How Jordan Pickford's father changed the family surname to spare his son from bullying

Jordan Pickford has earned 89 caps as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, but the name stitched across his international shirt nearly read ‘Pigford’ — had his father not taken decisive action decades before his son ever pulled on a senior jersey.

Pickford’s father, Lee, was raised with the surname Pigford and endured persistent bullying at school, where he was mockingly nicknamed ‘Piggy’. Determined to shield any future children from the same experience, Lee changed the family name by deed poll. The alteration meant Jordan grew up as a Pickford, a name now synonymous with England’s number one position.

Pickford’s grandfather, Barrie, still carries the original Pigford surname but has made no secret of his pride in his grandson’s achievements. Speaking to the Mail in 2018, he said: “I’m over the moon for him, I am. I never thought he would play for England. It is the best thing he did leaving Sunderland — going to Everton was a good thing for him. He doesn’t brag or nothing. When he comes home he is the same as normal. He’s a quiet kid really. I think the world of him.”

Pickford came through the youth ranks at his hometown club Sunderland, with his parents — both originally Newcastle supporters — switching allegiance to the Black Cats because of their son’s devotion to the club. After six loan spells away from the north east, he secured a £25 million move to Everton in 2017, which served as the launchpad for his international career.

Gareth Southgate handed him the number one shirt ahead of Joe Hart, and Pickford has not relinquished it since, featuring in five major international tournaments including two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final. England fell short on each occasion, but the Everton goalkeeper has consistently been among the team’s standout performers.

Most recently, Pickford played his part in England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico that secured a World Cup quarter-final place. He has spoken with confidence about the influence of head coach Thomas Tuchel, crediting the German with instilling a new level of belief within the squad.

“Belief, togetherness — I think we have had that previously, but I think the manager’s got that belief in us,” Pickford said. “The meetings the manager has with us, it is like you are ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you. There are different meetings he has tactically, and it is like ‘Yeah, it is go time.’”