Jordan Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper and England‘s number one, carries a different surname today due to a legal change made by his father, Lee Pickford. Originally born Lee Pigford, his father altered the family name by deed poll to protect his children from the bullying he experienced during his own school years.
This detail about the goalkeeper’s family history has emerged as Pickford prepares for a significant match. He is set to become England‘s most-capped player at the World Cup, making his 18th appearance in the upcoming Quarter-Final against Norway.
Family history and career trajectory
Lee Pigford faced taunts and was reportedly called ‘Piggy’ during his time at school. This experience led him to legally change his surname, ensuring that his future children would not endure similar abuse. This decision ultimately shaped the name that Jordan Pickford carries today, a name that has become well-known in international football.
Despite the name change, Jordan Pickford‘s grandfather, Barrie, still retains the Pigford surname. Barrie has expressed immense pride in his grandson’s achievements, particularly his rise to play for England. He noted that moving to Everton in 2017 was a beneficial step for Jordan‘s career, where his international journey began.
Jordan Pickford‘s journey in football started in the academy at his hometown club, Sunderland. After six loan spells away from the north east, he made a significant move to Everton in 2017. This transfer marked a turning point, as he soon became England‘s first-choice goalkeeper, a position he has held across five major international tournaments.
His consistency has been a hallmark of his career. In the last two Premier League seasons, Pickford has recorded 23 clean sheets. This places him second only to David Raya of Arsenal, who achieved 32 clean sheets during the same period.
International impact and upcoming challenge
Jordan Pickford has amassed 89 caps for England, conceding 59 goals and keeping 44 clean sheets. According to Opta statistics, he has made only two errors that directly led to goals during his international career. His recent performance in England‘s 3-2 victory over Mexico helped secure a spot in the World Cup Quarter-Finals.
The upcoming match against Norway presents a significant challenge, with Erling Haaland expected to be a key threat. The Manchester City striker has scored in each of his last 14 competitive appearances for Norway, accumulating 27 goals during this period. He has also found the net in all four of his appearances at the 2026 World Cup so far.
Pickford has been a consistent presence for England, featuring in two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final. He believes that Thomas Tuchel, the current manager, has instilled a winning mentality within the squad. Pickford expressed confidence in the team’s ability to achieve success, citing the belief and togetherness fostered by the manager’s approach.
The goalkeeper’s role in the national team has been prominent since 2018, making him the number one choice for five consecutive major international tournaments. His 18th World Cup appearance against Norway will surpass Peter Shilton‘s previous record for England‘s most-capped player in the tournament.
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Source: toffeeweb.com
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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”