- Leicester City’s Under-18s continue their FA Youth Cup campaign on Thursday evening
- The young Foxes will face Manchester United in a 7pm kick-off at Old Trafford
- Harvey Godsmark-Ford says there is a confidence within the squad after recent results
- They are all relishing the prospect of playing in the quarter-final of the competition
Thursday’s tie, a 7pm kick-off in Manchester on the same evening Leicester's first team run out in the UEFA Europa Conference League at Randers FC, will see the young Foxes take to the Old Trafford pitch for what is expected to be a memorable occasion for everyone involved.
Godsmark-Ford, who has played every minute of City’s Youth Cup campaign to date, helping record impressive wins over Aston Villa, Crewe Alexandra and AFC Bournemouth, believes the experiences of playing in big stadiums will stand the team in good stead for what is to come this week.
He told LCFC.com: “The Villa Park one was massive. They are current holders of the FA Youth Cup, so I think that was a big occasion for us to go and play at a big stadium like that and do so well there as well. It’s definitely a confidence-booster to take into the United game.
“I think it’s a big achievement to get to where we have done this season. Everyone has done well, especially the lads who have played in the league this season, so we all deserve to get something like this and play at a big place like Old Trafford. I’m looking forward to taking it on.”
That league form is part of an unbeaten streak stretched to 13 games by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in U18 Premier League South on Saturday. Leicester remain in the hunt for silverware across three competitions and the defender says there is a determination to continue their cup journey.
City’s youngsters reached another semi-final this month by securing a spot in the last four of the U18 Premier League Cup, enhancing the growing belief within the group that anything is possible.
“Everyone in the team is good enough to get there,” the 18-year-old continued. “I think mentally as well, I don’t think it’s just being good enough as a footballer, everyone’s got the right team spirit this year, it seems to be clicking really well.
“Hopefully we can carry that on until the end of the season and get the reward that we all want. I think just carrying on the momentum and sticking to the same tactics that the coaches bring to us in different games, hopefully it’ll go well.
“There’s a couple of lads that have come down from the Development Squad as well, which is always a bonus. We’ve got some very talented lads in this side, so I imagine it’s always hard for the gaffer to pick the side.”
The centre-back has skippered the Under-18s on numerous occasions this season and now dreams of following in the footsteps of previous Leicester City captains by lifting a trophy.
He is also aiming to emulate some of his team-mates who have made the step up to become established players at Under-23 level, with some even making their first team debuts during 2021/22.
“I love captaining the side,” Godsmark-Ford added. “I think it’s a very important role in the team. Everyone needs to have a leader in the squad, as you’ve seen with Wes Morgan when Leicester won the league. It’s really important to have that and I enjoy having that role.
“It seems to be ticking along very well this year. It’s getting better and it just seems to be reflecting across the two age groups well.
“Every player that goes up and does well, it’s just more motivation for us lads to go and do it ourselves. There’s a real positive feeling around the team when someone does well.”
All times GMT.