A teenage goalkeeper from Chester has seen his title-winning exploits with Everton’s under 18 squad rewarded after penning a two-year professional contract with the Premier League side.
Russell Griffiths, 18, captained the young Toffees side to glory in the U18 Barclays Premier League last season and was called up to be part of the first-team squad on their pre-season trip to Austria, where he was able to learn from the likes of the USA’s World Cup hero Tim Howard and Joel Robles.
Russell’s father Mark says his son is now focusing on establishing himself in the Everton reserve side next season and catching the eye of Toffees boss and ex-Chester City midfielder Roberto Martinez at Goodison Park.
“Russell had a great season with Everton last year and really impressed Kevin Sheedy and Duncan Ferguson (Everton U18 coaches),” said Mark.
“Goalkeepers don’t always get the recognition that they deserve, so it’s nice that Russell has been rewarded for his hard work and his performances.
“It represents a major step forward in his career.”
Russell began his career between the sticks as a junior with AFC Waverton and was part of the Centre of Excellence at Chester City before the club folded in 2010.
He also represented Cheshire at county level.
He was given a call-up to the senior squad’s pre-season training camp in Bad Erlach, Austria, where he has been benefiting by working with established professionals such as Howard.
“It’s been a whirlwind past couple of months,” said Mark. “He had just come back from being away with the U18 side when he had the call to ask him to join the first team out in Austria.
“He’s been training with the first team out there and been able to work with Tim Howard and Joel Robles, which has been fantastic for him,” added Mark.
“The World Cup showed how important goalkeepers can be, and Tim Howard was one of the keepers to have a great tournament.
“Russell is a very modern goalkeeper. Kevin Sheedy and Duncan (Ferguson) were both keen for the attack to begin with the goalkeeper and Russell is very good with the ball at his feet and his distribution is good.
“Being able to learn and work with Tim and Joel on a one-to-one basis and to be around the first team will be massive for his development.”
After former Toffees goalkeeping coach Chris Woods followed David Moyes to Manchester United for an ill-fated spell last summer, Russell had been under the tutelage of Spaniard Iñaki Bergara – a former goalkeeper coach at Athletic Bilbao – who worked under Javier Clemente and followed Martinez from Swansea, to Wigan and now to Goodison Park.
Mark added: “Russell looks up to the likes of Manuel Neuer and how he plays the game.
“The new coach adopts the European approach to how goalkeepers should play and not simply being your traditional English goalkeeper.
“Everything is working out great for Russell at the moment and he just wants to keep learning and improving and see how far it takes him.”