Ben Godfrey admits there is a huge sense of pride in the Everton dressing room after the Club secured Premier League safety with three games to go - but insists the group will not be taking their foot off the gas despite achieving that target. 

In a phenomenal six days at Goodison Park, Everton dispatched Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and then Brentford on Saturday evening to collect nine valuable points and seal their top-flight status for a 71st consecutive campaign. 

That feat was achieved despite a number of turbulent external factors impacting Sean Dyche’s men, not least an eight-point deduction handed down by the Premier League for two breaches of Profit & Sustainability rules (PSR). 

For Godfrey, those setbacks only enhance the pride of being able to achieve the target with games to spare.

“The lads are buzzing because it has been a difficult season at times,” he explained to evertontv. “I think everyone is so proud to be a part of this group. We showed so much strength and character, - that is every single person at this club - on numerous occasions throughout the season, and I am so proud to be a part of it. 

“There have been plenty of difficult times, but we have stuck together, it has never affected our belief and I think against all odds we have come together and overcome it - I am really proud of the boys. 

“This club is a special place, for the fans, it means so much to them, and it (securing top-flight status) is a great feeling. 

“With the first points deduction, we went on a little run of four wins in a row. We had another setback and then put a few more wins together. That shows when we had those setbacks, we all pulled together and ground out good results.”

The off-the-field obstacles have been compounded by Godfrey's own personal battle to secure regular minutes in Everton’s starting XI this season. 

Prior to his start in the 0-0 draw at Fulham at the end of January, Godfrey had made just two Premier League appearances all season for the Toffees. Yet, through that tough time, the 26-year-old maintained a resilient mindset and kept himself physically in position to be ready when called upon.

That has happened across these past three crucial months, and he has featured in 12 of Everton's most recent 14 league matches, taking up different positions across the Blues’ backline. 

“I have enjoyed it,” said Godfrey reflecting on his increased game time. “Listen, any position I go out on the pitch, I will give 110 per cent. When I am asked about the positions, it doesn’t matter to me, I will just try my best to help the team. I have enjoyed every second of it.”

Looking ahead, Godfrey added: “There are still three Premier League games to go and an opportunity to maybe climb the table. If we can make the table look a little better come the end of the season then we will do that. 

“Obviously, the goal of safety is done, but there are games to be won and we are not going to let that opportunity up."