'Connor was always asking questions. That's one big reason why he will succeed,' says the man who helped Goldson as a kid

It will tell of the sultry night by the Thames Estuary when he returned to action – and shared a chat with one of the driving forces behind his career.

Opening night of the Checkatrade Trophy at Roots Hall might not seem a particularly significant setting on which to play a first game after a knee injury. But it could not have been more appropriate for the big defender.

It gave him chance to open his season by chatting to the man who helped set him on course as a young professional and who spotted a blossoming talent, and football brain, among the group of hopeful teens in Shrewsbury Town’s youth set-up.

Former Shrewsbury skipper Graham Coughlan (picture by Shropshire Star)

Graham Coughlan was Shrewsbury skipper and keen to get some coaching experience as Goldson came through the ranks.

He was given the chance to work with the kids – and that was where Goldson first caught his eye as the player and leader Albion fans would probably recognise now.

Which is why the Southend trip was so significant. Coughlan is now Phil Brown’s assistant, allowing him chance to catch up with Goldson as he visited with Albion under-23s.

What Coughlan tells of those days in Shropshire offers valuable insight into the now 23-year-old who was voted Albion’s young player of last season after just five months in the first team.

Coughlan, also a centre-back, told The Argus: “I grew maybe a little bit towards Connor because he had a lot about him, both mentally and physically.

“He was still in a development stage but even then I knew he would forge a career.

“I was desperate to get him involved with the first team a little bit more, maybe train with us, maybe see some game time, just to go in beside him to see a bit more about him.

“He studies the game. He always asks questions, he always wants to know why.

“Some coaches can maybe misinterpret that as being busy or questioning their methods. But I was fascinated by a kid of that age wanting to know the ins and outs of the drills, the ins and outs of the training sessions.

“He wanted to know why, where and when we would use the drills, how we would use them. I think that helped Connor’s understanding of the game and to reach the levels he has now.

“I don’t think Connor has reached his potential as yet. There is still more to come.”

At one point in May, it seemed the next chapter would be in the Premier League this season.

Connor Goldson limps off at Hillsborough. Picture by Richard Parkes

Defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, when Goldson was one of four Albion men to go off injured, put paid to that script.

As luck would have it, Coughlan is a Wednesdayite. But he sat quietly amid his fellow Owls fans at a raucous Hillsborough that night.

“I was probably the only Sheffield Wednesday fan in the ground who was gutted to see Connor go off,” he said.

“My little lad is a season ticket holder and we go over to Hillsborough quite often.

“I was gutted when Brighton didn’t make it, purely for Connor, because ultimately he will fulfil his potential and I believe he will play in the Premier League if he continues with his development. He is at the ideal club and place to do that.

“These disappointments will stand you in good stead.

“Connor was youth team captain when I was first team captain at Shrewsbury and we missed out in the play-off final.

“I know exactly what he is going through and I know exactly what the club and fans are going through.

“It is extremely difficult to pick yourself up after something like that.”

That near miss was mentioned last Tuesday.

“We talked about a few things,” Coughlan said. “We spoke about the current crop of Brighton players and would any of them be of use to Southend.

Goldson in action for Shrewsbury

“We talked about his injury, his rehab, the game that evening, we obviously touched on Shrewsbury and the devastation which he suffered personally and Brighton suffered of not making it to the play-off final or the Premier League.

“But, like I said to him, he has fought back from disappointments.

“He will fight back from the injury and be bigger and better for it.

“He will fight back from the disappointment of not making it last season.

“He was asking me about how you pick yourself up from experiences like that but he is with the right people.

“He will come back as a real driving force at such a young age in the quest for Premier League football.”

When he does, there will no doubt be a thought for the man who helped in those early days and, fate decreed, was there when chapter two of Goldson’s Albion story kicked off.

“Connor was good enough to hand me his Brighton jersey as a memento of our time together or a thank you,” Coughlan said of last week's meeting.

“It was very touching, to be honest. I’m a grown lad and I don’t normally get sentimental but it’s nice when somebody comes up to you and makes a little gesture like that.”