Nick Pope: The journey from Grassroots football to Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup Squad
Written by William Jack Jeffries on 8th December 2022
At the age of 16, Nick Pope felt his football dream was over after Ipswich Town – his boyhood club – released him.
Pope was a season ticket holder for the Tractor Boys, and it was his dream to represent the team he supported since he was a young boy.
After his release, Pope studied a Business Marketing course at West Suffolk College while also working part-time as a milkman.
The college had links with non-league club Bury Town, where he resumed his career after an injury to the Rams’ first team goalkeeper and Pope seized his opportunity – starting a dramatic rise to the top.
“Pope joined the club from a young age and struggled to get in the team due to the form of the first team goalkeeper,” explained Bury Town chairman Russell Ward.
“His family have supported him on his journey to the top, which was crucial for his long-term development.
“I’m a very proud chairman to see Pope establishing himself as Newcastle United’s number one goalkeeper.”
And from there Pope kicked on – while playing away from home at Billericay Town, a Charlton scout was at the match and noticed Pope’s potential which led to him signing for the Addicks.
After several loan moves, Pope established himself in the Charlton first team and impressed Premier League side Burnley who signed him in 2016.
Pope impressed over a few seasons for the clarets and is now the number one goalkeeper at Newcastle United after signing in the summer transfer window.
