Born to a family of Asian background, to his mother, Sue Pickford (a housekeeper) and his father, Lee Pickford (a builder), the English Goalkeeper was raised a Catholic. He became officially attracted to the beautiful game while attending St. Robert of Newminster Catholic School. At school, Pickford declared his interest in playing football, particularly being a goalkeeper, because he was the tallest among all eight-year-olds who were assessed for their height.
Discover the inspiring tale of Jordan Pickford, whose ascent from a young, ambitious goalkeeper to England’s first-choice keeper is a story of relentless pursuit and undeniable talent. Dubbed “Picky” by fans and teammates, Jordan’s path to success is marked by notable achievements, personal growth, and the unwavering support of his family, including his parents, Sue and Lee Pickford, and his wife, Megan Davison.
Jordan Pickford: From School Passion to Patient Pursuit of Football Stardom.
Beyond his impressive saves and contributions to the game, this biography delves into Pickford’s life outside the stadium, his humble beginnings, and the journey that led him to dominate the goalkeeping world.
Despite widespread acclaim, the full depth of Jordan Pickford’s story remains largely untold, offering insights into his lifestyle, values, and the dedication behind his rise to prominence. Join us as we delve into the life of “Picky”, a goalkeeping genius whose story is as compelling as his performances on the field.
Jordan Pickford Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
To begin his biography, Jordan Lee Pickford was born on March 7, 1994, in Washington, United Kingdom. His parents are Sue Pickford, who works as a housekeeper, and Lee Pickford, who works as a builder.
The story of the Washington-born stopper talks about his rise as a raw recruit at the of eight, all the way through to the first-team level and beyond.
Growing up, Pickford attended St. Robert of Newminster Catholic School.
At school, he was interested in playing football, particularly being a goalkeeper, because he was the tallest among all eight-year-olds who were assessed for their height.
After playing goalie position for his school youth team, his parents decided to enrol him at Sunderland’s academy when he was still at age 8.
“When you look at all eight-year-olds as you’re assessing their height. You’ll find out that they’re athletic and quick, but not all have the right build – Jordan Pickford had all those things.
Having known that Goalkeeping options were already filled up, the youth academy wanted to send him on loan. They had a bad feeling because of his age.
They were reluctant to send him out on loan. However, Pickford wasn’t afraid. He went on a total of six loans. These loans were brutal and uncompromising but helped turn the little boy into a man.
Young Pickford witnessed a quick transformation during his early career.
Pickford worked with good people wherever he has been and progressed through the goalkeeping age groups.
By contrast, by the time Pickford made his Sunderland debut, he already had more than 100 first-team games.
“When you look at the likes of David James or David Seaman, they were young lads, and by the time they were 20 or 21, they had played something like 100 games,”
said Prudhoe, Pickford’s youth coach. In 2011, Jordan Pickford, to the joy of his family, signed his first professional contract with Sunderland.
Advancing in his career, he was often used as a cover for Phil Barnes, who was injured. He learnt the outstanding ability to keep clean sheets.
The clean sheet record prompted Everton, who, on the 15th day of June 2017, signed him on a five-year contract.
Pickford’s initial fee of approximately £30 million due to add-ons, making him the third most expensive goalkeeper in history (at the time of his Everton signing) and the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time. From a performance viewpoint, he joins the likes of Djordje Petrovic and Mike Maignan as among the most admired goalkeepers in world football as of 2024.
Who is Megan Davison?… Jordan Pickford’s Wife:
First and foremost, they both started out as friends. Pickford has been with his childhood sweetheart Megan Davison since they were 14, and she moved to Liverpool with him when he joined Everton.
Megan, who regularly describes him as “bae” on Instagram, always stands by her man. She is a university graduate with a Second Class Upper Degree.
Both lovers like to go on regular holidays around the world, especially to the Bahamas.
Jordan Pickford’s Personal Life Away from Football:
Everton Legendary Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has the following attributes to his personality.
Pickford’s Personality – EXPLAINED.
Jordan’s Strengths: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical
Weaknesses: Fearful, overly trusting, sad, and wanting to escape reality, can be victims or martyrs.
What Jordan likes: Being alone, sleeping, music, romance, visual media, swimming, and spiritual themes.
Jordan dislikes Those who claim they know it all, being criticized, the past coming back to haunt him and cruelty of any kind.
Jordan is very friendly and so full of joy and laughter.
Because of this, he often finds themselves in the company of very different people. Jordan is selfless; he is always willing to help others without hoping to get anything back.
Jordan Pickford Family Life:
First thing first, Jordan Pickford comes from a middle-class British family background. Recent reports reveal his family’s deep origin in Asia, hence the reason for the name Lee.
Jordan has always chosen chicken and pasta prepared by his mother.
One of the sharpest memories of his family involves being in the back of his parent’s car, heading to non-league grounds, with the same food (Chicken and Pasta) in front of him. In his words…
‘I’d travel to Alfreton for my games, and my dad would drive,’ says Pickford.
He continued… ‘I’d eat my pre-match meal in the back. My mum makes chicken and pasta and she’d stick it in a tub. I’m not sure it was too professional, but as long as I was getting a man of the match, it was all right!
Things get different for me on Saturdays. My mum, Sue, would take me to my football trainings in a taxi when I was a kid. This happened when my dad, who is a builder, had to work on a Saturday morning.”
Jordan Pickford Bother:
His brother, Richard Pickford, has been the one who had set him on the path to becoming a goalkeeper. Both played football together when they were kids. Unfortunately, Richard never made it to the top.
His unfortunate experience in the professional game has served to sharpen his younger sibling’s resolve to fulfil his ambitions by climbing to the top and making England coach Gareth Southgate take notice of him.
Jordan Pickford’s Parents thought his England Call-Up was a Joke:
Pickford got called up to the senior squad after Burnley football club Goalkeeper Tom Heaton was injured in training. It was for a World Cup qualifier match with Slovenia. This led to his dream England Call.
Pickford’s account of the story is as follows;
“I was just pulling into my mam and dad’s house when I was told on the phone, ‘You have been called up; get down as soon as possible.
I was buzzing. I said, ‘Mam, I’m going away with England; I’m going down now; I’ve just had a phone call’.
“She went, ‘No you’re not’ — she thought I was winding her up, being a joker again! It was only a short period, but being away those two nights with the best players in the country was a massive learning experience.”
