‘I was desperate’: £25m Everton player admits wanting to prove Leeds United wrong after snub

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Everton defender Ben Godfrey has opened up on being snubbed by Leeds United as a kid – and he has been trying to prove them wrong.

Godfrey was born in York just like former Leeds star Lewis Cook – but they had very differing experiences at Elland Road.

Whilst Cook excelled in the Leeds first team, Godfrey was turned away by Leeds at a young age.

Godfrey tried to earn deals at Barnsley, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday but all of them said no.

Aside from a brief stint with Middlesbrough, York City were the only club willing to take a chance on Godfrey.

Their faith was repaid as Godfrey became a huge talent, eventually earning a big move to Norwich City in 2016.

Godfrey went on to play 78 games for Norwich, winning promotion from the Championship in 2019 and then showing potential in the Premier League.

An England international with two caps to his name, Godfrey became a £25million player as Everton swooped to sign him in 2020.

To put it simply, Godfrey has come a long, long way and achieved so much for a player turned away by many clubs as a kid.

Godfrey is going through a tough season with Everton battling against relegation, but his story is still one of huge success.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Godfrey has now looked back on his start in football and his failure to land a deal with Leeds.

Godfrey noted that being turned away by Barnsley, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday truly felt like the end of his football journey, breaking his confidence.

Godfrey also noted that one Leeds coach told him to go out and prove them wrong for letting him go without a contract.

That message stuck with Godfrey and he has been desperate to prove Leeds wrong ever since – and you have to feel that Jesse Marsch would take a defender like Godfrey now.

“It felt a little bit like the dream was over,” said Godfrey. “For them to say no was a massive confidence-breaker, really,” he adds. It looked like the end of the journey.”

“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,” he added.