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Everton's Ben Godfrey took inspiration from Leeds United coach after failed trial
Everton defender Ben Godfrey used a coach’s words during a failed trial at current relegation rivals Leeds United as his inspiration to succeed on the pitch.
The 24-year-old had trials with several sides in Yorkshire following his release from Middlesbrough, eventually returning to boyhood club York City and breaking into the first team in 2016.
He has since gone on to establish himself as a Premier League regular and England international, and attributes a lot of his success down to the mindset one coach at Elland Road instilled when he departed as a youngster.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Godfrey said: “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.”
One that got away
With all the difficulties Leeds have had to endure this season, having someone in the dressing room with determination and tenacity is something that would be of great benefit in the current circumstances.
They thankfully possess that already through figures such as Stuart Dallas and skipper Liam Cooper, but it always stings to see players succeed elsewhere, particularly when they were let go without any meaningful protestations.
It’s a certain irony in that a defender Leeds once deemed not good enough could now play a key role in keeping Everton up at the Whites’ expense, although 10 points from the last 12 available has given the club some much-needed breathing space.
Of course hindsight is a wonderful thing and Leeds weren’t to know at the time the remarkable trajectory of Godfrey’s career, but the defender may yet play a key role in dictating the club’s Premier League status.
In other Leeds United news, this Premier League winner was blown away by what he saw at Leeds United.