Wayne Foster
Encyclopedia
Wayne Foster is a former professional footballer who played as a striker in England and Scotland
during the 1980s and 1990s.
youth internationalist, Foster started his career at Bolton Wanderers
, signing his first professional contract in August 1981. However, he left for Preston North End in 1985 after failing to fully establish himself at Burnden Park
. He lasted less than a year before Alex MacDonald signed him for Heart of Midlothian
on a free transfer.
. He was initially regarded to as a first team regular in his first 2 seasons but in a total of 65 starts he only amassed 14 goals. He was used sparingly in later seasons as he still struggled to get the goals, failing to score a single goal from 17 appearances in the 1992-93 season
.
which had risen to 20 games before the sides were drawn together in the 4th Round of the Scottish Cup
at Hibs' ground, Easter Road
. With Hearts struggling in the league under Sandy Clark
, and having the 'away disadvantage', Hibs were considered favourites for the tie - a result which would give them their first win since 4 January 1989 and end their jinx.
However, it was Hearts who opened the scoring inside the first three minutes, when John Robertson
scored, one of 27 goals he scored against Hibs in his career. Hibs equalised before half time when Keith Wright
headed home and dominated the second half, almost taking the lead when Hearts defender Craig Levein
hit his own post. In an attempt to reverse the tide, Hearts replaced the tiring Robertson with Foster. With just four minutes remaining, Gary Mackay
played a long ball over the top of the Hibs defence for Foster to run on for. Using his pace, he controlled the ball and fired the ball through the legs of advancing Hibs goalkeeper Jim Leighton
and into the net, right in front of the jubilant Hearts support.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
during the 1980s and 1990s.
Early career
An EnglishEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
youth internationalist, Foster started his career at Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, signing his first professional contract in August 1981. However, he left for Preston North End in 1985 after failing to fully establish himself at Burnden Park
Burnden Park
Burnden Park was the home of English FA Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers who played home games here between 1895 and 1997. As well as hosting an FA Cup Final replay it was the scene of one of the greatest disasters in English football and the subject of an L. S...
. He lasted less than a year before Alex MacDonald signed him for Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
on a free transfer.
Hearts
Foster spent 7 seasons at TynecastleTynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
. He was initially regarded to as a first team regular in his first 2 seasons but in a total of 65 starts he only amassed 14 goals. He was used sparingly in later seasons as he still struggled to get the goals, failing to score a single goal from 17 appearances in the 1992-93 season
1992-93 in Scottish football
The 1992–93 season was the 96th season of competitive football in Scotland.- Notable events:* Rangers completing a domestic treble of the Premier Division title, FA Cup and League Cup....
.
Scottish Cup 4th Round, 20 February 1994
Whilst never regarded as anything more than a squad player, it was this game that put Foster into Heart of Midlothian folklore. Hearts had gone on a run of games undefeated against arch-rivals HibernianHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
which had risen to 20 games before the sides were drawn together in the 4th Round of the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
at Hibs' ground, Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
. With Hearts struggling in the league under Sandy Clark
Sandy Clark
Alexander "Sandy" Clark is a former professional football player and currently a pundit for BBC Scotland. He was a centre forward....
, and having the 'away disadvantage', Hibs were considered favourites for the tie - a result which would give them their first win since 4 January 1989 and end their jinx.
However, it was Hearts who opened the scoring inside the first three minutes, when John Robertson
John Grant Robertson
John Robertson is a former professional association football player and is currently the manager of East Fife. His playing career included spells at Newcastle United, Dundee and Livingston but he is best known for his two spells at Heart of Midlothian...
scored, one of 27 goals he scored against Hibs in his career. Hibs equalised before half time when Keith Wright
Keith Wright (footballer)
Keith Wright is a Scottish former international footballer who played as a striker.-Career:Wright began his career in 1983 with Raith Rovers and achieved nearly a goal every two games during his time at Stark's Park. In December 1986, Wright moved north to Dundee, where he won the Challenge Cup in...
headed home and dominated the second half, almost taking the lead when Hearts defender Craig Levein
Craig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
hit his own post. In an attempt to reverse the tide, Hearts replaced the tiring Robertson with Foster. With just four minutes remaining, Gary Mackay
Gary Mackay
Gary Mackay is a former Scottish international association football player, who is now a SFA–registered agent. He also managed for a year.-Club career:...
played a long ball over the top of the Hibs defence for Foster to run on for. Using his pace, he controlled the ball and fired the ball through the legs of advancing Hibs goalkeeper Jim Leighton
Jim Leighton
James "Jim" Leighton MBE is a Scottish former football goalkeeper. Among the clubs he played for are Aberdeen , Manchester United, Arsenal, Dundee and Hibernian.-Club:...
and into the net, right in front of the jubilant Hearts support.
External links
- Appearances at londonhearts.com
- the aforementioned goal versus hibs http://www.londonhearts.com/images/video/foster.html