Andrew Warshaw speaks to Enfield Town FC goalkeeper Rhys Forster after he picked up an early-season award

Rhys Forster in action for Enfield Town (credit Phil Davison)

It’s understandable that Enfield Town fans weren’t too sure what to expect when Rhys Forster took over in goal this season. Former keeper Nathan McDonald had carved out something of a legendary status having been at the club for a total of seven years, covering two spells, before moving on this summer.

Yet, within just a few weeks of the new campaign, Rhys has not only won over the supporters but picked up the very first individual award of his career. Winning the Pitching In Golden Gloves Award – presented monthly to the best keeper in each of the Isthmian League divisions – is testament to a player who was suddenly surplus to requirements at Slough Town in National League South towards the back end of last season, but who more than proved his worth by dropping down three levels with Ascot Town.

Rhys picked up the prestigious Golden Gloves Award for August after conceding just two goals in his first five league games during the month.

While helping Ascot go on to lift the FA Vase at Wembley – the annual football competition for teams playing in steps five and six of the non-league system – is the highlight of his career so far, being recognised as one of best goalkeepers in the Isthmian League Premier division comes a close second.

“I can’t take all the credit because the boys in front of me have been immense in terms of protecting me,” says Rhys, “but I’m especially proud to receive the award with a new club so early on in the season.

“Even though it represented just a month’s worth of work, it helped me set targets.”

Such as? “I want the Golden Gloves award at the end of the season. Our goalkeeping unit at Enfield want 20 clean sheets in all competitions. If we get ten by Christmas, we’re on course.”

Rhys admits he is sometimes something of a maverick between the sticks, but his commanding presence and intelligent distribution have already endeared him to the club’s fans and teammates alike.

“At all my previous clubs, I had four or five saves to make in every game. It’s very different coming into a club where I may not have a big save to make until the 89^th minute, but I’m learning about that and how important it is to keep my concentration.

“I knew everyone had praise for Nathan so they were pretty big boots to fill. If I’m honest, we are totally different keepers, but the main thing is that I love it here and the fact that the club is owned by the fans is such a big thing.

“You don’t play well unless you are enjoying yourself.”

Rhys admits there was a part of him that wanted to prove a point when Slough let him go. Still only 24, he is now continuing to thrive having been reunited with Enfield manager Gavin Macpherson and goalkeeping coach Dean Hurley, under whom he played at Met Police for two seasons.

Unlike most footballers, professional or non-league, it wasn’t until the age of 17 that he started playing football, first as a fullback for eight months, then in goal. Tennis was actually his main sport as a teenager and he even got to play on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon at an inter-club tournament as a teenager.

But once he chose football, there was no turning back, and Rhys is rapidly becoming a cult hero at his new club.

“When Gav called me about coming to Enfield it was hard to say no. I can’t speak highly enough about him or Deano. I need someone who knows my weaknesses and makes me work on them. Deano knows me inside out.”

In terms of how the season might pan out after a better-than-anticipated start to the 2023/24 campaign, he takes a cautious approach. “I’ve always hated predictions so I won’t say where I think we’ll end up but we all have the same target.”

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