Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham transfer gamble has been vindicated

Ben Foster's arrival at Wrexham last month raised eyebrows across the footballing world.

It was no secret that the Welsh club's Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney had the funds to pull off outlandish signings for the National League. Agreeing a deal to sign Paul Mullin after his superb season in League Two with Cambridge United was proof that Wrexham meant business.

However, former Manchester United 'keeper Foster's signing was of another level entirely. As recently as last season, the 40-year-old was appearing in the Premier League with Watford.

ALSO READ: Foster reacts after last-gasp penalty save

He had been out of the game for the entirety of the 2022/23 season prior to March but, when Rob Lainton picked up a season-ending injury, Wrexham had no doubts about approaching Foster. While some questioned whether he could still perform to a professional standard, others saw the deal as a masterstroke in the short term to get the Red Dragons over the line.

On Good Friday though, the doubters looked like they may have been proved right. In truth, it was an overall poor performance at FC Halifax Town by Wrexham and each player deserved to be held accountable.

But, as a senior professional with Premier League experience, Foster was targeted as the main villain. Criticised as a 'PR signing' some deemed the ex-United man as hindering the Red Dragons' promotion charge.

Three days later, Foster's last-gasp penalty save vs Notts County looks to have all but secured promotion for the North Wales club. Speaking post-match to The Leader, manager Phil Parkinson praised his 'keeper for the late stop: "Strikers produce big moments and goalkeepers equally, big players come up with the goods when it matters most.

"Fozzy