REJECTED AGED 15 THE CUP IS GODFREY’S PAYBACK TIME

EVERTON defender Ben Godfrey has some unfinished business with Sheffield Wednesday.

The York-born England Under-21 international was heartbroken when a schoolboy trial at Hillsborough ended with him being told he wasn’t good enough to make the grade.

He picked up the pieces by signing for his hometown club – and arrived in the Premier League by helping Norwich win promotion from the Championship before a £20million move to Goodison last summer kept him in the top-flight when the Canaries were relegated.

Godfrey will have nothing to prove when Wednesday arrive at Goodison in the FA Cup tonight – but he recalled: “I must have been about 14 or 15 and it felt like I was on trial with them for ages.

“It felt like I went to about 37 clubs on trial over a couple of years, but of all the places I went to, I thought that was one of the most successful ones.

“I played centre midfield and centre-back there and I remember speaking to my dad after some sessions and saying, ‘I did well there, I’ve trained well’.

“But at the end I was told I wasn’t any better than the ones they already had at my age, so I was let go.

“It was a big disappointment.

“I was told ‘no’ by a few other clubs as well, but at Wednesday I thought I’d done well.

“It wasn’t meant to be in the end – and to be honest I wouldn’t change that now. I’m happy with my journey.”

Godfrey was aware when he signed for Everton that he was joining a club with a storied history and future ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League under gaffer Carlo Ancelotti.

But it is 26 years since the Toffees last had a trophy to parade on

Merseyside after beating Manchester United to win the FA Cup.

And even at a tender age, Godfrey knows how precious medals are.

He said: “Champions League football, for any player or any club, is the pinnacle of the game.

“But when you retire – and this might sound strange coming from a 23-year-old – the only thing you have got to take away with you are your medals.

“That’s the message I’ve always had from coaches and former players.

“Medals are something that can’t be taken away from you.

“Playing in the Champions League or winning medals? Both are very special for very different reasons.”

EVERTON want £10million for full-back Jonjoe Kenny – a figure which is putting Burnley off.

Turf Moor boss Sean Dyche is keen on the 23-year-old (left), who has been used sparingly despite Seamus Coleman being out for a chunk of the season.

But even with the recent takeover by ALK Capital Dyche has a budget to work with and Everton’s asking price for Kenny would blow too much of it.

MEDAL HUNT Godfrey wants to win