BORN ON THIS DAY: JORDAN PICKFORD

On this day in 1994, Jordan Pickford, a former Black Cat, was born in Washington.

Pickford signed for the Academy at the age of eight, and his career started with us when he was just a young child. Even though he was practicing and playing among older players, he was able to make himself stand out. In 2011, we gave him a professional contract.

He played on loan in League Two for Burton Albion and Carlisle United during the 2013–14 season. Not making many appearances, he was brought back after just two weeks with Burton. A few months later, he returned to Burton, but remembered again. After that, he was Sunderland’s bench warmer for 11 games, backing up

to Mannone Vitto. He may experience a little bit of the Stadium Of Light’s matchday atmosphere there.

Jordan had extensive exposure with the highs and lows of the NFL during the 14–15 season. Commencing the season in League One was yet another advancement in the level of competition as he started to solidify his position as Bradford City’s first pick.

In a 2-1 loss to Rochdale midway through the season, Pickford received his first-ever red card as a professional. In the closing moments of a 2-2 draw with Port Vale, he was shown another red card a month later. Bradford, however, did not get a suspension because he appealed the ruling.

Preston North End, a Championship team, was where Pickford began his next season. He played his first game for Preston in a 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough, maintaining a clean sheet. He tied the club record on November 7th, having kept six straight clean sheets, one of which came in the League Cup against Watford, a Premier League team.

His goalkeeping partner Chris Kirkland expressed his admiration for him when he began to impose his style of play, noting that “Jordan comes out to receive crosses and has an authority for someone still very young… His kicking is excellent as well! Nobody ever kicks a ball like he does, in my opinion.

He was brought back to us in January of 2016. as we eyed another relegation fight while sitting 19th in the Premier League. Even though he was only 21, he has already participated in every English football league after making his debut against Spurs. He signed a contract extension with us that will last until 2020 shortly after.

He started the season as second choice, but in the third game, due to an injury to Mannone, he was elevated to the starting lineup for what would be his final season with us. With teams further up the table reportedly interested, like Arsenal, Manchester City, and obviously Everton, he spent the entire campaign showing off his heart.

In terms of key facets of his game, such as the highest save %, the most saves, the most stops inside the box, and the most punches, he was among the best keepers in the league. He was on the PFA Young Player of the Season Award shortlist at the end of the season; Leroy Sane won the prize. Then, in June, he completed the £25 million transfer to Everton, ending his career in red and white.

Pickford has been England’s hero in international competitions since his departure. During the 2020 Euros, he performed admirably for England. He broke the record held by Gordon Banks for the most continuous minutes without a goal as an England goalkeeper, leaving his mark on history. Additionally, he made the most recordings. Despite having five clean sheets during the tournament—a trophy that isn’t given out for the European Championship—he was not given a Golden Glove. Jordan and England had a wonderful tournament, but it ended in disappointment when they lost to Italy in the finals on penalties. Pickford, meanwhile, shouldn’t hang his head in shame because he played incredibly well and wore his heart on his sleeve, saving two penalties in the shootout. It was simply not meant to be.

Pickford agreed to a contract extension with Everton in February 2023. That initially surprised me since I assumed he would sign with a team like Manchester United or Spurs. In any case, the news  Toffee supporters, who are facing relegation, will be encouraged by his deal since they will know they have a reliable goalkeeper for the upcoming few years.