MX23RW : Saturday, July 6 08:58:46| >> :60:1903:1903:

Five things to know about England's Ben Godfrey

Five things to know about England's Ben Godfrey
© Reuters
Five things to know about the new England man.

Ben Godfrey has received his first senior England call-up in Gareth Southgate's provisional squad for this summer's European Championship.

The 23-year-old defender has been rewarded for a fine first season with Everton.

Here, the PA news agency gets to know Godfrey.

Schoolboy honours

Born in York, Godfrey showed his talents early by captaining the York and District Schoolboys under-13 team to victory in a major national competition. It was the first time a team from York had won an English Schools' Football Association competition. Godfrey started his career in the Minstermen's youth system. He moved to Middlesbrough and had trials with Leeds before returning to his hometown club, making his first-team debut aged 17.

Sporting heritage

Godfrey has sporting genes in the shape of father Alex, who was a professional rugby league player. He started with York Wasps and, following the club's demise,  scored the first try for new outfit York City Knights. Godfrey also played for Dewsbury and Hull KR.

Big breakthrough

Ben Godfrey, left, enjoyed a successful loan spell at Shrewsbury
Ben Godfrey, left, enjoyed a successful loan spell at Shrewsbury (Nigel French/PA)

Godfrey had only made five starts for York in League Two when Norwich signed him on his 18th birthday, initially for the academy team. He had a successful season on loan at Shrewsbury in 2017-18 and forced his way into the Norwich side the following season, playing a key role in promotion to the Premier League.

Everton move

Despite Norwich being relegated straight back to the Championship, Godfrey attracted attention and he joined Everton last October, with the move providing York with a financial lifeline via a sell-on clause. He made his debut later the same month in the Merseyside derby and has excelled ever since despite having to play in various different positions. Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "He was a fantastic signing in the summer."

Superstitions

Godfrey has a superstition of being the fourth player to run out onto the pitch
Godfrey has a superstition of being the fourth player to run out onto the pitch (Catherine Ivill/PA)

Godfrey, who has captained England at under-21 level, has a number of pre-match superstitions. The 23-year-old always leaves a water bottle in a specific place as he prepares for a game while he insists on being the fourth player to run out onto the pitch.

ID:449036: cacheID:449036:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:14473:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Emi Buendia celebrates scoring for Norwich City on December 12, 2020
Read Next:
Aston Villa 'join Arsenal in hunt for Emiliano Buendia'
>
Read more about Ben Godfrey Football
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!