Some players don’t have the luxury to break into the first team and become stars at the same club their football odyssey began. Such was the path of 24-year-old Everton defender Ben Godfrey.Although he’s now an England international and a regular at a Premier League club, there was a time when there was a huge question mark hanging over his career in the sport. But he found the strengthThis lad of Jamaican descent was born in York, where he started his football journey. Soon enough, then-13-year-old Godfrey was picked up by Middlesbrough’s youth team. But that didn’t quite work out and he was left without a club at a tender age.”It felt a little bit like the dream was over. For them to say no was a massive confidence-breaker, really. It looked like the end of the journey.”Everton star Tyler Onyango undergoes surgeryA couple of unsuccessful trials followed – at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United. As Godfrey tells Sky Sports, a comment from a Leeds coach made him want to prove everyone wrong and make it in the game.”The moment that stands out massively is after that Leeds United trial. The coach told me they were not going to offer me anything but to go and prove him wrong. That stuck with me. I was desperate then. I could not wait to go and prove them wrong.”York City welcomed their talented son with open arms and gave him a chance in the youth team – and eventually made him a first-teamer in 2015 at the age of just 17. After a few disappointments – Ben was on the up again, quickly drawing interest from Norwich City and making a $3.25 million move to Carrow Road in 2016.Friday, 17.00: (1.78) Sunderland (3.50) Shrewsbury (4.90)He recalls a recent training-ground conversation with Everton youngsters Ellis Simms and Tyler Onyango. Hopefully, Onyango learn a few things about how to break into the first team. It’s by plying your trade on loan at a lower-division team. Godfrey played 51 games for League One club Shrewsbury Town in the 2017/18 season.”They were asking me about my experiences. There comes a time when you need to play. Make those mistakes, and learn from them. It will make you better. The season with Shrewsbury was massive. I absolutely loved it. It was such an important stepping stone. I enjoyed being chucked in at the deep end. Luckily enough I had the physical attributes to handle it. It just helped me grow as a player and as a person.”Ben Godfrey made more clearances against Man Utd (13) than any other player on the pitch.It’s the most by an Everton player in a single Premier League game this season. 🧲 pic.twitter.com/5fNxIbH0aH— Squawka (@Squawka) April 9, 2022 Being cast away is never easy to get over, but Godfrey is a living proof that self-belief and the confidence from the people around you can make a world of difference for a young player.”I had to really believe in myself and never forget to put in those extra hours of hard work. I had to have that confidence that I would always make it to where I wanted to be. I am so grateful for the ups and the downs because they have got me to where I am today. I would not change any of it for the world.”When asked about which part of his game he’s aiming to improve, Ben Godfrey gives a response that say a lot about his personality. “Everything.”
