays for Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
and Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
.
Foster came through the ranks at Mansfield, and made his debut on 4 September 1971 against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, in the same game that his unrelated namesake Barry Foster
Barry Foster (footballer)
Barry Foster is a retired English footballer who spent his entire Football League career at Mansfield Town, where he played as a left-back....
also made his debut. Due to sharing the same name and being similar in appearance, the two were often assumed to be brothers.
Throughout his years at Field Mill
Field Mill
Field Mill is a multi-use stadium in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.It is currently occupied by its main tenant, Mansfield Town.The stadium has a capacity of around 10,000 when fully open, but due to the Bishop Street Stand being closed and safety restrictions, the ground currently holds less...
, Foster formed a strong defensive partnership with Kevin Bird
Kevin Bird
Kevin Bird is a former professional footballer who played as a defender who played for Mansfield Town and Huddersfield Town....
. He played 43 matches when Mansfield won the Division Four title in 1974-75
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
, and was also almost ever-present when the Stags won Division Three in 1976-77
1976-77 in English football
The 1976–77 season was the 97th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League revamped the tie-breaking criteria for teams level of points, replacing the traditional goal average tie-breaker with one based on goal difference to try to encourage more scoring...
. During the 1976-77 campaign, Foster also scored a career-best nine goals.
In 1979, after nine years at Field Mill, Foster moved to Peterborough United for a £13,000 transfer fee. In total, he played 241 first-team games for Mansfield and scored 19 goals. His spell at Peterborough lasted two years, and he later wound down his career with spells at non-league clubs Grantham Town
Grantham Town F.C.
Grantham Town F.C. is a football club, based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South. They are nicknamed The Gingerbreads and they play their home matches at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium . They were established in August 1874...
, King's Lynn
King's Lynn F.C.
King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...
and Corby Town
Corby Town F.C.
Corby Town F.C. is an English football club based in Corby, Northamptonshire. They will be members of the Conference North for the 2011–12 season. The Steelmen play their home games at the newly built Steel Park, adjacent to their previous ground, Rockingham Triangle Sports Stadium, which is...
, where he was player-manager.
After his retirement from the game, Colin settled in the Peterborough area, where he works as a painter and decorator. His son Steve Foster
Steve Foster (footballer born 1974)
Stephen "Steve" Foster is a professional footballer, currently playing for Spennymoor Town.- Career :Foster, who is the son of former Mansfield Town defender Colin Foster, began his career at Mansfield Town, where he made a handful of appearances before being released by the club...
also became a professional footballer, and currently plays for Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...