Birmingham City deal proved a West Brom dream come true.

When West Bromwich Albion were a perpetual force at the top of the English game, the squad endured periods of significant turnover, but one constant was critical to the club’s success.

West Brom’s goalkeeping position has been largely consistent.

Since 2008, only four goalkeepers have really competed for the number one post at The Hawthorns, with all four having made over 100 appearances in the blue and white stripes.

After Alex Palmer, the most recent addition to the 100-game club, left for Ipswich Town on deadline day, it’s time for a new player to take his place.

Josh Griffiths, an Albion academy product, is the next shot-stopper looking to establish himself as the long-term choice in between the sticks, but as the Baggies cling to that elusive play-off spot, a confident transition will be critical in maintaining their foothold in the top-six chase and, even further, returning to the second tier of the English pyramid.

Griffiths would do well to remember a West Brom number one who exuded calm and confidence every time he put on the gloves, becoming a Baggies fan favourite and indispensable to the club’s successive Premier League appearances.

That player was Ben Foster.

As West Brom pursued Premier League survival, they claimed another hero.

The summer of 2011 was a turbulent period for West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies were still celebrating their 11th-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League, but the departure of Scott Carson, who had made 118 appearances, was a reason for concern.

Albion has only survived consecutive seasons in the top division once before, in 2004/05. However, normalcy was swiftly restored with West Brom’s relegation the following year.

But Baggies acted quickly. Ben Foster made a temporary move to West Brom from Birmingham City, while Boaz Myhill, a replacement shot-stopper, left The Hawthorns.

The England international had previously made headlines in the highest tier of English football in 2009, when Manchester United faced Tottenham in the Carling Cup final. With the match knotted after extra time, the Red Devils’ second-choice goalkeeper became the hero of the hour, save Jamie O’Hara’s penalty that gave United the victory and earning him man of the match honors.

The shot-stopper replicated the feat in 2011, this time in Birmingham City’s Carling Cup match against Arsenal. Foster was named man of the match at Wembley Stadium for his outstanding saves, allowing only one of the Gunners’ 11 attempts on goal. His heroic efforts helped the Blues win the trophy.

Foster’s impressive saves made him vital to the Baggies, helping them to their highest Premier League result of 10th in his first season.

Foster’s 10 clean sheets in the first flight helped Albion climb the rankings and earned him supporter and player awards.

 

Baggies purchased Ben Foster and never looked back.

West Brom manager Steve Clarke signed Foster on a permanent basis the following season to maintain the club’s top-half status, recognizing his instant aptitude in goalkeeping.

Clarke stated to the BBC that Ben has been a top priority signing throughout the summer. A quality goalie is worth 10 or 12 points every season, and that is exactly what we believe we have.

Despite a groin injury, Foster made 93 saves in 30 games, placing seventh in the save stats. His contribution was crucial as the Baggies improved their record-breaking finish to eighth place.

Albion were improving, but following Foster’s 20-match injury layoff, the team’s fortunes shifted and they seemed to be back in the division’s danger zone.

Foster’s 73 saves on his return to the Premier League helped guarantee the Black Country outlet’s survival on the last day, earning him the ultimate reward.

 

Ben Foster would perform on the largest platform and smash more Baggies records.

Foster, the West Brom number one, was chosen as England’s backup goalkeeper for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, following another impressive performance.

Although Foster did not play until England’s elimination from the tournament’s group stages, he filled in for Hart in the Three Lions’ final match against table-topping Costa Rica, earning praise for his performance and keeping his clean sheet, something England had failed to do thus far.

In March 2015, the England international suffered a cruciate ligament injury that required him to be sidelined for 290 days. However, he had already set a new Albion clean sheet record of 12 in 28 games.

For three more seasons, the Black Country club maintained its position in the first tier, and in the skillful hands of taskmaster Tony Pulis, it looked that their anxieties of relegation to the second tier had vanished, but in the 2017/18 season, those fears were rekindled.

After a sluggish start, the club sacked Pulis from his role as manager. Despite a complete 37-game season, Foster was unable to salvage the team, which fell to the division’s danger zone and subsequently dropped to the second-tier.

Despite interest from Watford and Manchester City, the Baggies’ number one declined to join the club’s pre-season camp, indicating his unwillingness to compete for promotion in the Championship.

The Hornets secured the shot-stopper’s services, bringing an end to his seven-year tenure at The Hawthorns. He is now regarded as one of the best to have worn the gloves at B71.

Foster has the record for the most Premier League saves and played a crucial role in West Brom’s longest run in the top division.