Ben Foster looking to put Man Utd misery behind him

As seasons go, the last one couldn't have gone much worse for Birmingham new boy Ben Foster.

The 27-year-old kicked off the campaign as No. 1 at Manchester United and, after consecutive starts for England in the autumn, looked on course to be Fabio Capello's first choice at the World Cup.

But by the end of the season it was a very different story.

Some high-profile errors combined with the return to fitness of Edwin Van der Sar saw him end the term third-choice at Old Trafford.

And, devastatingly, his plunge down the pecking order was not exclusive to his club.

Just months after being in the driving seat for the No. 1 jersey, the former Kidderminster and Stoke stopper failed to win any of the three goalkeeping berths for South Africa.

Clearly, it was time for a fresh start.

And £6m Foster, who signed a three-year deal this week to replace Joe Hart as Blues' first choice for next season, believes he has found the perfect place to get his career back on track.

"You come to a point in your career when you realise it's not going for you at a certain club and that time had come," reflected Foster.

"I'm delighted to have joined Birmingham. It's a team with ambition, a team looking to continue on from last season's progress and I'm just happy to be here.

"I know I was at Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, but I wanted to play regular first-team football. Being on the bench, or not even on the bench at United sometimes, is rubbish. I don't enjoy it one bit.

"Training is all good but matches don't do it for me. When you are training all week, you've got something to look forward to and that is what is on offer now.

"I found about their interest two or three weeks ago and as soon as I heard, I was interested. I said to my agent 'get talking to them.' I want to go there.

"There were a few other teams linked but I didn't take any real notice. I was just focusing on the Birmingham contact and that was it. The negotiations went smoothly, I passed the medical, and was happy to sign."

With his predecessor having been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season, never mind scooping Blues Player of the Year award, Foster is well aware he has big gloves to fill.

"Joe did fantastic last season," he added. "He is a fantastic keeper. To be honest, I never expected anything other than that from Joe.

"I've got to know him from the England squad. I get on quite well with Joe, he is a top lad and a very good keeper as well.

"I've got to follow on from that. It is fairly big gloves to fill but I am confident I can do it. I need to emulate Joe and possibly do even better which I think personally I am looking forward to doing.

"It is a new chapter in my life and career a d hopefully when I look back I will say 'that was the turning point in my career' of kicking on and doing something in the game.

"Up to now I've won the Carling Cup and been at Manchester United five years but haven't really done too much in the game."

While Hart heads for South Africa, Foster is facing up to a summer on the sun lounger after his omission from Capello's squad.

By his own admission, he can have no arguments with the decision – and it won't stop him cheering for his country this summer.

"It (the lack of football) is what's cost me at the end of the day," he added. "I am not on the plane to South Africa and I've got no worries about that.

"I can't argue with the manager's decision. I've played one game in seven months.

"I'll get behind the country now like the rest of the fans now and hope we do really well in the tournament.

"My aim now really is the Euros in a couple of years. I've got confidence in my ability and I'd like to think I will be there.

"It is a big disappointment not being involved in the World Cup. I just wish the lads a lot of luck for the tournament."

Nor does he feel any bitterness towards the evergreen Edwin Van der Sar, now 39, for keeping him out of the United team.

"To be fair to Edwin he can go on for another two or three years," he added. "He is that fit.

"The main concern was that when Edwin signed his new deal, you knew he was going to be No. 1 next season.

"He could go on for another few years after that as well. He is a fantastic keeper. You can't but learn from him.

"You watch on a Saturday and he is Mr Cool, he is so calm, and the experience he brings with him is immense. There are not many people playing with that much experience.

"He is a nice guy as well, he is someone who will sit down with you and help you and talk you through things."

Speaking of father figures, Foster is looking forward to his return to his native West Midlands to be closer to his family.

"I'm from Leamington which is not a million miles away and when you move to a new club it is something that does come into it," he added. "My parents still live there so it's a bit of a homecoming."