Wrexham favourite Ben Foster has returned to the city to surprise young players at Brickfield Rangers FC. The former goalkeeper cooked up post-training pancakes before facing the youngsters in a penalty shootout. It was all part of M&S Food’s campaign to help grassroots clubs eat well.
Pancakes and Penalties With Ben Foster
Ben, who spent the 2022/23 season with Wrexham AFC, visited the club for M&S Food’s Eat Well, Play Well: Grassroots Edition campaign. He was joined by M&S Senior Nutritionist Sophia Thistlethwaite. Together, they cooked healthy spinach and banana pancakes for the hungry young players.
Then it was down to business on the pitch. Ben put his goalkeeping skills to the test in a special penalty shootout. For the youngsters, trying to beat a former England and Premier League keeper was an experience they won’t forget in a hurry.
“I love coming back to Wrexham – there’s always an energy and life for football here,” said Ben. The players clearly felt the same about him. It was a day full of smiles, both in the kitchen and on the pitch.
From Chef to Goalkeeper
Cooking is nothing new for Ben Foster. As a teenager trying to kick-start his football career, he trained as a chef. In fact, he worked in kitchens until he signed his first professional contract, with Stoke City, in 2001.
That mix of football and food made him the perfect fit for the campaign. He went on to play for Manchester United and England. Even so, Wrexham fans still remind him of one particular career moment, even on family holidays.
On the campaign, Ben praised M&S for “easy to follow recipes that are affordable, helping people who don’t have time to make complex meals”. Sophia added, “Food plays an important role around training. It was great to show the players how nutritious ingredients can be turned into something they can enjoy after being on the pitch.”
Volunteers at the Heart of the Club
Founded in 1976, Brickfield Rangers is run entirely by volunteers. It supports more than 400 young players across 37 teams, from Under 4s to Under 18s. Its teams play in the Wrexham Youth League at the Court Road playing fields, affectionately known as the Brickie.
Volunteer coach Dave Murray gives around 50 hours a week to the club. He says that commitment is shared by the whole volunteer team. Many of them have given their time for as long as they can remember.
Asked why, he said simply, “We do it because we love being here.” Ben described clubs like Brickfield Rangers as “the epitome of grassroots football”. He added, “It’s the volunteers who give up their time that help the next generation of players come through.”
Healthier Eating for Grassroots Football
The visit comes as M&S Food research reveals a gap in nutrition support at grassroots level. A survey of more than 200 grassroots coaches found only around one in seven (15%) feel confident advising on nutrition. Meanwhile, almost a third (31%) would welcome nutrition training.
To help, M&S Food is developing practical, affordable recipes for clubs. As a result, coaches and volunteers can introduce healthier habits every week. The recipes are free to download from the M&S Eat Well, Play Well website.
The campaign also complements the FA’s The Greater Game programme. That programme focuses on helping young people move, think, eat and sleep well. Together, they aim to help young players thrive on and off the pitch.
Watch the Brickfield Rangers Episode
Ben joins fellow ambassadors Laura Woods, Ian Wright, Jill Scott and Peter Crouch in championing healthier eating at grassroots level. The campaign will continue with clubs across the UK over the coming months. Episodes are shared weekly on M&S social channels, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
The Brickfield Rangers episode is well worth a watch for any young footballer. It’s also a great watch for any parent feeding one. You’ll pick up a recipe or two along the way.
For more stories from the local game, explore our sports section. There’s always plenty happening in Wrexham football. And who knows, there may be a future star at the Brickie right now.
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