England goalkeeper Ben Foster was the star of the show as a former Hornets player launched a new business venture in Watford.

The 6ft 4in stopper was invited by former Watford FC keeper Richard Lee to attend the official launch of GK Icon, a new online goalkeeping community, last Wednesday.

Thirty goalkeepers from around Watford, aged between six and 30, were put through their paces during a special two-hour coaching session at the Watford Powerleague venue at Queens' School, in Aldenham Road, Bushey.

Ben cast an eye over the group and signed autographs for young fans.

Richard, who has recently moved to Brentford FC, said: "The kids really enjoyed it and it went very well.

"It’s an opportunity to give something back as well as create something that will improve young goalkeepers across the country."

Foster, who joined Premier League side Birmingham City FC from Manchester United over the summer, is one of a number of high profile consultants for GK Icon, which also includes Joe Hart and current Watford keeper and England Under-21 international Scott Loach.

Richard added: "I know Ben well from his time at Watford and he’s put his name to it, as has Joe Hart, so we've got a couple of really good English goalkeepers backing the project."

GK Icon offers online drills and videos as well as multi-disciplined courses at 22 venues across the UK, all of which are designed to produce high quality goalkeepers.

Richard, who said that his interest in business came from his father, said: "It was probably about 18 months ago when I first started the project. I was running a course at Watford, there was about 30 to 32 kids on it and it was really good.

"Initially GK Icon was just a single goalkeeping course but we now have plenty of courses and are linked up with psychologists, nutiritonists and even a kicking coach, Dave Aldred, who was Johnny Wilkinson’s kicking coach at the World Cup."

He added: "The course will be about working hard but in an enjoyable way. I know myself that I always train best and play best when I’m enjoying myself and it will be the same for kids on our courses.

"The courses are designed in a way that ensure that children are getting real top-level experience. We are feeding off what Ben’s said, and Joe (Hart) and Scott Loach, and trying to integrate what everyone says about what it takes to be a great goalkeeper."