1 00:00:12,245 --> 00:00:14,748 [light playful music] 2 00:00:14,781 --> 00:00:16,116 ♪ ♪ 3 00:00:16,149 --> 00:00:18,385 COACH: That's it. Good touch. 4 00:00:18,418 --> 00:00:20,220 That's what we're looking for, yeah? 5 00:00:28,695 --> 00:00:30,064 [indistinct chatter] 6 00:00:30,097 --> 00:00:31,198 ROB: Rob, he was our number one. 7 00:00:31,231 --> 00:00:32,733 You can't lose your job to injury. 8 00:00:32,766 --> 00:00:34,301 Mark stepped up, 9 00:00:34,334 --> 00:00:36,337 and he's gotten us through this entire season-- 10 00:00:36,370 --> 00:00:37,705 through the entire season. 11 00:00:37,738 --> 00:00:39,807 Mark has only lost two games. 12 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,610 And then Rob was healthy, so Rob came back in. 13 00:00:42,643 --> 00:00:44,244 PLAYER: Good, Rob. 14 00:00:52,786 --> 00:00:56,123 ANNOUNCER: And a strong hand by Mark Howard. 15 00:00:56,156 --> 00:00:58,459 COACH: Go! 16 00:00:58,492 --> 00:00:59,493 Good. 17 00:00:59,526 --> 00:01:02,529 MARK: Lain-O is a really good shot stopper. 18 00:01:02,562 --> 00:01:04,598 Obviously, I've only seen him play five or six times 19 00:01:04,631 --> 00:01:06,233 this season, but in training, the saves 20 00:01:06,266 --> 00:01:08,535 that he does make is really good. 21 00:01:08,568 --> 00:01:10,170 PLAYER: Ooh! PLAYER 2: Good save. 22 00:01:10,203 --> 00:01:11,472 PLAYER 3: Big save, Rob. 23 00:01:11,505 --> 00:01:13,173 MARK: When Rob did get back in the team, 24 00:01:13,206 --> 00:01:15,442 I've not been one to moan or argue 25 00:01:15,475 --> 00:01:17,311 or complain about those sort of situations. 26 00:01:17,344 --> 00:01:19,813 We've all got our own, uh, capabilities 27 00:01:19,846 --> 00:01:21,448 and strengths and weaknesses. 28 00:01:21,481 --> 00:01:23,183 I'm not here to complain against it. 29 00:01:23,216 --> 00:01:24,418 I'm not here to fight against him. 30 00:01:24,451 --> 00:01:26,687 I'm here to support him and help him. 31 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,589 [dramatic music] 32 00:01:28,622 --> 00:01:30,724 ANNOUNCER: Welcome to beautiful Hayes Lane, 33 00:01:30,757 --> 00:01:33,360 where tenth-place Bromley will host the league leaders, 34 00:01:33,393 --> 00:01:35,195 Wrexham. 35 00:01:45,439 --> 00:01:46,574 [crowd chanting] 36 00:01:46,607 --> 00:01:48,709 ANNOUNCER: And it's into the arms there of Lainton. 37 00:01:48,742 --> 00:01:50,444 And I just wanted to comment, actually-- 38 00:01:50,477 --> 00:01:52,313 Rob Lainton hasn't had that much luck at Hayes Lane. 39 00:01:52,346 --> 00:01:55,149 During the COVID season, um, he suffered an injury 40 00:01:55,182 --> 00:01:56,283 in a collision with James Alabi. 41 00:01:56,316 --> 00:01:57,451 It's a ball round the corner, 42 00:01:57,484 --> 00:01:58,686 looking for the run to James Alabi. 43 00:01:58,719 --> 00:02:00,387 It's gonna get there. 44 00:02:00,420 --> 00:02:01,454 Massive collision. PERSON: No. 45 00:02:01,488 --> 00:02:04,725 ANNOUNCER: Rob Lainton is down and not moving. 46 00:02:04,758 --> 00:02:06,694 He was down for approximately half an hour, 47 00:02:06,727 --> 00:02:08,062 He was taken to hospital, 48 00:02:08,095 --> 00:02:09,229 and, thankfully, he was all right. 49 00:02:09,262 --> 00:02:10,531 And then, uh, last season, 50 00:02:10,564 --> 00:02:12,466 Wrexham returned for that nil-nil draw, 51 00:02:12,499 --> 00:02:14,568 and, uh, he went down again and got another injury 52 00:02:14,601 --> 00:02:16,437 that day and had to be treated. 53 00:02:16,470 --> 00:02:18,439 ANNOUNCER: Jordan Davies, the ball goes through to Coulson. 54 00:02:18,472 --> 00:02:20,274 Lainton with an excellent save and Lainton again! 55 00:02:20,307 --> 00:02:21,508 And the ball's gone over the bar. 56 00:02:21,542 --> 00:02:27,047 Rob Lainton puts his body on the line every single game. 57 00:02:27,882 --> 00:02:29,750 ANNOUNCER: He'll certainly want a less eventful match 58 00:02:29,783 --> 00:02:32,552 than, uh, his past couple visits, Rob Lainton. 59 00:02:39,293 --> 00:02:40,561 ANNOUNCER: Here's Lainton. 60 00:02:40,594 --> 00:02:43,230 Kendall closing it down, and Lainton has to get rid of it, 61 00:02:43,263 --> 00:02:44,564 manages to find Palmer. 62 00:02:56,209 --> 00:02:57,711 [whistle blows] 63 00:02:57,744 --> 00:02:59,513 ANNOUNCER: The halftime whistle blows, 64 00:02:59,546 --> 00:03:00,814 a scoreless first half, 65 00:03:00,847 --> 00:03:03,617 as the teams head back to the changing room. 66 00:03:06,353 --> 00:03:09,189 TRAINER: Just strap it up here. LAINTON: It feels fucking-- 67 00:03:09,222 --> 00:03:10,758 it feels funny. 68 00:03:10,791 --> 00:03:12,459 - Just relax. 69 00:03:12,492 --> 00:03:15,161 [indistinct chatter] 70 00:03:19,666 --> 00:03:21,569 [cracking] 71 00:03:21,602 --> 00:03:23,570 [tense music] 72 00:03:31,612 --> 00:03:33,047 - You all right, Rob? 73 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:34,815 - MCL. 74 00:03:34,848 --> 00:03:37,718 He's done his MCL on that last kick. 75 00:03:37,751 --> 00:03:40,020 I don't think he can continue. 76 00:03:51,098 --> 00:03:52,666 Mental. 77 00:03:52,699 --> 00:03:54,735 PHIL: Go tell Chomp he's coming on, please. 78 00:03:54,768 --> 00:03:57,504 [somber music] 79 00:03:57,537 --> 00:03:59,173 MARK: It's so hard sometimes, 80 00:03:59,206 --> 00:04:01,175 'cause you want to play, you do want to play. 81 00:04:01,208 --> 00:04:03,310 I don't wish injury upon anybody. 82 00:04:03,343 --> 00:04:05,679 I've had some really bad injuries in my past, 83 00:04:05,712 --> 00:04:08,115 so Lainton has obviously had his fair share of 'em, 84 00:04:08,148 --> 00:04:10,551 and he's been very unlucky. 85 00:04:10,584 --> 00:04:13,320 Three times in three seasons at that ground 86 00:04:13,353 --> 00:04:15,556 is just--it's horrendous. 87 00:04:15,589 --> 00:04:18,459 Uh, mentally, it must be really tough for him. 88 00:04:18,492 --> 00:04:20,094 PERSON: Fucking Bromley. [players cheering] 89 00:04:20,127 --> 00:04:21,695 PHIL: Let's get on that fucking football. 90 00:04:21,728 --> 00:04:23,230 PLAYER: Let's go, boys. 91 00:04:32,472 --> 00:04:34,275 ANNOUNCER: Back under way. 92 00:04:34,308 --> 00:04:36,777 Wrexham making a change at the break at halftime, 93 00:04:36,810 --> 00:04:38,812 and, uh, Rob Lainton coming off. 94 00:04:38,845 --> 00:04:40,180 We talked about his bad luck 95 00:04:40,213 --> 00:04:41,515 at Hayes Lane in the first half. 96 00:04:41,548 --> 00:04:43,617 Well, that bad luck has carried on. 97 00:04:43,650 --> 00:04:47,054 ANNOUNCER 2: Oh, at Bromley-- three seasons in a row, 98 00:04:47,087 --> 00:04:49,823 and Lainton has picked up an injury at Bromley. 99 00:04:49,856 --> 00:04:52,059 It's incredible. It's awful. 100 00:04:52,092 --> 00:04:54,061 ♪ ♪ 101 00:04:54,094 --> 00:04:55,629 [cheers and applause, whistle blows] 102 00:04:55,662 --> 00:04:57,197 ANNOUNCER: And that's the final whistle. 103 00:04:57,230 --> 00:05:00,601 Wrexham, victors today. [crowd chanting] 104 00:05:00,634 --> 00:05:02,436 PHIL: I really hope, for Rob, it's not too bad. 105 00:05:02,469 --> 00:05:06,440 Um, he's had some bad luck at this ground. 106 00:05:06,473 --> 00:05:09,376 Equally delighted for Mark to come on 107 00:05:09,409 --> 00:05:11,645 and--and show a real calm assurance. 108 00:05:11,678 --> 00:05:13,814 It's never easy coming off the bench in any position, 109 00:05:13,847 --> 00:05:15,316 but certainly at keeper. 110 00:05:15,349 --> 00:05:16,684 But I thought, you know, he just came on 111 00:05:16,717 --> 00:05:18,619 and give us a nice air of calmness 112 00:05:18,652 --> 00:05:20,487 and helped us get over the line. 113 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:21,722 ANNOUNCER: Wrexham close it out. 114 00:05:21,755 --> 00:05:24,391 With not counting drawing at Barnet, 115 00:05:24,424 --> 00:05:26,627 Wrexham now have got some breathing space 116 00:05:26,660 --> 00:05:28,195 at the top of the table. 117 00:05:28,228 --> 00:05:30,764 ♪ ♪ 118 00:05:30,797 --> 00:05:34,101 SINGER: ♪ Don't forget where you came from ♪ 119 00:05:34,134 --> 00:05:39,740 ♪ Don't forget why you're made of the ones who were there ♪ 120 00:05:39,773 --> 00:05:43,043 ♪ When no one else would care ♪ 121 00:05:43,076 --> 00:05:46,180 ♪ Don't be afraid to cry now ♪ 122 00:05:46,213 --> 00:05:50,184 ♪ Even when the world comes crashing in ♪ 123 00:05:50,217 --> 00:05:52,386 ♪ ♪ 124 00:05:52,419 --> 00:05:56,390 ♪ Don't forget to sing when you win ♪ 125 00:05:56,423 --> 00:05:59,493 [melancholic guitar music] 126 00:05:59,526 --> 00:06:01,462 ♪ ♪ 127 00:06:01,495 --> 00:06:05,666 ♪ Don't forget to sing when you win ♪ 128 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:10,304 ♪ ♪ 129 00:06:10,337 --> 00:06:12,606 [light orchestral music] 130 00:06:12,639 --> 00:06:14,308 REPORTER: Word is that Rob Lainton 131 00:06:14,341 --> 00:06:15,709 will be out for the rest of the season. 132 00:06:15,742 --> 00:06:18,045 Are you comfortable with Howard in goal again? 133 00:06:18,078 --> 00:06:19,613 PERSON: You know, he's done enough 134 00:06:19,646 --> 00:06:22,449 over the course of, you know, the season as a whole. 135 00:06:22,482 --> 00:06:25,052 PERSON 2: He's kept, what, 13 clean sheets this year. 136 00:06:25,085 --> 00:06:27,321 He stopped us from getting a pumpkin at Notts County 137 00:06:27,354 --> 00:06:30,190 at the end of the season-- four or five decent saves. 138 00:06:30,223 --> 00:06:31,692 PERSON: What a class act Mark Howard is. 139 00:06:31,725 --> 00:06:33,761 - He has been fantastic for us. - Awesome. 140 00:06:33,794 --> 00:06:35,462 SHAUN: He's a fantastic goalkeeper. 141 00:06:35,495 --> 00:06:37,431 We got a fantastic-- PERSON: Shot stop is brilliant. 142 00:06:37,464 --> 00:06:39,733 - Who--who's had--who's had a very, very good career. 143 00:06:39,766 --> 00:06:42,436 - I think Mark Howard's... 144 00:06:42,469 --> 00:06:45,072 37, 38, so he's obviously getting no younger, 145 00:06:45,105 --> 00:06:46,774 but I think he's been a really good signing 146 00:06:46,807 --> 00:06:49,209 and a really experienced head. 147 00:06:52,346 --> 00:06:54,615 CHILD: Mom, I'm just gonna put the telly on. 148 00:06:54,648 --> 00:06:56,550 MARK: That's fine. LUCIE: That's okay. 149 00:06:57,484 --> 00:06:58,586 MARK: After that, though, 150 00:06:58,619 --> 00:07:00,054 we can go out in the garden, right? 151 00:07:00,087 --> 00:07:01,589 CHILD: Ugh. CHILD 2: Yep. 152 00:07:01,622 --> 00:07:04,058 MARK: Should've got a plate for your cookies. 153 00:07:04,091 --> 00:07:05,759 Bonkers. - Well, we've got table. 154 00:07:05,792 --> 00:07:08,629 Who cares about plates? [laughter] 155 00:07:08,662 --> 00:07:10,264 - Yeah, you just know that Mommy and Daddy'll 156 00:07:10,297 --> 00:07:11,732 clean up after ya, didn't ya? 157 00:07:11,765 --> 00:07:14,268 [child laughs] CHILD: Yeah. 158 00:07:14,301 --> 00:07:15,569 CHILD 2: [chuckles] 159 00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:17,371 [dog barking] 160 00:07:17,404 --> 00:07:20,507 MARK: Uh, Mark Howard, goalkeeper. 161 00:07:20,540 --> 00:07:22,176 I turned pro at 18. 162 00:07:22,209 --> 00:07:26,680 I'm 36, nearly 37 now, so close to 18, 19 years. 163 00:07:26,713 --> 00:07:29,350 [gentle guitar music] 164 00:07:29,383 --> 00:07:31,785 LUCIE: It's hard--because of his age, you think 165 00:07:31,818 --> 00:07:35,789 you're kind of coming to the end of your career. 166 00:07:35,822 --> 00:07:37,258 It was weird. 167 00:07:37,291 --> 00:07:39,693 It felt like Wrexham was just a really good fit. 168 00:07:39,726 --> 00:07:42,463 ♪ ♪ 169 00:07:42,496 --> 00:07:45,299 MARK: Me and Lucie, uh, traveled around a lot, 170 00:07:45,332 --> 00:07:46,467 like, with different football clubs and stuff, 171 00:07:46,500 --> 00:07:49,203 so she's been unbelievably supportive 172 00:07:49,236 --> 00:07:50,437 of my whole career, and we've been blessed 173 00:07:50,471 --> 00:07:54,575 with two beautiful children, and I feel very fortunate. 174 00:07:54,608 --> 00:07:56,277 Good save. 175 00:07:56,310 --> 00:08:00,581 - Mark, he's brilliant. He just, uh... 176 00:08:00,614 --> 00:08:02,283 switches off from work 177 00:08:02,316 --> 00:08:05,686 to family man when he gets home. 178 00:08:05,719 --> 00:08:07,154 MARK: Nice, Bobs. 179 00:08:07,187 --> 00:08:08,322 There's a lot that surrounds going on 180 00:08:08,355 --> 00:08:10,224 at football and the expectancy level, 181 00:08:10,257 --> 00:08:12,326 like I said, but just coming home 182 00:08:12,359 --> 00:08:16,163 and just being a normal person, being Dad, is, like, 183 00:08:16,196 --> 00:08:17,498 the thing that makes me happiest. 184 00:08:17,531 --> 00:08:19,333 No days off. Extra training, Bobby. 185 00:08:19,366 --> 00:08:21,135 CHILD: [laughs] MARK: Yes, 1-nil! 186 00:08:21,168 --> 00:08:23,437 LUCIE: [laughs] Mark, careful of his face. 187 00:08:23,470 --> 00:08:24,471 [Mark laughs] 188 00:08:24,504 --> 00:08:26,674 - [dramatically] What a save from Mark Howard. 189 00:08:26,707 --> 00:08:28,642 [Lucie and Mark laugh] Lucie: I knew that was coming. 190 00:08:28,675 --> 00:08:30,210 MARK: Get the catchphrase. - I knew it was coming. 191 00:08:30,243 --> 00:08:31,645 Mark, have you been training her? 192 00:08:31,678 --> 00:08:34,481 MARK: Yeah. [Lucie laughs] 193 00:08:36,550 --> 00:08:38,485 Welcome back to the Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast 194 00:08:38,518 --> 00:08:39,553 with me, Mark Howard. 195 00:08:39,586 --> 00:08:40,253 Uh, I can't believe 196 00:08:40,287 --> 00:08:41,455 I'm actually saying this today. 197 00:08:41,488 --> 00:08:43,657 Uh, I've got one of my idols in, 198 00:08:43,690 --> 00:08:46,060 uh, one of the reasons that I play in goal 199 00:08:46,093 --> 00:08:48,395 and still carrying on to this day. 200 00:08:48,428 --> 00:08:51,198 Uh, he's played over 1,000 professional games. 201 00:08:51,231 --> 00:08:53,467 Actually sounds crazy to say that. 202 00:08:53,500 --> 00:08:55,569 Please welcome big David Seaman. 203 00:08:55,602 --> 00:08:56,770 - Pleasure, mate. 204 00:08:56,803 --> 00:08:58,239 - The podcast only started about 205 00:08:58,272 --> 00:08:59,573 when I started my uni degree. 206 00:08:59,606 --> 00:09:02,443 I'm studying, uh, journalism and media. 207 00:09:02,476 --> 00:09:04,311 Uh, I'm at that stage in my career 208 00:09:04,344 --> 00:09:06,413 where I am looking to what happens next 209 00:09:06,446 --> 00:09:08,048 to make sure I've got everything in place 210 00:09:08,081 --> 00:09:09,183 for life after football. 211 00:09:09,216 --> 00:09:11,285 I've looked up to you for years. 212 00:09:11,318 --> 00:09:13,520 - [laughs] I know, and it's weird, innit? 213 00:09:13,553 --> 00:09:15,489 You know, like, as--you know, 'cause you were, like-- 214 00:09:15,522 --> 00:09:16,757 What were you, about 14? 215 00:09:16,790 --> 00:09:18,125 MARK: 14, 15. BOTH: Yeah. 216 00:09:18,158 --> 00:09:19,260 - I was like, "Oh, my God. 217 00:09:19,293 --> 00:09:20,594 I can't wait to get to that level," 218 00:09:20,627 --> 00:09:21,729 and I still never have. 219 00:09:21,762 --> 00:09:23,264 [both laugh] 220 00:09:23,297 --> 00:09:24,632 ANNOUNCER: Aerial power in there. 221 00:09:24,665 --> 00:09:27,735 Paul Blake, but can they find a cutting edge? 222 00:09:27,768 --> 00:09:30,771 Sarver! [speaks indistinctly] Off the line! 223 00:09:30,804 --> 00:09:35,175 Somehow kept out by Seaman. That is a fantastic save. 224 00:09:35,208 --> 00:09:36,343 MARK: But you've brought in that glove... 225 00:09:36,376 --> 00:09:37,578 - I know. Yeah. MARK: That made that save. 226 00:09:37,611 --> 00:09:39,313 MARK: That's the best-ever save I've ever seen. 227 00:09:39,346 --> 00:09:41,548 For the ball to change directions so many times-- 228 00:09:41,581 --> 00:09:43,384 DAVID: Yeah, it was-- it was a different save. 229 00:09:43,417 --> 00:09:44,585 It weren't, like, a hard shot 230 00:09:44,618 --> 00:09:46,320 and then it did a little deflection. 231 00:09:46,353 --> 00:09:47,621 MARK: These belong in a museum, mate. 232 00:09:47,654 --> 00:09:49,323 [David chuckles] They'd be worth a lot of money, 233 00:09:49,356 --> 00:09:50,658 these, by the way. DAVID: Yeah, true. 234 00:09:50,691 --> 00:09:53,460 MARK: Dave Seaman had a huge influence on me, 235 00:09:53,493 --> 00:09:55,329 'cause coming through at Arsenal, 236 00:09:55,362 --> 00:09:58,332 he was always the number one until I went full-time, 237 00:09:58,365 --> 00:10:00,434 but I was lucky enough to train with him a few times 238 00:10:00,467 --> 00:10:02,603 and see what he was all about, and, yeah, 239 00:10:02,636 --> 00:10:05,306 I think he's played over 75 times for England. 240 00:10:05,339 --> 00:10:07,608 He was at the pinnacle of his game 241 00:10:07,641 --> 00:10:08,776 for a long, long time. 242 00:10:08,809 --> 00:10:10,377 How big are they? 243 00:10:10,410 --> 00:10:11,779 - Yeah, but we used to tuck 'em in, though, didn't we? 244 00:10:11,812 --> 00:10:13,213 - Yeah. 245 00:10:13,246 --> 00:10:14,348 Big baggy sleeves. - Yeah. 246 00:10:14,381 --> 00:10:15,716 Do you have yours right now? 247 00:10:15,749 --> 00:10:18,185 - No, I, like, literally pull a cuff up, and that's it. 248 00:10:18,218 --> 00:10:19,420 - Yeah, but do you tuck it in your shirt? 249 00:10:19,453 --> 00:10:21,255 - Oh, it's untucked, yeah. - Untucked? Yeah. 250 00:10:21,288 --> 00:10:22,623 - Hide me belly. - Oh. 251 00:10:22,656 --> 00:10:24,725 [both laugh] 252 00:10:24,758 --> 00:10:28,429 - I think that, mentally, I'm still 100% there. 253 00:10:28,462 --> 00:10:30,631 I want to get to 40. I've got that in my head-- 254 00:10:30,664 --> 00:10:33,334 that I know that I've got more to offer on the field. 255 00:10:33,367 --> 00:10:34,702 I love what I do. 256 00:10:34,735 --> 00:10:37,037 I look forward to being re-given that opportunity 257 00:10:37,070 --> 00:10:40,307 to keep--keep my place, and I just want us to do well. 258 00:10:40,340 --> 00:10:43,110 Um... 259 00:10:43,143 --> 00:10:45,079 and--and I want us to get promoted. 260 00:10:45,112 --> 00:10:47,181 I want to be part of that journey. 261 00:10:47,214 --> 00:10:49,550 [serious music] 262 00:10:49,583 --> 00:10:52,152 HUMPHREY: So, obviously, at the end of last season, 263 00:10:52,185 --> 00:10:53,721 we suffered an injury to Rob Lainton, 264 00:10:53,754 --> 00:10:56,724 which left us without kind of adequate goalkeeping cover. 265 00:10:56,757 --> 00:11:00,461 Um, and, you know, I think some of the challenges we endured 266 00:11:00,494 --> 00:11:02,796 in that final game of the season could be linked 267 00:11:02,829 --> 00:11:05,199 to injuries, both to goalkeepers 268 00:11:05,232 --> 00:11:07,301 and central defenders, so we're very sensitive 269 00:11:07,334 --> 00:11:10,304 to ensuring we had good-quality injury cover this year. 270 00:11:10,337 --> 00:11:12,273 So, when Rob went down again, 271 00:11:12,306 --> 00:11:14,174 much as Mark had done a brilliant job, 272 00:11:14,207 --> 00:11:16,110 we wanted to ensure that we had someone in there 273 00:11:16,143 --> 00:11:17,111 to provide competition to him. 274 00:11:17,144 --> 00:11:20,314 - The breaking news is that Ben Foster has come 275 00:11:20,347 --> 00:11:22,783 out of retirement just before his 40th birthday 276 00:11:22,816 --> 00:11:24,051 and is gonna be playing 277 00:11:24,084 --> 00:11:25,586 for National League leaders, Wrexham. 278 00:11:25,619 --> 00:11:27,454 So they've confirmed they're gonna be signing him 279 00:11:27,487 --> 00:11:29,189 until the end of the season. 280 00:11:29,222 --> 00:11:31,492 Now, he returns here, having, uh, spent time there on loan 281 00:11:31,525 --> 00:11:34,762 from his parent club, Stoke, uh, 18 years ago. 282 00:11:34,795 --> 00:11:36,664 So there you have it-- Ben Foster coming out 283 00:11:36,697 --> 00:11:38,766 of retirement and going to be playing, 284 00:11:38,799 --> 00:11:40,334 uh, for Wrexham. 285 00:11:40,367 --> 00:11:42,403 - Ben Foster is an unusual character 286 00:11:42,436 --> 00:11:44,271 to see turning out for a National League football club. 287 00:11:44,304 --> 00:11:46,307 ANNOUNCER: Brilliant save by Foster! 288 00:11:46,340 --> 00:11:48,075 HUMPHREY: He's got 500 career appearances, 289 00:11:48,108 --> 00:11:49,343 400 of them in the Premier League. 290 00:11:49,376 --> 00:11:51,111 He played for England. 291 00:11:51,144 --> 00:11:52,046 He's played for Manchester United. 292 00:11:52,079 --> 00:11:53,314 He's played for Watford. 293 00:11:53,347 --> 00:11:55,616 He has played almost his entire career 294 00:11:55,649 --> 00:11:57,251 at the absolute top of the game. 295 00:11:57,284 --> 00:11:59,219 AIDAN: American friends call me, 296 00:11:59,252 --> 00:12:01,188 and they're like, "Oh, uh, who's Ben Foster? 297 00:12:01,221 --> 00:12:02,456 Uh, we don't know much about soccer." 298 00:12:02,489 --> 00:12:04,224 I said, "Well, it's very simple. 299 00:12:04,257 --> 00:12:06,594 It's like signing Tom Brady." 300 00:12:06,627 --> 00:12:07,795 [tense music] 301 00:12:07,828 --> 00:12:11,131 - Every once in a while, uh, over the course of a season 302 00:12:11,164 --> 00:12:13,067 or a career, there are those people out there 303 00:12:13,100 --> 00:12:15,236 that get that extra little bit of magic-- 304 00:12:15,269 --> 00:12:16,437 the Kobe Bryants of the world, 305 00:12:16,470 --> 00:12:18,505 the Michael Jordans of the world, 306 00:12:18,538 --> 00:12:20,507 um, the Tom Bradys of the world. 307 00:12:20,540 --> 00:12:24,311 RYAN: Ben Foster, he is that player. 308 00:12:24,344 --> 00:12:27,381 - Ben Foster, Premiership a goalkeeper his entire life, 309 00:12:27,414 --> 00:12:30,050 you know, just--you know, he's brilliant. 310 00:12:30,083 --> 00:12:31,752 - Howard's done a good job for us. 311 00:12:31,785 --> 00:12:33,654 He's not perfect, but who is? 312 00:12:33,687 --> 00:12:35,756 PERSON: Well, he--he knows that bringing Ben Foster in 313 00:12:35,789 --> 00:12:38,192 means he probably doesn't play another game this season. 314 00:12:38,225 --> 00:12:40,427 Goalkeeper's the hardest position on the field. 315 00:12:40,460 --> 00:12:42,329 You can--you can make ten saves. 316 00:12:42,362 --> 00:12:43,664 You make one mistake, you're the villain. 317 00:12:43,697 --> 00:12:44,698 PERSON: Yeah. 318 00:12:44,731 --> 00:12:46,066 RYAN: The thing, I think, 319 00:12:46,099 --> 00:12:48,402 broke our hearts is that Mark Howard 320 00:12:48,435 --> 00:12:51,305 has stepped up for this team over and over and over again 321 00:12:51,338 --> 00:12:53,807 all season, with clean sheets galore 322 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:55,509 and putting his heart, 323 00:12:55,542 --> 00:12:57,311 his body, his spirt on the line. 324 00:12:57,344 --> 00:12:59,246 ROB: Mark has only lost two games, 325 00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:02,182 but we bring in another keeper, 326 00:13:02,215 --> 00:13:03,817 who, by all measure and all regard-- 327 00:13:03,850 --> 00:13:05,319 and Mark would admit this as well-- 328 00:13:05,352 --> 00:13:06,353 is the superior keeper. 329 00:13:06,386 --> 00:13:09,189 And that's just the reality of--of the sport. 330 00:13:09,222 --> 00:13:10,824 - I felt for Mark. 331 00:13:10,857 --> 00:13:12,126 PHIL: It's been hard. 332 00:13:12,159 --> 00:13:13,627 The team is right at the top 333 00:13:13,660 --> 00:13:15,696 of the league and has done well for us. 334 00:13:15,729 --> 00:13:17,131 Um, when you get a chance 335 00:13:17,164 --> 00:13:20,301 to sign a keeper of Ben Foster's quality, 336 00:13:20,334 --> 00:13:22,169 um, you know, you've got to take that, 337 00:13:22,202 --> 00:13:24,471 and, uh, yeah, it's always tough on somebody else. 338 00:13:24,504 --> 00:13:26,273 - That's what's best for the team. 339 00:13:26,306 --> 00:13:28,342 I think Mark knows that. We know that. 340 00:13:28,375 --> 00:13:29,443 Obviously, Phil knows that, 341 00:13:29,476 --> 00:13:30,778 'cause he's making that decision. 342 00:13:30,811 --> 00:13:32,646 [somber music] 343 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,515 MARK: The manager phoned me on the Wednesday night 344 00:13:34,548 --> 00:13:36,684 before Ben signed, and I was just about to walk 345 00:13:36,717 --> 00:13:38,319 into my daughter's school play, 346 00:13:38,352 --> 00:13:40,220 so that's-- manager sent me a text saying, 347 00:13:40,253 --> 00:13:41,722 "Can you call me quickly?" 348 00:13:41,755 --> 00:13:43,691 To be fair, I understood his decision. 349 00:13:43,724 --> 00:13:47,194 At first, you think, "Oh, no, this don't look great for me, 350 00:13:47,227 --> 00:13:49,196 but it looks good for the club." 351 00:13:49,229 --> 00:13:50,631 I said, "If it makes us better, 352 00:13:50,664 --> 00:13:51,765 we're all in it together." 353 00:13:51,798 --> 00:13:54,168 And, uh, I went-- 354 00:13:54,201 --> 00:13:55,536 and, obviously, I had to hang up and go 355 00:13:55,569 --> 00:13:57,171 and watch me daughter's school play. 356 00:13:57,204 --> 00:14:04,344 ♪ ♪ 357 00:14:08,849 --> 00:14:12,753 [indistinct chatter] 358 00:14:12,786 --> 00:14:14,755 - Yeah, I think that's where I really--I used to train-- 359 00:14:14,788 --> 00:14:19,260 RYAN: Ben Foster, retired Premier League player, 360 00:14:19,293 --> 00:14:21,295 he said, "I jump in. Let's go. 361 00:14:21,328 --> 00:14:23,330 I'll--I'll get you guys across the line." 362 00:14:23,363 --> 00:14:24,798 - Morning, all. PERSON: Good morning. 363 00:14:24,831 --> 00:14:26,834 You all right? You all right? Morning, morning, morning. 364 00:14:26,867 --> 00:14:28,702 [upbeat music] 365 00:14:28,735 --> 00:14:30,237 BEN: I really enjoyed retirement. 366 00:14:30,270 --> 00:14:31,739 I started playing an awful lot of golf. 367 00:14:31,772 --> 00:14:33,707 Really, really enjoying 368 00:14:33,740 --> 00:14:35,442 doing all the things that I've never been able to do 369 00:14:35,475 --> 00:14:37,077 for the last 20 years of my life. 370 00:14:37,110 --> 00:14:38,345 And then Wrexham came knocking, 371 00:14:38,378 --> 00:14:41,215 and, um, it-- [laughs] 372 00:14:41,248 --> 00:14:42,449 STEVE: Steve Parkin. Nice to meet you. 373 00:14:42,482 --> 00:14:43,617 How are you? Good seeing you. Yeah, I'm good. 374 00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:45,619 BEN: Okay. - Yeah, good. Looking good. 375 00:14:45,652 --> 00:14:47,588 BEN: They were the team that basically gave me 376 00:14:47,621 --> 00:14:51,325 my opportunity to-- to play first-team football, 377 00:14:51,358 --> 00:14:53,761 and that's basically where my career just lifted off 378 00:14:53,794 --> 00:14:57,231 from there, so, initially, I owe a lot to--to Wrexham 379 00:14:57,264 --> 00:14:58,432 for what they've given me. 380 00:14:58,465 --> 00:14:59,733 PERSON: Come on, I'll take you through. 381 00:14:59,766 --> 00:15:03,037 - To bring Fozzy in was a case of having 382 00:15:03,070 --> 00:15:04,438 an insurance policy. 383 00:15:04,471 --> 00:15:06,240 I mean, you're bringing in a top goalkeeper as well. 384 00:15:06,273 --> 00:15:08,075 I know he hadn't played for a period of time, 385 00:15:08,108 --> 00:15:10,444 but he's got a pedigree. 386 00:15:10,477 --> 00:15:12,680 - I'll be honest, I was thinking it'd have to be 387 00:15:12,713 --> 00:15:15,716 something pretty-- pretty spectacular or unique... 388 00:15:15,749 --> 00:15:17,585 - Yeah. - To get you out of retirement, 389 00:15:17,618 --> 00:15:19,053 because you've had-- 390 00:15:19,086 --> 00:15:20,454 We spoke about Newcastle. - Yeah. 391 00:15:20,487 --> 00:15:22,389 - And that was an incredible offer. 392 00:15:22,422 --> 00:15:23,724 - Yeah, obviously, you've got to expect 393 00:15:23,757 --> 00:15:25,593 that, being non-league, 394 00:15:25,626 --> 00:15:28,429 it's not going to be anywhere near 395 00:15:28,462 --> 00:15:29,797 kind of, like, Premier League money 396 00:15:29,830 --> 00:15:32,199 or anything like that, and to be perfectly honest, 397 00:15:32,232 --> 00:15:34,435 yeah, I don't really need much anyway. 398 00:15:34,468 --> 00:15:36,537 So the negotiations, quite honestly, 399 00:15:36,570 --> 00:15:38,239 took about five minutes, didn't they? 400 00:15:38,272 --> 00:15:40,674 It was--it was the easiest conversation 401 00:15:40,707 --> 00:15:42,609 in the world. 402 00:15:44,244 --> 00:15:46,447 RYAN: The Internet went nuts with, 403 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,782 you know, "Ryan and Rob splash out millions of dollars 404 00:15:48,815 --> 00:15:50,451 to bring in Premier League goalie 405 00:15:50,484 --> 00:15:52,186 for the end of the season," 406 00:15:52,219 --> 00:15:54,455 and what I will always love and I will always be indebted 407 00:15:54,488 --> 00:15:57,324 to Ben Foster for is the fact that he immediately went 408 00:15:57,357 --> 00:15:59,593 on his own podcast 409 00:15:59,626 --> 00:16:02,263 and said, "The negotiations for this deal lasted five minutes. 410 00:16:02,296 --> 00:16:03,697 I'm being paid peanuts." 411 00:16:03,730 --> 00:16:06,300 - It's literally peanuts. I don't want much. I don't. 412 00:16:06,333 --> 00:16:09,136 - "I'm coming back to just get this club 413 00:16:09,169 --> 00:16:10,704 into the next league-- that's it." 414 00:16:10,737 --> 00:16:12,439 - I don't need any glitz or glamour. 415 00:16:12,472 --> 00:16:15,276 I don't need all the nice shiny, sparkly bits. 416 00:16:15,309 --> 00:16:17,311 I said, "The part of it for me is to try 417 00:16:17,344 --> 00:16:20,180 "and help the team, get them over the line, 418 00:16:20,213 --> 00:16:21,715 get promoted, and that's what it is." 419 00:16:21,748 --> 00:16:24,618 It's seeing Wrexham back in the football league. 420 00:16:24,651 --> 00:16:26,487 Stick me in a corner with the goalies or something. 421 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:28,488 We'll have a goalie corner. It'll be lovely. 422 00:16:29,756 --> 00:16:33,160 [laughter] - Don't say--don't say that. 423 00:16:33,193 --> 00:16:35,129 [laughter] 424 00:16:35,162 --> 00:16:37,364 And he was the first one I saw when we got here as well. 425 00:16:37,397 --> 00:16:39,533 He was getting out of the car. I was thinking, "Oh, no. 426 00:16:39,566 --> 00:16:42,369 Don't like this. Don't like it." 427 00:16:42,402 --> 00:16:45,406 If anybody deserved to be given another chance 428 00:16:45,439 --> 00:16:47,141 to just finish out the season 429 00:16:47,174 --> 00:16:48,275 and help Wrexham get over the line, 430 00:16:48,308 --> 00:16:49,443 it would've been Chomp. 431 00:16:49,476 --> 00:16:50,811 Gutted for him at that moment in time, 432 00:16:50,844 --> 00:16:52,713 because like I say, he had such a big part 433 00:16:52,746 --> 00:16:53,547 to play in this season. 434 00:16:53,580 --> 00:16:56,183 Um, he had done fantastically well. 435 00:16:56,216 --> 00:16:58,052 I think goalkeepers are much better 436 00:16:58,085 --> 00:17:00,287 at dealing with this situation 437 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:01,722 than what outfield players are. 438 00:17:01,755 --> 00:17:04,091 I think outfield players tend to-- 439 00:17:04,124 --> 00:17:06,694 I think egos get in the way a little bit, 440 00:17:06,727 --> 00:17:10,064 whereas goalies, we understand that there's only one player 441 00:17:10,097 --> 00:17:12,332 that can play in that position, only one goalie can be picked. 442 00:17:17,771 --> 00:17:20,241 BEN: I explained to him how, um-- 443 00:17:20,274 --> 00:17:22,176 how I--how I came about signing, 444 00:17:22,209 --> 00:17:23,677 basically how it all happened. 445 00:17:23,710 --> 00:17:25,579 I said, "Listen, I'll be honest with you, Chomp. 446 00:17:25,612 --> 00:17:27,581 "I'm--I've come here to play. You know? That's what it is. 447 00:17:27,614 --> 00:17:29,316 "I've--I've told the manager that I'm playing, 448 00:17:29,349 --> 00:17:31,118 and I'm not coming here to be a number two." 449 00:17:31,151 --> 00:17:34,088 And he said--he's, again-- he's super honest, Chomp. 450 00:17:34,121 --> 00:17:35,589 And he's like, "Yeah, I understand that, mate. 451 00:17:35,622 --> 00:17:37,424 "You know, you were playing in the Premier League last year. 452 00:17:37,457 --> 00:17:39,159 "You're not gonna want to come here and be a number two." 453 00:17:39,192 --> 00:17:40,494 And I was, like, "Listen, I'm not-- 454 00:17:40,527 --> 00:17:42,196 "you know, I'm not being a big head or an eg-- 455 00:17:42,229 --> 00:17:44,064 "I-I feel like I can do this. 456 00:17:44,097 --> 00:17:45,199 "You know, I want to do this. 457 00:17:45,232 --> 00:17:46,467 "I want to do it properly as well. 458 00:17:46,500 --> 00:17:48,302 "I'm not coming here just to, you know, gain 459 00:17:48,335 --> 00:17:49,570 "a few Instagram followers or whatever. 460 00:17:49,603 --> 00:17:51,605 I-I-I want to do it properly." 461 00:17:51,638 --> 00:17:53,407 Um, and I think he could see that, to be fair. 462 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:55,542 PERSON: That's a fucking test at the start. 463 00:17:55,575 --> 00:17:57,211 MARK: Ben's someone that I've followed 464 00:17:57,244 --> 00:17:58,579 a lot of my career, uh, 465 00:17:58,612 --> 00:17:59,713 because he's a few years older than me, 466 00:17:59,747 --> 00:18:02,283 someone that I've looked up to and what he's gone on 467 00:18:02,316 --> 00:18:03,684 to achieve, from playing for England 468 00:18:03,717 --> 00:18:06,320 and playing for Man United in the Champions League, 469 00:18:06,353 --> 00:18:08,489 and he's had numerous promotions. 470 00:18:08,522 --> 00:18:12,593 Ben's standards that he's put in that 18-year period 471 00:18:12,626 --> 00:18:13,727 are incredible, 472 00:18:13,761 --> 00:18:17,364 along with what he's done in the game off the field. 473 00:18:17,397 --> 00:18:20,301 - Hello, everybody. I'm Ben Foster, the Cycling GK. 474 00:18:20,334 --> 00:18:22,169 ♪ It's Friday, yeah ♪ 475 00:18:22,202 --> 00:18:24,038 ♪ Saturday, Sunday ♪ [laughs] Right. 476 00:18:24,071 --> 00:18:25,806 HUMPHREY: He's got a YouTube channel. 477 00:18:25,839 --> 00:18:28,075 I mean, lots of people have got YouTube channels around here, 478 00:18:28,108 --> 00:18:29,309 but his is good. 479 00:18:31,445 --> 00:18:33,314 - Yeah. - This hotel is bloody lovely. 480 00:18:33,347 --> 00:18:34,548 Look at this. 481 00:18:34,581 --> 00:18:35,582 People want to see that, don't they? 482 00:18:35,615 --> 00:18:37,685 They want to see a bit more behind the scenes. 483 00:18:37,718 --> 00:18:39,320 HAYDEN: You know what I mean? - Yeah, I know. Exactly. 484 00:18:39,353 --> 00:18:41,221 How cool is that? 485 00:18:41,254 --> 00:18:42,590 [people screaming] 486 00:18:42,623 --> 00:18:44,258 MARK: I think that he's the first person 487 00:18:44,291 --> 00:18:47,461 that ever make it popular to show interest in YouTube 488 00:18:47,494 --> 00:18:50,731 and podcasts and the GoPro and everything like that. 489 00:18:50,764 --> 00:18:52,232 He was the first person that did it. 490 00:18:52,265 --> 00:18:54,535 - Success! [exclaims] 491 00:18:54,568 --> 00:18:56,270 [grunts] 492 00:18:56,303 --> 00:18:58,205 PERSON: Right there! 493 00:19:00,073 --> 00:19:03,477 BEN: Just about to do the Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast. 494 00:19:03,510 --> 00:19:05,713 Super Mark Howard wasted no time 495 00:19:05,746 --> 00:19:08,515 in getting me, tapping me right up for the podcast. 496 00:19:08,548 --> 00:19:10,551 - Real quick. [both laugh] 497 00:19:10,584 --> 00:19:11,418 Hello, everyone. 498 00:19:11,452 --> 00:19:13,287 Today we've got an unbelievable guest, 499 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:14,688 my current teammate, 500 00:19:14,721 --> 00:19:16,523 just nicked my place-- thanks a lot for that, mate. 501 00:19:16,556 --> 00:19:18,325 I'm gonna get straight to that. - [laughs] 502 00:19:18,358 --> 00:19:19,727 - Uh, please welcome Ben Foster. 503 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:21,695 - [laughs] Aw, mate, don't. - [laughs] 504 00:19:21,728 --> 00:19:23,397 - I feel bad now. 505 00:19:23,430 --> 00:19:25,065 - I had to break the ice with that. 506 00:19:25,098 --> 00:19:27,034 I had to-- - It was good. Uh, no. 507 00:19:27,067 --> 00:19:28,569 Thanks for having me, mate. I'm looking forward to this. 508 00:19:28,602 --> 00:19:31,305 - At first, everyone thought, "Oh, Mark'll be so pissed." 509 00:19:31,338 --> 00:19:32,640 BEN: Yeah, yeah, yeah. - "Like, proper pissed." 510 00:19:32,673 --> 00:19:34,608 And then, obviously, after, like, 511 00:19:34,641 --> 00:19:36,477 you coming in, I was like, "If it get us through-- 512 00:19:36,510 --> 00:19:38,178 "like, through that door, mate, and we get promoted, 513 00:19:38,211 --> 00:19:39,713 let's just enjoy that moment." BEN: Mate, that is so proper, 514 00:19:39,746 --> 00:19:41,348 that is, honestly. That is so proper. 515 00:19:41,381 --> 00:19:43,550 - That is what goalkeeping is about, though, innit? 516 00:19:43,583 --> 00:19:45,452 Like, obviously, you've been in teams before, 517 00:19:45,485 --> 00:19:47,154 been out of teams, and that's what we are like. 518 00:19:47,187 --> 00:19:48,689 - Exactly, do you know what I mean? 519 00:19:48,722 --> 00:19:50,391 MARK: That's not what my missus said, by the way, 520 00:19:50,424 --> 00:19:51,659 when I told her. [both laugh] 521 00:19:51,692 --> 00:19:53,427 She wouldn't want me saying that. 522 00:19:53,460 --> 00:19:55,329 She went, "What?" No, I'm joking. 523 00:19:55,362 --> 00:19:56,563 [both laugh] - It's good, it's good. 524 00:19:56,596 --> 00:19:58,565 - How has the first few days at Wrexham been? 525 00:19:58,598 --> 00:20:00,200 - Really good, mate, buzzed off it, 526 00:20:00,233 --> 00:20:01,302 absolutely buzzed off it. 527 00:20:01,335 --> 00:20:02,469 You saw me in training on Thursday. 528 00:20:02,502 --> 00:20:04,171 Don't lie, right? Don't lie. 529 00:20:04,204 --> 00:20:05,573 Give your honest assessment 530 00:20:05,606 --> 00:20:07,741 of what I looked like training on Thursday. 531 00:20:07,774 --> 00:20:09,343 - Uh, rusty. 532 00:20:09,376 --> 00:20:10,477 - Did I look like a goalie that had been retired 533 00:20:10,510 --> 00:20:12,046 for ten months? [laughs] 534 00:20:12,079 --> 00:20:13,547 - The first few volleys... 535 00:20:13,580 --> 00:20:15,182 - I thought you was gonna say "ten years," though, yeah. 536 00:20:15,215 --> 00:20:17,084 [both laugh] - The first few volleys, 537 00:20:17,117 --> 00:20:20,254 I was like, "Oh, he's-- he's not what I remember him." 538 00:20:20,287 --> 00:20:21,655 As soon as you got in the games, 539 00:20:21,688 --> 00:20:22,756 you just turn on again. 540 00:20:22,789 --> 00:20:24,558 BEN: Good to go again, yeah. - Yeah, it was mental. 541 00:20:24,591 --> 00:20:26,594 - I hope--I hope I'm feeling good tomorrow. 542 00:20:26,627 --> 00:20:28,696 I was nervous. I was really, really nervous. 543 00:20:28,729 --> 00:20:30,664 Like I say, I hadn't played for a while. 544 00:20:30,697 --> 00:20:31,932 There's gonna be a lot of eyes on me. 545 00:20:31,965 --> 00:20:34,301 You know, if I make a mistake in the first few minutes, 546 00:20:34,334 --> 00:20:35,703 it's gonna be like, "What have we done? 547 00:20:35,736 --> 00:20:37,438 This is a circus." Do you know what I mean? 548 00:20:37,471 --> 00:20:39,607 "You're signing a 40-year-old goalie that's miles off it." 549 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:42,576 [indistinct chatter] 550 00:20:48,515 --> 00:20:51,752 [soft upbeat music] 551 00:20:51,785 --> 00:20:54,688 [turn signal chimes] - Hello, mate. Ben Foster. 552 00:21:00,394 --> 00:21:02,229 - 18 years ago. It was 18. 553 00:21:02,262 --> 00:21:03,430 PERSON: I was there. BEN: [laughs] 554 00:21:03,463 --> 00:21:06,400 PERSON: I'll see you, Ben. BEN: Cheers, mate. Thank you. 555 00:21:06,433 --> 00:21:09,470 - Aww, that's really lovely. Thank you very much. 556 00:21:09,503 --> 00:21:12,306 Of course you can. [indistinct chatter] 557 00:21:12,339 --> 00:21:15,075 [crowd chanting] 558 00:21:15,108 --> 00:21:16,577 ANNOUNCER: Let's turn our attention to today-- 559 00:21:16,610 --> 00:21:18,345 Wrexham against York City. 560 00:21:18,378 --> 00:21:20,214 Two changes for Wrexham. Here goes one-- 561 00:21:20,247 --> 00:21:24,351 Ben Foster makes his return to the racecourse. 562 00:21:24,384 --> 00:21:26,253 He'll be in goal for us. 563 00:21:26,286 --> 00:21:28,355 Uh, it's a strange old world. 564 00:21:28,388 --> 00:21:31,058 It's time for Foster Mania. 565 00:21:31,091 --> 00:21:32,760 - Foster just got to keep a clean sheet, hasn't he? 566 00:21:32,793 --> 00:21:34,194 INTERVIEWER: Well, he has to, doesn't he? 567 00:21:34,227 --> 00:21:35,262 That's what he's here for. 568 00:21:35,295 --> 00:21:37,498 Let's hope he's got nothing to do. 569 00:21:37,531 --> 00:21:38,632 INTERVIEWER: Yeah? - I am. 570 00:21:38,665 --> 00:21:40,768 I really am, uh, just because he hasn't-- 571 00:21:40,801 --> 00:21:42,736 he must've had two good days training, 572 00:21:42,769 --> 00:21:45,239 because if you've not really been-- 573 00:21:45,272 --> 00:21:47,207 been at it for nine months, 574 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:49,076 how--how easy is it to come back in? 575 00:21:49,109 --> 00:21:52,012 How match-sharp are you? I don't know. I don't know. 576 00:21:55,782 --> 00:21:57,484 - [laughs] 577 00:21:57,517 --> 00:21:59,119 Yeah, I'm gonna have to, mate. 578 00:21:59,152 --> 00:22:02,222 I totally forgot you needed shin pads. 579 00:22:02,255 --> 00:22:04,391 Oh, they're golden, mate. [laughs] 580 00:22:04,424 --> 00:22:07,461 [indistinct chatter] 581 00:22:07,494 --> 00:22:09,363 - Rob McElhenney. - Yes! 582 00:22:09,396 --> 00:22:11,231 You could tell by the smell Wasn't it the smell? 583 00:22:11,264 --> 00:22:12,333 RYAN: Yeah. 584 00:22:12,366 --> 00:22:13,767 - Work like dogs, all right? 585 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:16,203 PHIL: Come on, boys. Hey, fucking no disappointments. 586 00:22:16,236 --> 00:22:17,471 BEN: Best team in the league. 587 00:22:17,504 --> 00:22:19,206 We're the best team in the league, 588 00:22:19,239 --> 00:22:20,708 but you still got to outwork everyone. 589 00:22:20,741 --> 00:22:24,345 CROWD: ♪ See the Reds who fight together ♪ 590 00:22:24,378 --> 00:22:25,746 ♪ Speak their names with pride forever ♪ 591 00:22:25,779 --> 00:22:27,514 ANNOUNCER: Here come the teams. 592 00:22:27,547 --> 00:22:30,084 My watch just warned me that I'm in a loud environment. 593 00:22:30,117 --> 00:22:31,619 Well, listen to this. 594 00:22:31,652 --> 00:22:33,354 ANNOUNCER 2: [chuckles] And it's about to get louder. 595 00:22:33,387 --> 00:22:35,222 [singing continues] 596 00:22:35,255 --> 00:22:38,492 CROWD: ♪ Fearless in devotion ♪ 597 00:22:38,525 --> 00:22:42,062 ♪ Rising to promotion ♪ 598 00:22:42,095 --> 00:22:43,631 [singing continues] 599 00:22:43,664 --> 00:22:45,599 - Look at that beast. Look at that beast. 600 00:22:45,632 --> 00:22:47,201 ROB: Yeah, that's a big man. 601 00:22:47,234 --> 00:22:48,469 PERSON: Oh, shit. 602 00:22:48,502 --> 00:22:50,070 - It meant a bit to me, do you know what I mean? 603 00:22:50,103 --> 00:22:52,172 It was like I was coming home again almost. 604 00:22:52,205 --> 00:22:53,741 But I couldn't help, um, 605 00:22:53,774 --> 00:22:55,376 in the hours leading up to the game, 606 00:22:55,409 --> 00:22:57,211 just thinking about it, thinking, you know, 607 00:22:57,244 --> 00:22:58,078 "There's gonna be a lot of eyes. 608 00:22:58,112 --> 00:22:59,313 There's gonna be a lot of focus." 609 00:22:59,346 --> 00:23:02,349 [dramatic music] 610 00:23:02,382 --> 00:23:07,588 ♪ ♪ 611 00:23:07,621 --> 00:23:08,722 ANNOUNCER: Plays it backwards, 612 00:23:08,755 --> 00:23:10,357 driven long to the halfway line. 613 00:23:10,390 --> 00:23:12,092 John-Lewis driving in to Tozer, 614 00:23:12,125 --> 00:23:13,494 brings it down well and feeds it inside 615 00:23:13,527 --> 00:23:15,229 to the man outside. 616 00:23:15,262 --> 00:23:16,463 He plays it. 617 00:23:16,496 --> 00:23:17,598 Mendy can't make the interception. 618 00:23:17,631 --> 00:23:20,100 Fallowfield drives it in. 619 00:23:20,133 --> 00:23:21,502 [cheers and applause] 620 00:23:21,535 --> 00:23:24,071 RYAN: Yes! There we go! 621 00:23:24,104 --> 00:23:26,073 BEN: York City, they're-- 622 00:23:26,106 --> 00:23:27,741 as most teams in this league-- 623 00:23:27,774 --> 00:23:29,009 are very good at just putting balls into the box. 624 00:23:29,042 --> 00:23:31,478 ANNOUNCER: The diagonal for John-Lewis, who backs in well, 625 00:23:31,511 --> 00:23:34,348 jumps loose, shot-- Good save by Foster! 626 00:23:34,381 --> 00:23:36,350 RYAN: There we go! - That's a long man. 627 00:23:36,383 --> 00:23:38,352 - That's why we spent all those peanuts. 628 00:23:38,385 --> 00:23:40,354 - That's a long man. 629 00:23:40,387 --> 00:23:41,321 BEN: First couple of minutes, 630 00:23:41,355 --> 00:23:43,223 they--they put balls in the box relentlessly. 631 00:23:43,256 --> 00:23:45,059 For a goalie, it's nightmare. 632 00:23:45,092 --> 00:23:46,627 ANNOUNCER: And across to Flagstaff, the defender, 633 00:23:46,660 --> 00:23:48,762 and Foster takes it comfortably under his bar. 634 00:23:48,795 --> 00:23:51,398 Bit of backspin on it, but he took it well. 635 00:23:51,431 --> 00:23:54,335 Foster, that's a great throw. 636 00:23:54,368 --> 00:23:57,605 Finds Lee surging forward, got two strikers ahead of him. 637 00:23:57,638 --> 00:23:59,173 BEN: As a goalie, that's, like-- 638 00:23:59,206 --> 00:24:00,441 oh, that's the dream start. 639 00:24:00,474 --> 00:24:02,476 Come and take a cross, bowl it out. 640 00:24:02,509 --> 00:24:05,045 It's like, yeah, here we go. We're cooking now. 641 00:24:05,078 --> 00:24:07,314 ANNOUNCER: Great confidence and experience from Ben Foster 642 00:24:07,347 --> 00:24:08,749 at the back there, collecting the ball. 643 00:24:08,782 --> 00:24:10,751 Great throw out on a good break. 644 00:24:10,784 --> 00:24:12,519 BEN: Not only for me, but, I think, 645 00:24:12,552 --> 00:24:14,755 for the lads in front of me, my back four, my defenders. 646 00:24:14,788 --> 00:24:18,626 They see a goalie that's willing to come off his line... 647 00:24:18,659 --> 00:24:20,761 a confident goalie, proactive goalie, 648 00:24:20,794 --> 00:24:22,363 they think, "Yeah, this is nice. 649 00:24:22,396 --> 00:24:24,231 This is--we've got--we got a good goalie behind us." 650 00:24:24,264 --> 00:24:27,067 So I think it just settled everybody, settled everything. 651 00:24:27,100 --> 00:24:28,235 - Nice. - Yeah! 652 00:24:28,268 --> 00:24:29,470 ANNOUNCER: Wrexham build it nicely. 653 00:24:29,503 --> 00:24:31,472 Lee now, left edge, cuts inside, 654 00:24:31,505 --> 00:24:33,173 Beats his man, squares it! 655 00:24:33,206 --> 00:24:36,243 Cannon, helps it on first time, German shot! 656 00:24:36,276 --> 00:24:38,612 Off the bar! 657 00:24:38,645 --> 00:24:40,347 [tense music] 658 00:24:40,380 --> 00:24:42,750 Has it gone in? I think it has! 659 00:24:42,783 --> 00:24:45,753 ♪ ♪ 660 00:24:45,786 --> 00:24:47,454 It's given! 661 00:24:47,487 --> 00:24:49,256 [thunderous cheers and applause] 662 00:24:49,289 --> 00:24:50,758 It's a Wrexham goal! 663 00:24:50,791 --> 00:24:53,093 - Whoo! 664 00:24:53,126 --> 00:24:55,763 Yes! Whoo! 665 00:24:55,796 --> 00:24:56,964 ANNOUNCER: Come on! 666 00:24:56,997 --> 00:25:00,100 ANNOUNCER 2: It's an own goal by the keeper, Whitley! 667 00:25:00,133 --> 00:25:01,368 PERSON: Yes! Come on! 668 00:25:01,401 --> 00:25:03,103 [cheers and applause] 669 00:25:03,136 --> 00:25:07,007 [person cheers] - Aah! 670 00:25:09,776 --> 00:25:11,612 ANNOUNCER: Tozer's delivery comes in at pace. 671 00:25:11,645 --> 00:25:13,581 ANNOUNCER 2: Yes. ANNOUNCER: Header comes on! 672 00:25:13,614 --> 00:25:16,216 And it's there! Sam Dalby for Wrexham! 673 00:25:16,249 --> 00:25:18,318 - Tremendous stuff, that! 674 00:25:21,254 --> 00:25:23,490 BEN: That was the first time I got to see us play 675 00:25:23,523 --> 00:25:25,492 proper football, and I'm watching it, thinking, 676 00:25:25,525 --> 00:25:28,729 "This is--this is so far above non-league, it's ridiculous." 677 00:25:28,762 --> 00:25:31,231 Like, we are so much better than non-league. 678 00:25:31,264 --> 00:25:32,766 ANNOUNCER: Foster launches it long. 679 00:25:32,799 --> 00:25:34,735 It's helped on by Dalby and Lee is one-on-one! 680 00:25:34,768 --> 00:25:38,205 Can he wrap it up? Yes! [cheers and applause] 681 00:25:38,238 --> 00:25:39,740 3-nil! 682 00:25:39,773 --> 00:25:41,742 Elliot Lee gets a goal he deserves, 683 00:25:41,775 --> 00:25:43,744 'cause he's been a constant threat. 684 00:25:43,777 --> 00:25:45,479 - [laughs] 685 00:25:45,512 --> 00:25:48,315 ANNOUNCER: And that is it, a 3-nil win. 686 00:25:48,348 --> 00:25:50,584 [cheers and applause] 687 00:25:50,617 --> 00:25:52,086 We see Mullin celebrating. 688 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:55,256 We see Ben Foster enjoying the applause 689 00:25:55,289 --> 00:25:56,724 of the Wrexham fans. 690 00:25:56,757 --> 00:25:59,059 - These lads are class, you know--look at this. 691 00:25:59,092 --> 00:26:03,364 [supporters chanting] 692 00:26:03,397 --> 00:26:07,101 - Oh, yeah. One step closer. 693 00:26:07,134 --> 00:26:09,236 - Boo-yah. 694 00:26:09,269 --> 00:26:12,106 Get in there. Winning start, love that. 695 00:26:12,139 --> 00:26:13,340 SUPPORTER: Ben Foster. 696 00:26:13,373 --> 00:26:14,642 - He was amazing then, though, wasn't he? 697 00:26:14,675 --> 00:26:17,611 - Amazing then, and he's amazing now. 698 00:26:17,644 --> 00:26:18,712 - He's the man. 699 00:26:18,745 --> 00:26:20,614 - That's what we need till the end of this year-- 700 00:26:20,647 --> 00:26:22,216 someone solid between the sticks. 701 00:26:22,249 --> 00:26:24,084 - Yeah, rock-solid Ben Foster. Come on! 702 00:26:24,117 --> 00:26:25,085 - Go, Wrexham! 703 00:26:25,118 --> 00:26:26,286 - Absolutely brilliant play, 704 00:26:26,319 --> 00:26:29,089 brilliant play, but I felt that he was playing with love, 705 00:26:29,122 --> 00:26:30,758 and it was really nice to see. 706 00:26:30,791 --> 00:26:33,227 - You've come for eight games. That's one down now. 707 00:26:33,260 --> 00:26:34,595 A perfect start. - Yeah. 708 00:26:34,628 --> 00:26:36,397 - Another seven of them, and-- - Oh, we're cooking. 709 00:26:36,430 --> 00:26:37,598 Yeah, we just need to keep it going. 710 00:26:37,631 --> 00:26:38,799 We just need to keep it going. 711 00:26:38,832 --> 00:26:40,467 It's as simple as that, and it's nice, though, 712 00:26:40,500 --> 00:26:42,202 'cause, like I say, I started my career here, 713 00:26:42,235 --> 00:26:43,737 and then I'm gonna finish my career here, 714 00:26:43,770 --> 00:26:46,440 and that's the--it's, like, the full circle of a football. 715 00:26:46,473 --> 00:26:48,075 Like, it's--yeah, it's very, very nice. 716 00:26:48,108 --> 00:26:50,477 INTERVIEWER: That could be May, or could it be...? 717 00:26:50,510 --> 00:26:52,479 - Oh, don't--let's not get carried away. 718 00:26:52,512 --> 00:26:54,348 INTERVIEWER: [laughs] - Let's not get carried away. 719 00:26:54,381 --> 00:26:55,349 Bloody hell. Let's get these, uh, 720 00:26:55,382 --> 00:26:56,550 next seven games out of the way. 721 00:26:56,583 --> 00:26:59,486 - When he came in Thursday in training, he was excellent, 722 00:26:59,519 --> 00:27:03,090 and he was, uh, very confident he'd be fine to play, 723 00:27:03,123 --> 00:27:04,458 and he certainly showed it. 724 00:27:04,491 --> 00:27:06,126 - I felt really good, to be fair. 725 00:27:06,159 --> 00:27:07,628 I was nervous, like, I was--I-- 726 00:27:07,661 --> 00:27:10,364 Like I say, I've played games, but I was still nervous, 727 00:27:10,397 --> 00:27:12,232 genuinely, so nervous. 728 00:27:12,265 --> 00:27:13,634 - How are you? ROB: Ah, good to see you. 729 00:27:13,667 --> 00:27:15,736 Great win, great win. - [laughs] I love this. 730 00:27:15,769 --> 00:27:17,471 I love how much it means to you lot. 731 00:27:17,504 --> 00:27:19,073 ROB: Oh, my God, please. - It's class, isn't it? 732 00:27:19,106 --> 00:27:21,475 ROB: It's incredible. - 10,000 fans there today. 733 00:27:21,508 --> 00:27:23,344 You know, there's no country in the world that would have 734 00:27:23,377 --> 00:27:25,346 a non-league stadium have 10,000 fans in it. 735 00:27:25,379 --> 00:27:26,380 It's bonkers. 736 00:27:26,413 --> 00:27:27,781 Rob, uh, Ryan, 737 00:27:27,814 --> 00:27:30,651 they're both just buzzing, like, absolutely buzzing. 738 00:27:30,684 --> 00:27:33,087 Um, "We're so thankful. We're so happy." 739 00:27:33,120 --> 00:27:34,622 Like, "Thank you for joining us. 740 00:27:34,655 --> 00:27:36,624 "Thank you for helping us. It means so much to us. 741 00:27:36,657 --> 00:27:37,792 "You know, we're gonna get over the line, 742 00:27:37,825 --> 00:27:40,227 "and we--we're gonna have a wicked time in Vegas when 743 00:27:40,260 --> 00:27:42,463 we've won the league and"-- [laughs] 744 00:27:42,496 --> 00:27:43,764 And as soon as they said that, I went, 745 00:27:43,797 --> 00:27:45,532 "We're going to Vegas? We're gonna go to Vegas?" 746 00:27:45,565 --> 00:27:47,201 And they were like, "Yeah, of course we're going to Vegas." 747 00:27:47,234 --> 00:27:48,469 And I was like, "Oh, you're the boys." 748 00:27:48,502 --> 00:27:51,639 What a start to life at Wrexham FC, 3-nil. 749 00:27:51,672 --> 00:27:53,774 The boys were on absolute fire, and as always, 750 00:27:53,807 --> 00:27:56,377 you know I like to look out for you lot. 751 00:27:56,410 --> 00:27:58,345 We've got a giveaway, and I've got a friend 752 00:27:58,378 --> 00:28:00,481 to tell you what all you need to do. 753 00:28:00,514 --> 00:28:03,083 - If you want to win this, this Foster shirt... 754 00:28:03,116 --> 00:28:05,352 [sniffs] Which smells exactly like victory 755 00:28:05,385 --> 00:28:06,620 and some other stuff... [Ben laughs] 756 00:28:06,653 --> 00:28:08,656 - You know what to do, all right? 757 00:28:08,689 --> 00:28:11,091 - As always, give this video a like, subscribe, 758 00:28:11,124 --> 00:28:12,626 and then get in the comments and say something nice. 759 00:28:12,659 --> 00:28:14,194 It's as simple as that. All the best. See you soon. 760 00:28:18,265 --> 00:28:20,267 [bright whimsical music] 761 00:28:20,300 --> 00:28:22,036 ♪ ♪ 762 00:28:22,069 --> 00:28:24,505 BEN: All right, come on, then, big dog, let's go. 763 00:28:24,538 --> 00:28:26,607 [billiard balls clacking] 764 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:27,775 - He was brilliant at the start of it. 765 00:28:27,808 --> 00:28:30,210 - Yeah, it was all right? I've enjoyed it, to be fair. 766 00:28:30,243 --> 00:28:32,079 Like I say, everybody's been dead nice, and-- 767 00:28:32,112 --> 00:28:34,615 God's sake, this is a bad game, this. 768 00:28:34,648 --> 00:28:36,083 That's unlucky, that, you know? 769 00:28:36,116 --> 00:28:37,351 Don't ever get too high, yeah? 770 00:28:37,384 --> 00:28:39,086 Don't ever get too low. It's as sim-- 771 00:28:39,119 --> 00:28:40,754 Try to stay somewhere in that middle bit. 772 00:28:40,787 --> 00:28:43,123 If you can stay there, you won't go far wrong. 773 00:28:43,156 --> 00:28:45,359 - The lads are from levels higher, aren't they? 774 00:28:45,392 --> 00:28:46,760 - Much higher, mate. - Yeah. 775 00:28:46,793 --> 00:28:48,495 - Much higher. I'd say a league, one level. 776 00:28:48,528 --> 00:28:50,364 - That's what I always picture. 777 00:28:50,397 --> 00:28:52,199 It's like, we've got a League One team 778 00:28:52,232 --> 00:28:55,369 playing non-league, but it's still no guarantees in that. 779 00:28:55,402 --> 00:28:57,638 BEN: No chance, mate. 780 00:28:57,671 --> 00:29:00,207 MARK: The levels that we've performed at 781 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:01,375 and the results that we've got, 782 00:29:01,408 --> 00:29:04,211 the standards that we've got as a team, 783 00:29:04,244 --> 00:29:07,081 we deserve it, but whether we'll get it or not 784 00:29:07,114 --> 00:29:08,649 is a different thing. 785 00:29:08,682 --> 00:29:10,217 - If I miss this, I'll be heartbroken, 786 00:29:10,250 --> 00:29:11,485 by the way. 787 00:29:11,518 --> 00:29:13,354 Nearly rolled off, that did. - Nice, mate. 788 00:29:13,387 --> 00:29:14,755 - [laughing] Nearly rolled off. 789 00:29:14,788 --> 00:29:16,323 [both laugh] 790 00:29:16,356 --> 00:29:19,260 [lively orchestral music] 791 00:29:19,293 --> 00:29:20,661 ♪ ♪ 792 00:29:20,694 --> 00:29:22,062 - We've got to do it this year. 793 00:29:22,095 --> 00:29:23,764 We've got to--we've got to-- we've-- 794 00:29:23,797 --> 00:29:26,500 we've got to have a bit of luck, surely, you know. 795 00:29:26,533 --> 00:29:29,069 - The clever thing about Parky is he's built a team, 796 00:29:29,102 --> 00:29:30,738 more for probably mid-table League One. 797 00:29:30,771 --> 00:29:32,473 - Yeah, we get--we get League One crowds. 798 00:29:32,506 --> 00:29:34,208 [crowd shouts] 799 00:29:34,241 --> 00:29:36,343 - I think if we go up-- I think-- 800 00:29:36,376 --> 00:29:37,511 I think we go straight up again. 801 00:29:37,544 --> 00:29:38,612 PERSON: Yeah. 802 00:29:38,645 --> 00:29:39,713 - I think we go straight up again. 803 00:29:39,746 --> 00:29:42,082 PERSON: Through it all... 804 00:29:42,115 --> 00:29:44,351 flippin' Notts County haven't lost a step. 805 00:29:44,384 --> 00:29:45,753 They're still with us. 806 00:29:45,786 --> 00:29:47,187 PERSON: Well, the battle with Notts County 807 00:29:47,220 --> 00:29:49,623 has been absolutely remarkable, hasn't it? 808 00:29:49,656 --> 00:29:51,759 Two unbelievable football sides. 809 00:29:51,792 --> 00:29:54,361 - They're a very, very good side, Notts County. 810 00:29:54,394 --> 00:29:55,462 PERSON: Play good football, yeah. 811 00:29:55,495 --> 00:29:56,764 - Very good. PERSON: Yeah. 812 00:29:56,797 --> 00:30:00,768 - All 5 leagues, no one has ever earned 107 points. 813 00:30:00,801 --> 00:30:04,471 I mean, Notts County can go up with 109 points... 814 00:30:04,504 --> 00:30:06,473 PERSON: Would you look at who's up next? 815 00:30:06,506 --> 00:30:08,075 It's all been leading up to this. 816 00:30:08,108 --> 00:30:10,311 With the season nearing the final hurdle, 817 00:30:10,344 --> 00:30:11,779 it's the big one. 818 00:30:11,812 --> 00:30:14,582 - Surely it's done. Surely it's done. 819 00:30:14,615 --> 00:30:15,783 - Uh, absolutely. [person laughs] 820 00:30:15,816 --> 00:30:18,385 - Um, if we don't do it this time, we may as well pack up 821 00:30:18,418 --> 00:30:20,053 and go home really, innit, you know?