Ben Foster returns to Wrexham to support young footballers with M&S Food

The former Wrexham goalkeeper surprised players at Brickfield Rangers with a cooking session and penalty shootout as part of a campaign promoting healthier eating in grassroots football.

Former Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster returned to the city to surprise young footballers at Brickfield Rangers FC, swapping his goalkeeping gloves for an apron as part of a new initiative from M&S Food.

The former Premier League player joined M&S Senior Nutritionist Sophia Thistlethwaite to prepare spinach and banana pancakes for the youngsters following training, before returning to more familiar territory for a penalty shootout.

The visit formed part of M&S Food's Eat Well, Play Well: Grassroots Edition campaign, which aims to help grassroots football clubs and families make healthier food choices through practical, affordable recipes.

For Foster, who played a memorable role in Wrexham's promotion campaign during the 2022/23 season, the visit was also an opportunity to reconnect with the city's football community.

"I love coming back to Wrexham. There's always an energy and life for football here," he said.

"Clubs like Brickfield Rangers are the epitome of grassroots football, and it's the volunteers who give up their time that help the next generation of players come through."

From the kitchen to the football pitch

Foster's involvement in the campaign has an interesting connection to his early career.

Before becoming a professional footballer, he trained as a cook and worked as a chef while pursuing his ambitions in the sport. He continued working in kitchens until signing his first professional contract with Stoke City in 2001.

At Brickfield Rangers, he returned to those culinary roots, helping demonstrate how simple ingredients can be used to prepare nutritious food after training.

Sophia Thistlethwaite, Senior Nutritionist at M&S, explained the importance of making healthy eating approachable for young players and their families.

"Food plays an important role around training, and it was great to show the players how nutritious ingredients can be turned into something they can enjoy after being on the pitch," she said.

The campaign focuses on recipes that can be prepared without complicated techniques or expensive ingredients, recognising the time and financial pressures faced by many families involved in grassroots sport.

The volunteers keeping grassroots football alive

Founded in 1976, Brickfield Rangers is an established part of Wrexham's grassroots football community.

The volunteer run club supports more than 400 young players across 37 teams, ranging from Under 4s to Under 18s, and plays its football at the Court Road playing fields, affectionately known as the Brickie.

Like many grassroots clubs, its continued operation depends heavily on people willing to give up their own time.

Volunteer coach Dave Murray dedicates approximately 50 hours a week to the club, alongside others who have supported its activities for years.

"We do it because we love being here," he said.

The commitment of volunteers is particularly significant in youth football, where coaches and organisers often take on responsibilities extending well beyond training sessions and matchdays.

Why nutrition matters in grassroots sport

The visit comes as new research commissioned by M&S Food highlights a gap in nutrition knowledge among grassroots football coaches.

A survey of more than 200 coaches found that just 15 per cent felt confident providing nutritional advice to players or parents.

Almost a third, 31 per cent, said they would welcome additional nutrition training.

While grassroots coaches are primarily responsible for developing football skills, the findings suggest that many would value practical guidance on supporting young players' eating habits.

M&S Food is responding by developing accessible recipes and resources that clubs can share with families, helping to make healthier choices easier to incorporate into weekly routines.

The Eat Well, Play Well: Grassroots Edition campaign will continue working with clubs across the UK over the coming months, with a series of videos highlighting the people and communities behind grassroots football.

For Brickfield Rangers, Foster's visit provided a memorable afternoon for its young players. Beyond the pancakes and penalties, it also brought attention to the volunteers whose commitment allows hundreds of children to enjoy football every week.

And for Foster, it was another opportunity to return to the city where he became part of one of English football's most widely followed recent success stories.