Fost and foremost

Seanna Foster expects a battle for his place in the Cliftonville team, but insists he’s up for the challenge.

Having agreed pre-contract terms in January, the opening of the Transfer Window saw the 22-year-old formally complete his move to the Reds from Warrenpoint Town and he’s already under no illusions about the tasks he will face on a weekly basis at Solitude.

“With the work that Paddy McLaughlin has put into the team and the way they’re playing, it’s going to be a hard, hard ask for me to start developing very quick but it’s something I’ve got to look forward to,” says the former Linfield and Carrick Rangers full-back.

“It’s big, big step-up. Qualifying for Europe is something I haven’t been used to and something I’m looking forward to getting into.”

Foster, who also turned out for Sheffield Wednesday Under 18s earlier in his career, made an unexpected Cliftonville appearance when he was called upon for Ryan Catney’s Testimonial last month and, as well as helping him get to know his new team-mates, was an experience he was grateful for after having his season ended by a red card back in mid-April.

“Being out there after seven weeks out and playing 90 minutes was great,” he adds.

“Obviously I know a lot of the lads through playing with them and a couple of lads that I work with as well, so it was easy breaking in.

“I was meant to play for the opposition but I got called in because we didn’t have a right-back. It felt great to be playing again.”