Ben Foster Named the 3 Hardest Players He Ever Encountered in His Long Career

Ben Foster encountered some of the most feared brutes in the English game during his time in goal, many of whom were teammates.

The legendary Serbian centre-back Nemanja Vidic was “horrible” during practice, and the former Manchester United goalie once recounted how he feared being picked for the same squad. When he put his body on the line for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Reds, his former Red Devils teammate demonstrated a never-say-die work ethic on the pitch.

Foster also played for Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, where he faced players like 6’4″ giant Swedish defender Jonas Olsson and Congolese midfield tackling threat Youssouf Mulumbu. In his playing days, Foster faced three ‘hardest’ players, but that trio wasn’t one of them. In an interview on his podcast, The Cycling GK, he highlighted three Englishmen who were intimidating both on and off the game.

Troy Deeney

Troy Deeney, the former Watford captain and striker who rose to fame at Vicarage Road with outstanding up-top performances, was the first Foster named. Although the English forward, who retired in January 2024, scored 140 goals in 419 games for the Hornets, football fans may be more familiar with his colourful personality than his skill.Foster discussed Deeney’s physique and expressed his doubt that the majority of European players could handle him:

“I would be concerned that Troy Deeney would be too strong for anyone playing English or international football. The guy is someone I’ve seen in the gym. He throws weights around as if they were insignificant. He is simply repping it out by bench pressing 120, 30, and 40 kilogrammes. ‘Mate!’ I’m thinking. Additionally, he has a dirty temper. He goes when he goes.

The Career of Troy Deeney

Clubs

Birmingham City, Watford, Walsall, and Forest Green Rovers

Looks

628

Objectives

182

Helps

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

When Deeney claimed to have snatched Cristiano Giaretta, the former director of football for Watford, by the throat, his anger flared. I dare you to laugh at me again, the 6-foot former Birmingham frontman told the Italian. As his teammates looked on, perhaps in terror, he said, “I’ll put you in the ground.” Additionally, in 2012, he was sentenced to three months in prison for beating students outside a nightclub.

Henderson, Darius

Another enormous striker who led Watford’s attack in the middle of the 2000s was Darius Henderson. He became a journeyman in English football and played for Sheffield United, Reading, Millwall, Nottingham Forest, and Brighton & Hove Albion. He was a cult legend in the English Football League.

Henderson’s 2007 Hornets performance, in which he scored 13 goals in the EFL Championship, was the high point of his career. Despite making 35 Premier League appearances, Foster implied that he could have chosen to compete in boxing:

“Darius Henderson is another big dog, old school player. Big boy, you’re right, he was completely destroyed, but I believe his favourite thing to do was fight. He enjoyed playing football and was terrific at it, but if there was a chance of trouble on a night out, he was attempting to start it. He desires it to occur. He is twice as hard.

The Career of Darius Henderson

Clubs

Reading, Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe, Brighton, Coventry, Watford, and Sheffield United

Looks

498

Objectives

129

Helps

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

During his playing career, the six-foot Henderson had seven consecutive red cards, and on New Year’s Eve 2011, the fighting antics Foster described materialised in a pub. After striking a man and causing him to need surgery, he was exonerated of committing grievous bodily harm.

Stack, Graham

Foster’s goalkeeping coach at Watford, Graham Stack, has acknowledged that he was impressed by the former United goalkeeper when working with him and Heurelho Gomes. The Hampstead native Stack played goal for 11 clubs during his career, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal, and Millwall. He made seven appearances for the Republic of Ireland at the U21 level.

The six-foot-two goalie played 129 games and had 46 clean sheets for Barnet during the most of his career. According to Foster, he was a good goalie with excellent leadership qualities who captained the Bees. His spirit of perseverance also permeated pubs:

“He is a combative individual. He was born in a pub, grew up there, has been in a lot of pub fights, and is quite handy. He is a strong boy who is constantly working out in the gym.

Arsene Wenger ran a tight ship at Arsenal.

But there was one player in his famous Invicibles squad who couldn't be tamed.

Meet the Gucci-flogging, ticket touting backup keeper Graham Stack…. pic.twitter.com/A8lqbrHypM

— The Upshot (@UpshotTowers) January 23, 2024

According to the Times, one of Stack’s mischievous activities at Arsenal involved selling first-team and younger players stolen Gucci clothing. The driver was injured after shattering the windscreen of the Gunners’ team bus. Additionally, he won £200 from Francis Jeffers and Ray Parlour after submerging his head in an ice bucket for more than a minute. As hard as nails.

The Career of Graham Stack

Clubs

Reading, Plymouth, Leeds United, Barnet, Hibernian, Millwall, Arsenal, and Wolves

Looks

349

Clean Sheets

102

Yellow Cards

Red Cards