Nick Pope has revealed he was on the verge of giving up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

The goalkeeper, who this week completed a move to Premier League side Burnley, faced a difficult decision after being released by Ipswich Town as a teenager.

Having not been offered a scholarship by the Tractor Boys, Pope turned his attentions to education as his hopes of landing a professional contract faded.

While playing for non-league side Bury Town, Pope was accepted onto a University course.

It was at this point that he was invited for a trial at Charlton – Pope, looking back, admits it felt like his “last shot” to win a deal at a Football League club.

He told News Shopper: “I was in college looking to go to University after being released by Ipswich. At that point professional football looked a long, long way away to be honest.

“I wasn’t offered a scholarship at Ipswich and not many players make it after that kind of setback.

“I was then accepted on to a University course – I was basically all set to go and then Charlton got in touch and said ‘why don’t you come down for a trial’.

“That was basically a last shot for me.”

Pope, now 24, added: “I didn’t even get my hopes up but then the trial went well and I heard they wanted me. The club got in touch again and I won a deal.

“That was just unbelievable, I was absolutely buzzing.”

Even after winning a deal with the Addicks, Pope still faced an uphill battle to break into the first-team.

He was first loaned out to Harrow Borough before having spells at Welling United, Cambridge United and York City.

Midway through the 2014/15 season Charlton sent the stopper to Bury, where Pope played 22 games and helped the club bag automatic promotion by finishing third in League Two.

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After his rapid rise in Charlton colours during the 2015/16 campaign, Championship champions Burnley came knocking shortly after the end of the season.

Pope admits it has always been his dream to play in the top-flight of English football.

He said: “Of course, when you play football the Premier League is the pinnacle and where you ultimately want to get to.

“The chance to be involved with a Premier League team was just unreal. I have come a long way and believe this is the right club for me going forward.

“At one stage my aim was simply to play in the Football League. Now it is to play in the Premier League.”

With Burnley’s Premier League campaign commencing on August 13 after several more pre-season friendlies, Pope insists he has not set himself any targets at his new club.

He added: “It’s really tough to set targets at this stage I think. But I want to keep developing and work on some areas which I need to improve on.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

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