At 93, Frank Foster is still a sprightly presence on the soccer field, brandishing red and yellow cards and running the field three times a week for his local association. With a 46-year officiating career and over 5,500 matches under his belt, Foster credits his remarkable longevity and stamina to a lifetime of healthy habits and a foundational diet.
Foster puts his remarkable fitness down to the strict wartime rations he was fed as a teenager, noting that it ensured he grew up eating "healthy food" rather than "sweets and cakes." Decades later, his game-day preparation is still fueled by wholesome nutrition, always starting with a morning bowl of oatmeal, cereal or marmalade on toast to give him the energy to last the full 90 minutes.
His sharp mind and authoritative presence on the field are just as strong as his physical endurance. A military veteran who aced his referee exam in 1980 with a 98% score, Foster relies on old-school discipline to keep matches under control. He believes modern elite officials are too "soft" and allow player antics to ruin the sport.
To maintain order and keep players from acting out, he lays down strict ground rules before kickoff. He has no patience for intimidation or theatrical diving. "Those who go down like they have been shot, well, I would just book them," he said.
Foster is equally uncompromising when squads try to crowd him on the field. "I wouldn't let them surround me at all," he said. "You need to stamp your authority and let them know who is in control." He also avoids the modern stress of video-reviewing plays, which he believes creates unnecessary "aggression and disappointment" over microscopic offside calls.
Foster says he "never thought" he’d still be doing this at age 93, but he makes the most of that gift. He keeps his kit freshly washed, making sure it is "neat and tidy" for when he gets on that field. Foster, of South Yorkshire, England, also scrubs his black Adidas boots after every game, making sure they are "nice and clean" for his next match.
