Ambitious Shrewsbury Town midfielder Ben Godfrey aiming for the top

The talented Town midfield man quickly earned the admiration of Shrewsbury fans after joining on loan from Norwich until January.

It is the 19-year-old’s first loan move away from Carrow Road – where he links up with Canary club-mates Carlton Morris and Ebou Adams – after Norwich snatched Godfrey from York City as he turned 18.

It had been a rocky road for York-born Godfrey after he had missed out on a scholarship at Middlesbrough as a 15-year-old.

Several trials proved unsuccessful, but – looking back – Godfrey is certain he made the right decision in returning to York.

“They (Middlesbrough) released me and I went on trial elsewhere,” revealed the midfielder.

“You have ups and downs in football but it’s important that you bounce back.

“I’m thankful for the people around me, my dad supported me.

“I went on trial a few places but ended up back at York and the rest is history – it’s been only upwards since then. It was really upsetting as a young lad and a lot to take in.

“You felt as though you weren’t good enough and your dreams were being crushed.

“People that make it to the top don’t have an easy ride. Nobody has an easy ride in this game and I’m really thankful for my family to keep me going.

“It turns out going back to York was the right choice.”

Godfrey is likely to be back as part of Town’s central midfield for the visit of Scunthorpe United tomorrow.

The Iron have conceded just three times in 10 league games and have an energetic midfield of their own.

Eight games into his impressive loan spell at Shrewsbury, Godfrey is not short of admirers.

The confident and well-spoken teenager, who came from the bench to fill in at right-back at Doncaster on Tuesday, sees himself on a pathway to the top – even if it was not a straight path.

He added: “I would be wrong to say my future is not in the Premier League.

“I back myself to make it to the highest level possible.

“A few of the lads have mentioned, if you don’t have that sort of mentality then you’re not going to make it in the game.

“You need to have your eyes set on the top and that’s what I’m going to do, to work hard and try and get in the Premier League – everyone’s dream and it should be everyone’s aim.”

Unbeaten and four points clear at the top of the third tier having started all but one of the games since his arrival, he scarcely thinks things could have gone much better.

“You see a lot of young players go out on loan and they don’t feature that much,” he said.

“Playing regularly and being top of the table, I can’t ask for any more. I’ve always said if there was a chance to go out on loan then I would choose this club and this manager.

“Because of the way he’s asked for me so many times, when you’re wanted at a football club it’s important you take that.

“In football sometimes you can be unwanted and it’s not very nice.

“When he was interested in signing me it was on my mind straight away.”