Nick Pope's journey from milkman to England international

Nick Pope says his first job was as a milkman in Cambridgeshire before impressing and playing in the Premier League. In England's latest squad, Pope is one of four goalkeepers and is in contention to start at the 2018 World Cup.

"When you get released by Ipswich at 16, you think playing for England is a long shot. But I was lucky enough to go to college and play with the people I met. I played 150 games in three years, which is impossible in an academy," Pope said.

“I studied marketing for two years and sports science for one year. I had a few part-time jobs, like delivering milk. It didn’t pay much. I was commuting by motorboat at 4am in Soham,” he continued.

After being dropped from the academy by Ipswich Town, Pope joined amateur club Bury Town. In 2011, he joined Charlton Athletic and then went through a series of amateur teams such as Harrow Borough, Welling United and Aldershot Town.

"I played in some cold, dark leagues. I was in the Bury Town reserves, in the Essex and Suffolk Border leagues. It was like the seventh tier," Pope said.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper joined Burnley from Charlton in 2016. Pope's luck changed in September 2017 when first-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton suffered an injury, allowing him to make his Premier League debut.

"I feel like I've put in a lot of work and proven myself at this level. I don't think it's just a moment in my career to be called up to the England squad. Obviously, I never thought this day would come but now it's happened. It's a huge boost for me and those close to me," Pope said.

Besides Pope, the remaining three goalkeepers called up to the England team to prepare for the two friendly matches against Italy and the Netherlands are Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and Joe Hart. None of them really stand out and the starting position of the "Three Lions" at the 2018 World Cup is still open for all four.

Butland started England's most recent World Cup qualifier against Lithuania. Hart has been a regular first-choice for the past six years but his place has been in doubt after being dropped by Manchester City. Pickford only made his England debut last November against Germany.

However, Pope has kept the most clean sheets and conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League of Gareth Southgate's three goalkeepers. After announcing his 27-man squad for the upcoming two friendlies, the England boss also declared that the No. 1 shirt is "up for grabs".

"Now that I'm here, I think my ambition is bigger than just getting into the squad. You have to keep the hunger. This is my first call-up but I feel I have to prove myself. Playing for England is my ultimate destination. Of course, throughout my career, I've always set different goals for myself," Pope said.