Former Premier League and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster visited young players at Brickfield Rangers FC alongside M&S senior nutritionist Sophia Thistlethwaite.

He surprised the team with a healthy post-training treat; spinach and banana pancakes and tested out his goalkeeping skills against them in a penalty shootout. Foster was training to be a cook, while getting his football career off the ground. He worked as a chef up until he signed his first professional contract in 2001, with Stoke City.

The visit was part of M&S’s ‘Eat Well, Play Well: Grassroots Edition campaign‘. The campaign aids grassroots clubs across the UK in improving their nutrition through family friendly and club recipes. M&S’ research highlighted that there is a “gap in nutrition support in grassroots football.

The retailer’s survey of over 200 grassroot coaches found 15 per cent felt confident in advising players or parents on nutrition.

He said: “I love coming back to Wrexham – there’s always an energy and life for football here. 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.”

Thistlethwaite said: “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.”

Brickfield Rangers has over 400 players across 37 teams and is run by volunteers.

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