Foster graduated through Mansfield's youth team, and signed a professional contract in July 1970, after first completing his apprenticeship as a mining electrician.
He made his first-team debut for the Stags shortly before his 19th birthday, on 4 September 1971 against Plymouth Argyle.
However, Foster broke his leg against Portsmouth on the day promotion was confirmed, causing him to miss most of the club's Division Two campaign the following season.
[1] In total, Foster played 343 matches for Mansfield in all competitions, without ever scoring a single goal for the club.
This biographical article related to association football in England, about a defender born in the 1950s, is a stub.