Nick Pope was rejected at 16 and playing for York at 22 but the Burnley goalkeeper has become this season's Premier League fairytale story

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Burnley manager Sean Dyche signed Nick Pope after the goalkeeper had just been relegated from The Championship with Charlton Athletic.

It doesn't sound much of an audition for joining a Premier League club but then again Dyche enlisted Tom Heaton after he'd gone down with Bristol City, and now he's pushing for a World Cup place.

Roy Keane signed for Manchester United after relegation with Nottingham Forest and more recently Idrissa Gueye has done well for Everton, who swooped after he'd finished bottom at Aston Villa.

Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope has proved a revelation in the Premier League this season

The Burnley man has conceded only seven times in 10 Premier League games for Burnley

Continuing to fight and play well in a struggling side denotes the kind of mentality Dyche, and other managers, like.

The gamble on Pope has undoubtedly worked. Originally drafted in to be third-choice behind Heaton and veteran Paul Robinson, Pope has seized his opportunity this season after Heaton unfortunately discolated his shoulder.

The 25-year-old has conceded only seven goals in 10 appearances – and three of those were against Manchester City who score at least three against everybody – and from being a virtual unknown, he's been nominated as the Premier League's player of the month for October; his five rivals including Kevin De Bruyne, Wilfried Zaha and Leroy Sane.

Pope's natural confident personality has been essential. So has his enthusiasm and athleticism, in his second game at Anfield the adrenalin caused him to go for a shot that was travelling five yards wide. He still managed to save it.

Pope has seized his opportunity after No 1 Tom Heaton dislocated his shoulder

Sean Dyche promised Pope he would develop last year and has been rewarded

'I told him last year he was developing and moving forward' said Dyche. 'This year he has got a chance and he was ready for it. This Premier League is tough but he's understanding and absorbing it.'

Pope began with a clean sheet after being forced into action against Crystal Palace in September when Heaton withdrew. Since then he's saved 87% of the shots he's faced – the best ratio in the Premier League.

Stand-out results have included a 1-0 win at Everton and 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield. Last weekend they went to Southampton and won 1-0 with the goalkeeper making excellent saves to deny Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond.

The biggest compliment to Pope is that Heaton, who was in Gareth Southgate's England squad before his injury, has hardly been missed with Burnley in seventh place level on points with Arsenal and Liverpool.

Pope was playing for York at the age of 22 and was relegated with Charlton

Pope applauds the away fans after his late saves helped Burnley beat Southampton 1-0

I think Nick has been fantastic,' said Clarets defender Matt Lowton. 'We've seen first hand how good he is in training. His shot-stopping is phenomenal and he’s hard to beat in the small-sided games and shooting practise.

'We knew he had the qualities, it was just about coming in and making sure that he wasn’t too nervous. He’s been A1 since he came in and he’s kept us in games just as Tom did before.'

It's a real feelgood story. Pope was rejected by his first club Ipswich Town at 16 and ended up playing part-time for Bury Town whilst studying at college.

Even when Charlton Athletic spotted his potential and gave him a professional contract, he was a slow burner, going on loan in the lower leagues at Cambridge, Aldershot, York and Bury before returning to get a first-team place at The Valley. 

When he turned 22, he was playing in League Two for York City.

Pope stands at 6ft 2ins and his good, natural spring makes his a good shape for a modern No 1

6ft 2ins with a good natural spring, Pope is a good shape for a modern-day goalkeeper. 

He's waited all his career for a chance like this in the Premier League and he's going to enjoy every second, while careful to share the praise with Burnley's well-oiled defensive unit.

'You dream of playing – you don't dream of sitting on the bench,' he remarks. 'The defence has been excellent for me since I came into the team, I can’t say enough about how good they’ve been.

'We defend the goal with our bodies on the line, what more can I ask for?

'As a goalkeeper we work for clean sheets so I'm happy with those.'