Ben Foster only agreed to stay at Wrexham on one condition
Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Ben Foster, has revealed that he agreed to stay at Wrexham only if the club agreed to give him more days off. Foster signed a short-term deal with Wrexham at the end of last term and helped the club to get promoted from the National League during his six-week spell at the club.
Flexibility shown by Wrexham owners
Upon returning to the EFL, Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made it clear that they wanted Foster to stick around due to his wealth of experience. Foster had previously retired last year and enjoyed throwing himself into his YouTube channel and podcast work.
According to Foster, he reconsidered staying with Wrexham after the flexibility shown by the Hollywood owners. “They’d have to be flexible with me with sort of days off basically. Like I said earlier, I live a couple of hours away from Wrexham,” he said.
Foster’s contract
Foster ultimately signed a one-year deal with Wrexham. He said that he would only agree to the deal if the club agreed to be flexible with his schedule. “In the six weeks I did the club were so good with me. They were so flexible. They gave me sort of extra days off. We would play on a Saturday, they’d give me Sunday and Monday off. I’d train on Tuesday, we’d all have a day off on Wednesday anyway. I’d only be training really three days,” he explained.
Philosophical discussion
This story highlights an important aspect of contracts, which is the need for flexibility. Contracts are usually seen as rigid agreements between two or more parties, but they can also be flexible, especially when dealing with celebrities or high-profile individuals who have unique work schedules. By being flexible with Foster’s schedule, Wrexham was able to retain a valuable player who could help the team in the upcoming season.
The story also raises questions about the role of celebrities in sports. Foster is a well-known personality in the football world, having played for top clubs like Manchester United. His presence in a lower league team like Wrexham can attract more attention to the club, which can ultimately lead to increased revenue and fan support. However, it’s important to note that not all celebrities are beneficial to clubs. Some may cause distractions, conflicts, or other issues that can harm the team’s performance or reputation.
Editorial
The flexibility shown by Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in Foster’s case should be commended. It’s a good reminder that contracts don’t always have to be rigid and inflexible. By being flexible with Foster, the owners were able to retain a valuable player who could contribute to the team’s success. This is a lesson that other clubs can learn from, especially when dealing with high-profile or celebrity players.
However, it’s important to note that not all cases will require such flexibility. Clubs should carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of signing celebrities before entering into contracts with them. They should also establish clear expectations and boundaries to ensure that the celebrity’s presence does not interfere with team operations.
Advice
When entering into contracts with celebrities or high-profile individuals, it’s important to establish clear expectations and boundaries. These expectations should include the individual’s work schedule, availability, and responsibilities. It’s also recommended to include flexibility clauses in the contract, which can allow for changes in schedules or other arrangements based on changing circumstances or preferences.
Furthermore, clubs should evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of signing celebrities before entering into contracts with them. They should consider factors such as the celebrity’s popularity, their potential impact on revenue and fan support, and their ability to contribute to team success or failure. By carefully evaluating and negotiating celebrity contracts, clubs can maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks associated with celebrity involvement.
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