Top Five Greatest Everton Goalkeepers of All Time

Everton have a storied history. Nine First Division titles and five FA Cups make them one of England’s most successful clubs. Last Word on Football brings you our top five greatest Everton goalkeepers.

The Five Greatest Everton Goalkeepers of All Time

5. Tim Howard

The only non-British keeper on the list, Tim Howard was in the net during The Toffees’ most successful period in the Premier League. His ten-year stint on Merseyside included 354 league games and 117 clean sheets.

In his first eight seasons, Everton only finished as low as eighth, and they also finished fifth three times in that span. His most memorable moment at the club is not for any of his saves but for adding himself to the small list of goalkeepers to score in the Premier League.

4. Jordan Pickford

The current number one at Goodison Park, Jordan Pickford joined the club from his boyhood club Sunderland for an initial £25 million fee. At the time it was the third most expensive transfer for a goalkeeper, showing the faith that the club had in the then 23-year-old. But the risk that Everton took paid dividends. Pickford has been awarded the club’s Player of the Season four times, including the last three seasons.

He has been crucial to Everton maintaining their Premier League status despite three consecutive relegation battles. He currently has 80 clean sheets in his 284 Premier League games for the club. If he continues on this path he could find himself further along the list in the future.

3. Gordon West

Winning a title in your first season at the club is a hard act to follow, but Gordon West helped Everton win an FA Cup and another First Division title in his 12 years at the club. His £27,000 fee was the highest for any goalkeeper when he joined the club from Blackpool ahead of the 1961/62 season. Everton got their money’s worth as he made over 400 appearances while on Merseyside.

2. Ted Sagar

Ted Sagar spent an incredible 24 years at Everton. Between 1929 and 1953, he made a club record 463 league appearances. Although he contributed to the club’s first-ever relegation from the top flight, he helped make up for it with two First Division titles and an FA Cup win in the following years.

He was ultimately a part of Everton’s second and last relegation from the First Division; he retired before he saw the club gain promotion. Had his lengthy stint not been interrupted by the Second World War he very well would still be the club all time appearance maker.

1. Neville Southall

The consensus best goalkeeper to ever play for Everton, Neville Southall is an icon at the club. He was between the sticks for the club’s most successful period in the 1980s and was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the time.

Southall helped The Toffees win two First Division titles, two FA Cups and a European Cup winners cup in his 17 years on Merseyside. He earned a staggering 254 clean sheets across all competitions in his 751 appearances.

The Welsh international was just the third goalkeeper to ever earn the FWA Player of the Season award in the 1984-85 season and none have done it since. ‘Big Nev’ was truly one of a kind and has continued championing the club as well as underrepresented members of society since his retirement.