Ben Foster has revealed the brutally honest chat he had with Phil Parkinson before sensationally joining Wrexham for a second time.

Foster came out of retirement in March 2023 to help the North Wales side win promotion as National League champions after an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Rob Lainton. At the age of 39, the former Manchester United and England stopper boasted 390 Premier League appearances when he signed.

Given his impressive CV, you might expect that the Wrexham manager jumped at the chance of bringing him to the Racecourse Ground without having to think. However, Foster has admitted it was not that simple, with Parkinson keen to ensure he still had the hunger to play his part in a close title race with Notts County.

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Foster has now lifted the lid on just how tense the initial conversation between the pair really was. Speaking on the latest episode of his 'Fozcast' podcast, he said: "I was properly on the back foot at nearly 40 years old, when I had Phil Parkinson grilling me.

"He was very clear with me and very honest. He said: 'Listen, if you're coming here just for a bit of PR, then that's not what we're looking for. It's not going to work. But if you're coming here to work hard and help get us over the line, then this can be something'.

“As soon as I heard those words, and I looked into his eyes, I thought that this is serious business here. I liked it."

Despite the close cross-examination, Foster believes Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney deserve credit for the level of control given to Parkinson when it comes to recruitment.

He added: "At most football clubs there's a head of recruitment, there's people under the head of recruitment and there's other people getting their grubby hands into it all. He is still right at the top of the tree at Wrexham, where he wants to know everything about everyone."

Foster first joined Wrexham on loan from Stoke City in 2005, helping them lift the LDV Vans Trophy. It was during the final of the tournament in Cardiff that he was spotted by then-United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was there to watch his son Darren captaining the Red Dragons.

Foster also made a vital contribution in his second spell with Wrexham, saving a crucial late penalty during their memorable 3-2 home victory over Notts County in April 2023. The result handed Parkinson's side a key advantage in the National League title race, with Foster earning praise from Deadpool star Reynolds immediately after the match.

Reynolds was clearly giddy with excitement after the game, as he made a beeline for Foster in a corridor near the changing rooms. "It doesn't get any better, does it," an excited Foster said to Reynolds.

The Hollywood A-lister pushed his goalkeeper away and replied: "You son of a b****! What was that about?! You're too old for that! What the f***? That was just... bananas! That was the most dramatic thing I've ever seen in my life." The pair ended the encounter with a warm embrace before Foster scurried off to do his media duties.

The goalkeeper later signed a one year extension with the club, but went back into retirement in August 2023 after conceding 13 goals in his first four League Two outings.