Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham City's Ben Foster hates life in the spotlight
ShareBen Foster has turned his back on England because he was not enjoying himself. [LNB]To most, such behaviour would appear unthinkable. But to the devoted family man who plays in goal for Birmingham City, football never has been - and never will be - his top priority. [LNB]Of course, he enjoys the ?1.25m-plus salary. But after being plucked from the obscurity of Racing Club Warwick, the 28-year-old has always been able to look at the bigger picture. [LNB]And the fact is that while he lives the life, he does not love the life. [LNB] Committed to his club: Ben Foster (left)[LNB]For example, earlier this season, Foster had just played the game of his life during his club's victory over Chelsea when he was asked for an autograph by an ecstatic home supporter. 'I bet you can't wait to get home and watch that again,' said the fan. [LNB]'You must be joking,' came the reply. 'I'm going home to see the kids before they go to bed and then I'm off out with the wife and my friends.' [LNB]A snapshot maybe, but all the evidence points to a sportsman who simply isn't comfortable with the massive scrutiny he came under at Manchester United. [LNB]It explains why he preferred to extend his career at St Andrew's, near his Warwickshire roots, rather than try to extend himself at Old Trafford. He could have stayed with the champions-elect this season, secure in the knowledge that he would succeed Edwin van der Sar, but wanted to be No 1 in his own right. And on his own terms. [LNB] Happy Blue: Foster is enjoying life back in the Midlands[LNB]In a short question-and-answer interview in the club programme, to the question, 'What do you dislike about football?' he answered: 'The celebrity status that goes with it.' [LNB]He would also have seen the prospect of two extra weeks with England at the end of this season - without any prospect of a start against Switzerland - as time he would rather spend with his family. [LNB]The writing has been on the wall for some time, with a succession of relatively minor injuries having led to his withdrawal from several squads. Last August, problems with his back caused him to pull out of the friendly against Hungary. Six months later, he injured a thumb and was sent home from duty prior to the game in Denmark. [LNB] Criticism: Foster was blamed for Karim Benzema's goal against England in November[LNB]And in March a sore throat curtailed his involvement in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales. [LNB]Foster was also upset by the level of criticism he received following Karim Benzema's opening goal in the 2-1 defeat by France at Wembley last November. [LNB]He also accepts that Joe Hart is likely to start ahead of him. [LNB]'I don't want to leave what I've got at Birmingham City,' he said after the draw with Wolves 12 days ago. 'I'm back home where I was born.' [LNB]And it seems that not even Fabio Capello and the lure of the Three Lions is going to get in the way of that.[LNB] England? Forget it! Snub for Capello as No 2 Foster turns his back on countryRedknapp eyes Foster as Spurs plan for life after calamity keeper GomesAfrica here we come! Birmingham set to tour Tanzania ahead of new season All the latest Birmingham City news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Joe Hart, Karim Benzema, Fabio Capello, Edwin Van Der Sar, Ben Foster Places: France, Denmark, Hungary, United Kingdom, Wales, Switzerland
