21 April 2024 , 01:00
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Ben Godfrey has had his fair share of setbacks in the last couple of years but in the dark moments inspiration is never far away.
The Everton defender suffered a broken leg and damaged ankle ligaments against Chelsea on the opening day of last season and it’s been a struggle to get back in the groove. The injury put the brakes on a Goodison career that was holding real promise after his £25 million move from Norwich in October 2020 and regular game time since has been difficult to come by.
But Godfrey is a fighter - and he has the perfect motivation in 18 month old son Reign. Naturally, he’s the apple of daddy’s eye. But he’s also a constant reminder to keep going, keep battling and survive.
Godfrey hopes to be back on the pitch in Sunday’s crucial dogfight relegation clash with Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park with injuries to captain Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson - out for the season - handing the versatile 26-year-old star an opportunity.
Says the defender: “There is never a good time to break your leg so it’s been tough, yes. For my family as well, who love watching me play and know how much it means to me to play. I am made to compete as all players are, so that being taken away through injury or team selection is always difficult.
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Ben Godfrey paid a visit to Zoe's Place in Liverpool (Everton FC via Getty Images)“But I am really fortunate in my family and friends. I have good people around me at home. They understand there are difficult periods and positive periods and I am really lucky with that.
“And I have got my little one, Reign, as well, which has always been nice over such a difficult period. It was a tough period but it’s definitely made me stronger in the long run. And Reign is an inspiration, yes.
“He helps me switch off. Having a baby changes a lot of things. I think it changes you as a person, instantly. There’s no love like it. It gives you an extra drive, 100 per cent. My motivation levels, I’m someone who is always motivated, anyway, I’ve never struggled with that.
Godfrey has been drawing inspiration from his family after injuries (Everton FC via Getty Images)“But it’s given me even more drive to do the right things and set the best examples possible. I love playing so when you are not in the team it is always hard. But at the same time I am part of a team, part of a unit. My job if I am not playing is to train hard, push the lads on, be positive to be around and ready to play my part when I am called upon.”
Godfrey was a late substitute in the 6-0 debacle at Chelsea but he insists the characters and determination in the Everton dressing room will see them bounce back hard against Forest.
Zoe's Place is hoping to raise £3.5m for a new-state-of-the-art home after the lease on their current premises expires in 2025 (Everton FC via Getty Images)“There are nights when things do go to plan. On nights like Monday, you can either dwell on it or you can move on and learn from it. The lads have learnt from it. It is what it is. It is pointless dwelling on it and now we have another opportunity against Forest to turn things around and get three points again.
“The belief in the squad is still so strong. And we have to believe in ourselves. We know we can bounce back from games that don’t go to plan and that is the case again now. There are two choices to make. You can either approach these last games and challenges with fear or you can take it on. And the feeling from my point of view in the dressing room is that everyone is ready to take it on.”
Ben Godfrey made an emotional visit to Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice on behalf of Everton to support their appeal to find a new home in the city.
The hospice, Liverpool’s only facility for babies and children aged 0-5 years with life-limiting and complex conditions, is hoping to raise £3.5m for a new-state-of-the-art home after the lease on their current premises expires in 2025.
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