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Alex Foster (rugby league)

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Alex Foster (born 25 September 1993) is an English professional rugby league footballer who last played as a second-row, loose forward or centre for Sheffield Eagles in the RFL Championship.

Alex Foster
Personal information
Full nameAlex Foster
Born (1993-09-25) 25 September 1993 (age 31)
Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight15 st 6 lb (98 kg)[1]
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Centre, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–15 Leeds Rhinos 8 1 0 0 4
2013(DR) → Hunslet Hawks 1 0 0 0 0
2014(loan) → London Broncos 21 3 0 0 12
2015(loan) → Featherstone Rovers 27 9 0 0 36
2016 London Broncos 20 11 0 0 44
2017–21 Castleford Tigers 62 10 0 0 40
2017(DR) → Oxford 1 0 0 0 0
2018(DR) → Halifax 1 0 0 0 0
2022–23 Newcastle Thunder 27 6 0 0 24
2023(loan) → Castleford Tigers 6 2 0 0 8
2024– Sheffield Eagles 23 4 0 0 16
Total 197 46 0 0 184
Source: [2][3][4]
As of 21 July 2024

He has previously played for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League, and on loan from Leeds at the Hunslet Hawks, London Broncos and Featherstone Rovers. He played one season for the London Broncos in the Championship before returning to the Super League with the Castleford Tigers, where he spent the longest spell of his career. He appeared on dual registration from Castleford at Oxford and Halifax. He played for Newcastle Thunder in the Championship and was appointed club captain, before re-joining the Castleford Tigers on loan.

Background

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Foster was born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England.

Foster played junior rugby league for Wetherby Bulldogs before joining the Leeds Rhinos academy system.[5]

Playing career

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Leeds Rhinos

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On 30 June 2013, Foster made his Super League début for the Leeds Rhinos against the Widnes Vikings.[6][7] He scored his first Super League try against the London Broncos on 1 August, and made a total 8 appearances throughout the season.[8] In November 2013, he signed a three-year deal with Leeds.[7][9]

Hunslet Hawks (dual registration)

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In July 2013, Foster played one game for the Hunslet Hawks in the Championship on dual registration from Leeds.[10]

London Broncos (loan)

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In January 2014, Foster signed a season-long loan deal with the London Broncos alongside fellow Rhinos youngsters Thomas Minns and James Duckworth.[5][11] During the season, he played as a second-row or loose forward alongside Matt Cook and Mike McMeeken.[10] Foster scored his first try for the Broncos against the Huddersfield Giants on 10 May.[12] On 25 May, Foster scored two tries against Hull Kingston Rovers in a 48-16 defeat at Craven Park.[13][14] He made 21 appearances in total, while London were relegated to the Championship.

Featherstone Rovers (loan)

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In November 2014, Featherstone Rovers announced the signing of Foster on a season-long loan for 2015, alongside three other young Leeds players.[15][16]

London Broncos

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Foster warming up for the London Broncos in 2016

After a spell with Featherstone Rovers, Foster signed for London on a two-year deal.[citation needed] Injury meant that he was restricted to 20 appearances for the Broncos.[citation needed]

Bradford Bulls

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In 2017, Foster agreed a deal with Bradford however the club went into liquidation and Foster was released.[17]

Castleford Tigers

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In February 2017, Castleford head coach Daryl Powell confirmed that Foster had been offered a trial with the view of a two-year deal at the end of the trial.[17] In April, it was confirmed Foster signed a deal until the end of the season with Cas and was given the number 34 shirt.[18] In July, it was confirmed that Foster had signed a new deal.[19] On signing the new deal, he said, "I'm over the moon to sign here for another two years. It's a great place to be."[19] Foster was a replacement for Cas in the 2017 Grand Final and scored their only try of the game, becoming the first Castleford player to score in a Super League Grand Final.[20][21][22]

Foster demonstrated his positional versatility in 2018, starting at loose forward, second row and centre at different points throughout the season.[23] He was rewarded for his impressive form in June with a new three-and-a-half-year contract.[24] However, in July, Foster was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a foot injury.[25]

In the 2019 season, Foster made six appearances and scored one try. His playtime was limited by a knee injury sustained in March, for which he underwent surgery later in the year.[26]

 
Foster pre-game for the Castleford Tigers in 2019

Foster made his return to the team following the 2020 season's Covid-19 suspension, after spending 16 months on the sidelines.[27] In the remainder of the season, he made 8 appearances and scored 1 try.

Foster sustained a bicep injury in a pre-season friendly against Hull KR in March 2021.[28] He made his first appearance of the year in Castleford's Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington on 5 June.[28] On 17 July 2021, he played for Castleford in their 2021 Challenge Cup Final loss against St. Helens.[29] In September, it was announced that he would leave the club at the end of the 2021 season upon the expiry of his contract.[30] Speaking about his time at Castleford, Foster said, "It has been one hell of a journey and I am so thankful to everyone involved, from the coaching staff to the fans, my teammates as well who have made my time here what it has been for me."[30]

Newcastle Thunder

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On 17 October 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Newcastle Thunder in the RFL Championship on a two-year deal.[31][32] He made his first appearance and scored his first try for the club against Workington on 30 January.[33]

Castleford Tigers (loan)

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In July 2023, Castleford Tigers announced the return of Foster, signing on a season-long loan from Newcastle, alongside Greece international Billy Tsikrikas.[34][35]

Sheffield Eagles

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On 14 November 2023 it was reported that he had signed for Sheffield Eagles in the RFL Championship on a two-year deal.[36]

Club statistics

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Appearances and points in all competitions by year
Club Season Tier App T G DG Pts
  Leeds Rhinos 2013 Super League 8 1 0 0 4
→   Hunslet Hawks (DR) 2013 Championship 1 0 0 0 0
→   Featherstone Rovers (loan) 2015 Championship 27 9 0 0 36
  London Broncos 2014[a] Super League 21 3 0 0 12
2016 Championship 20 11 0 0 44
Total 41 14 0 0 56
  Castleford Tigers 2017 Super League 19 2 0 0 8
2018 Super League 16 5 0 0 20
2019 Super League 6 1 0 0 4
2020 Super League 8 1 0 0 4
2021 Super League 13 1 0 0 4
2023[b] Super League 6 2 0 0 8
Total 68 12 0 0 48
→   Oxford (DR) 2017 League 1 1 0 0 0 0
→   Halifax (DR) 2018 Championship 1 0 0 0 0
  Newcastle Thunder 2022 Championship 12 3 0 0 12
2023 Championship 15 3 0 0 12
Total 27 6 0 0 24
  Sheffield Eagles 2024 Championship 17 0 0 0 0
Career total 191 42 0 0 168
As of match played 21 July 2024
  1. ^ On loan from Leeds in 2014 before joining permanently in 2016
  2. ^ Rejoined on loan from Newcastle in 2023

References

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  1. ^ "Leeds Rhinos Players & Coaches 1st Team". web page. Leeds Rhinos. 2011. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  2. ^ RL RKC
  3. ^ Love Rugby League
  4. ^ RLP
  5. ^ a b White, Ed (14 January 2014). "Leeds Rhinos' Alex Foster joins London Broncos on loan". Harrogate Advertiser. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Super League: Widnes Vikings 36-52 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Super League: Alex Foster has signed a three-year deal with the Leeds Rhinos". Sky Sports. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Super League: London Broncos 18-30 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Foster rewarded with Rhinos deal". loverugbyleague.com. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Alex Foster player summary". Rugby League Record Keepers' Club. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  11. ^ "London Broncos have completed the signing of Leeds Rhinos trio Alex Foster, Thomas Minns and James Duckworth". Harrow Times. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Super League: London Broncos 16-30 Huddersfield Giants". BBC Sport. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Super League: Hull KR 48-16 London Broncos". BBC Sport. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  14. ^ "The RFL". therfl.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Featherstone Rovers chance to boost Alex Foster's hopes of Leeds Rhinos breakthrough". Harrogate Advertiser. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Super League: Leeds Rhinos' Foster, Tonks, Baldwinson and Minns seal loan moves to Featherstone Rovers". Sky Sports. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Castleford Tigers bring in former Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls player Alex Foster on trial". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  18. ^ Gordon, James (5 April 2017). "Foster earns permanent Castleford deal". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Alex Foster: Castleford Tigers back row extends deal until end of 2019". BBC Sport. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  20. ^ Cartwright, Phil (7 October 2017). "Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  21. ^ "Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  22. ^ "Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  23. ^ "Alex Foster - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  24. ^ "Foster lands long-term deal". Castleford Tigers. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Castleford Tigers' Foster blow softened by injury boost elsewhere". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  26. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (5 June 2019). "Castleford utility Alex Foster ruled out for the season". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  27. ^ Shaw, Matthew (29 March 2020). "Alex Foster gives insight into the painstaking boredom of rehab". TotalRL. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  28. ^ a b Craven, Dave (7 June 2021). "Frustration ends as Castleford's Alex Foster eyes Wembley". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  29. ^ "Challenge Cup: St Helens beat Castleford 26-12 for first Wembley victory since 2008". BBC Sport. 15 July 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Alex Foster to leave the Fords". Castleford Tigers. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  31. ^ Gordon, James (17 October 2021). "Super League forward confirms Newcastle move". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Newcastle Thunder confirm Alex Foster signing". Newcastle Thunder. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Workington vs Newcastle Thunder". Sky Sports. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  34. ^ Smith, Peter (20 July 2023). "Castleford Tigers make double signing as ex-Leeds Rhinos man returns". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  35. ^ "Duo join the Tigers on loan". Castleford Tigers. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Sheffield Eagles swoop to sign former Super League Grand Finalist in coup for Mark Aston's side". Love Rugby League. 14 November 2023.
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