Pope Pulls On The England Shirt To Make National League Clubs Proud

After the quite unforgettable season that the 26-year-old has had, Pope got the call just a couple of weeks ago to say that he would be part of Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for Russia 2018.

He had made 35 appearances for the Clarets and kept 11 clean sheets, which has led to his call up to Gareth Southgate’s side.

Starting at Bury Town in 2008, Pope has made it to the top level in a way that nobody would have expected. The goalkeeper left his first club in 2011, after coming through the ranks at Ipswich Town.

As a supporter as a child, Pope had a season ticket along with his father and older brother, so to be released at youth level, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow for him, especially given his love for The Blues.

To do what the Burnley man has done since through definitely deserves a lot of praise and credit. The patience that he has shown throughout the long road has made him a role model for young footballers who perhaps might not succeed at the first attempt.

Before signing for Charlton Athletic. Cambridge-born, Pope spent time out on loan at a number of non-league clubs including Harrow Borough and Welling United whilst under contract at the Adddicks.

It is quite notable, the fact that Pope didn’t manage ten appearances at each club in non-league when he was loaned out, yet five years later he is about to board a plane to a World Cup to represent England.

Of course, this could be completely different story should the current England manager Southgate not have been appointed. He seems to have given the players who were not in the squad a chance which has not really been practiced for many years.

After several years at the Valley, or not as the case proved, Pope then signed for at the time, newly promoted Burnley FC for an undisclosed fee in 2016, and was understudy to current England understudy himself, Tom Heaton.

Living as an understudy to a quite brilliant goalkeeper as Heaton is, would probably be a massive learning curve but at the same time the chance of actually getting game time would be extremely low.

As Pope’s situation proved, he had to be ready to be called on by Sean Dyche when Heaton unfortunately got injured, a massive chance for the man in his peak to show Turf Moor exactly what he is made of!

Pope, speaking to Sky Sports News, believes that it is healthy to have competition in the England camp, and states that it helps him.

Pope made his England debut off the substitutes bench last night as England beat Costa Rica 2-0, at Elland Road.

The 27-year old felt that it was a privilege to make his England debut, and is very happy to be part of the squad.

“That [goalkeeper rivalry] helps push us all to be better and that's the way it should be. That's what's best for the England national team and us as individuals.

"It's great to have that rivalry between us and the competition that there is." Pope said

“I was immensely proud and privileged to make my England debut and be part of this England group.”

For a goalkeeper who has never played higher than League One football, it is a big ask to then play against Chelsea in the Premier League.

It is fair to say that Pope grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has been a big part of the Clarets achievement of playing Europa League football in the next campaign.

Not only, did the 27-year old take Heaton’s Burnley number one spot off him but he has also prevented the England international in being selected in the initial 23-man squad for Russia, despite Heaton being named on the standby list.

He will head out with the rest of the squad on Tuesday, to continue his incredible journey that he has had with club and country this season.