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Published On 1 Nov 2025
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Pickford on England records, World Cup dream & love of motocross
The Football Interview is a new series in which the biggest names in sport and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for bold and in-depth conversations about the nation’s favourite sport.
We’ll talk about defining moments, career highs, and personal reflections, as well as motivation and mindset. The Football Interview brings you the person behind the player.
Jordan Pickford, who just signed a new contract with the Toffees, wants to stay there for many years. He is both England’s and Everton’s top player.
The 31-year-old started his career at his boyhood club Sunderland and had spells on loan at several lower-league clubs before making the move to Merseyside in 2017.
Everton has made more than 300 appearances for Pickford and won the team’s player of the year award four times, including the previous three, despite that fact, since then.
More recently, he set a new England record for consecutive clean sheets, which he extended to nine matches after the win against Latvia earlier in October.
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Kelly Somers: Let’s start with football, what does it mean to you?
Jordan Pickford: Honestly, that is all I know. As a young kid I played since I was five years old, so I grew up being a football fan and I had the opportunity to be a footballer which is every kid’s dream. It’s a huge honor for me and I take great pride in the fact that I became a football player because there are only so many people who can realize that dream.
Kelly: Did you always think you would be a goalkeeper?
Jordan: I always had a goal, and that was when I first remember it. I remember playing with my brother and his mates in the street and I was in the goal on the concrete. I went in goal when my brother was competing for the district at the time, which was pretty much the beginning of my development.
Kelly: A goalkeeper playing on concrete as well?
Jordan: I’m crazy, am I not?
Kelly: Who was your childhood idol?
Jordan: When I was younger, I remember watching Kevin Phillips and Thomas Sorensen play for Sunderland, but as I got older, I remember Wazza [Wayne Rooney] and Joe Hart.
Kelly: So you always had the attacking player you liked but the goalkeeper too?
Wazza is a legend, isn’t he? I was a bit too young for Gazza]Paul Gascoigne].
Kelly, as a boyhood fan, how did it feel to first experience Sunderland?
Kelly: Was there ever a moment you thought, ‘ I could make this here? ‘
Jordan: It all begins when you’re younger, but back when you were growing up, you used to get day releases on Tuesdays, giving you the full day of training. At 14 or 15 I got invited to train on Thursday morning at Sunderland and train with the youth team, so I used to have a day and a half off school so that was when I thought that I was sticking it properly then.
Kelly, you made it to Everton despite having a lot of loans at Sunderland. What was that move like for you?
Jordan: Considering the loans, I would say that if any goalkeeper had the chance to play on loan and in the lower leagues, it would be more advantageous than playing for a youth team. You are playing a proper game, there’s a lot more pressure that you thrive off and you learn and mature more as a goalkeeper. It’s probably the best thing that ever occurred to me as I took those loans. I’ll never forget when I was on loan at Preston, I was doing really well and big Sam]Allardyce] called me back and gave me a new contract and I made my debut in the FA Cup against Arsenal in the same week. I made my Premier League debut a week later, and the rest of the season I spent sat on the bench, but it was a different positive experience. The year after Vito Mannone got injured and that is where I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Kelly: The club seems to be filled with both a lot of excitement and a lot of hype. You are often linked to other clubs. Why was this the ideal time to conclude a new agreement?
Jordan: When I first signed we were in Europe and that was the driver then and that is where Everton should be. The club is moving in the right direction after two or three years that were a bit of a rollercoaster ride. You see with the signings the club has made and the drive we have this season to improve, it comes from the top of the club. I believe we will see far more positive outcomes and continue to advance. You want to be playing in the Premier League and I have that opportunity with Everton.
Kelly: What goals does Everton have going this season?
Jordan: I’ll never look at the end of the season and say, ‘ I want to do this’, I always take it game by game.
Kelly: You must have a vision for Everton’s future when signing a new contract, right?
Kelly: As for England that is not going too badly too – qualifying for the World Cup and keeping nine successive clean sheets for you as well, surpassing Gordan Banks ‘ record. How would you define that?
Jordan: I don’t take all the credit. Because Banksy is a true legend in the game, it is a great honor to break a record like that. However, I always say that it is a team effort: we win together, lose together, and keep clean records together. I know Harry Kane keeps scoring goals week in and week out, but the lads are there to provide service and I am there to help the lads when I am needed to make a save and be called upon, that is what I feel like I do. Because of how much I may not have had in the past, I am always present as a goalkeeper because I always make the right saves when needed and play backward in games. So there’s a lot more to it than just clean sheets because it is not as if I am having seven or eight saves to make in a game, there’s the concentration element to it. I give credit for that in terms of staying in the moment and staying in the game, but I never give credit for keeping a clean sheet.
Kelly: How do you stay in the moment when you are not busy?
Jordan: You must maintain mental fortitude. Every goalkeeper is different. If the ball is in the other half of the pitch, for me it will always be on the right side, always mirroring it, and always making sure I feel in the right place to get a through-ball or save if it is breaking down. Communication as well, I feel like just being connected is key.
Kelly, you have a remarkable career going, and you still have a good few more years to go. But when you reflect on it all, do you ever feel like I might not have had the opportunity to achieve what I do?
Jordan: I think I have always had that mentality that I want to improve myself. I don’t want to think that I’m always striving for better for myself because I’ve won 80 caps for England or 330 for Everton. When my son Arlo was born that was a big change where there was an unknown to the family. Megan and I both had a new experience, which was significant. That was when I had a bit of a dip of form and that is when I started using psychologists, rough with the smooth.
Kelly, your team-mates have shared some interesting sayings about your personality. I’ve heard James Tarkowski say you bark at him and you have had arguments on the pitch. Declan Rice and Kyle Walker have used various expressions to describe you, but I’ve read some of the quotes. All they are saying is a little bit bonkers is how you are.
Jordan: There is probably a line where sometimes I go too much that way. I’m attempting to adapt that to. There has got to be a balance. When I wear a football shirt, I hate losing when I play small-sided football with the boys in training. It gets me right up. It demonstrates my desire to win, in my opinion.
Kelly: We know how your team-mates describe you, how would your best friend or family describe you?
Jordan: I believe they will point out that I care about people like my friends and that I always want the best for everyone. I think it is one thing I am good at.
What kind of father do you have playing football? Kelly Do you try to blend in or are you shouting at your boy?
Kelly: What was it like growing up in your house?
Mad Jordan . That was mad. My brother and I were both really well raised by my parents. They were strict but not too strict. Many of our goals were accomplished thanks to them. Times have changed now, you don’t see kids out on the street as much now and I feel like we’ve lost that way a bit. My mother was yelling, “Get in Jordan, you have school tomorrow,” as I was walking down the street. I wanted to be out all the time,
Kelly, maybe you were a little naughty at first?
Jordan: I think so. I’d be described as something else by my mother!
Kelly: I read a quote from you the other day that even when you get an England call-up now your mum still texts you congratulations so you are obviously very close.
Jordan: I’ll call her every day when I get home from training. She will text me before every call-up and text me saying good luck before every game and would text me after saying well done whether I’ve had a good game or a bad game.
Kelly, tell me something about yourself that would surprise me.
Jordan: I am not allowed to do it as a footballer but I would love to be able to do motocross. My best best friend now competes in the British Championships, and I watched it as a child with my best friend every week. If I could I would go every week to watch as much as I can. If I could, I would, but our contracts forbid us from doing that, which is against the law. That is probably one thing in my life I would have love to have done.
Kelly, do you have a lot of passion for that?
Jordan: Yes as I went from such a young age and we would stay in motorhomes and caravans at the racetrack as kids and it was mint. The adrenaline I experience when my friends are getting ready for a good start and I am properly leaning over and cheering them on is what I get from watching them on the start line and the gate drop, then the first corner.
Kelly: Do you get spotted there?
Jordan: Yes, I’m spotted, but it doesn’t bother me because I lean over to push them on in an effort to improve. It gives me proper adrenaline and it is one of the things I love.
Kelly, what would you like to accomplish with your career if you could only accomplish one thing?
Jordan: Win the World Cup.
Kelly, when is next summer?
Jordan: Yep. That would be acceptable to me. It is what the whole nation is waiting for.
Kelly, do you believe this is your best chance right now?
Jordan: Yes we’ve had some great opportunities. You can learn from watching the young people win cups and Champions League the more you have seen them win in tournament football. I think, for me, to lift that World Cup or a major trophy for England would be number one and if I could ever get silverware at Everton that would be number two. It would be amazing to be a part of England’s victory since it hasn’t won anything in a long time. We have to believe in ourselves, we have that opportunity and we have to take it with both hands but you are playing the best nations in the world and you have to play your best in each game and that’s what takes you so far.
Kelly, what do you most admire?
related subjects
- Sunderland
- Premier League
- Everton
- Football
- Men’s football teams from England
- August 16
FitFlop’s ‘wonderfully comfortable’ waterproof walking boots are ‘fantastic on icy streets’
Customers claim that FitFlop’s walking boots are “wonderfully comfortable” to wear, making them the ideal warm, cozy, and waterproof footwear to wear all through the winter and autumn.
Nothing will ruin your plans more than the rain, whether it’s for your commute to work, a dog walk in the rain, or just trying to get some fresh air in the countryside. Finding a pair of cozy and warm boots is necessary in the autumn and winter because having wet, cold feet can quickly ruin your day.
And with plenty more rain and even the threat of snow on the horizon, now is the time to get your hands on a pair if you haven’t already. FitFlop’s newly launched NEO-D-HYKER Waterproof Sub-Zero Walking Boots are a great pick that combines fashion and function – always a winner in the colder months.
The khaki coat by Celebrity Traitors by Claudia Winkleman is a must-have for the fall.
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The NEO-D-HYKER Walking Boots’ new versions are the ideal hard-working pair to have on hand when hiking uphill in the mountains or trail after your dog through the snow and ice. In the wet weather, you could easily slip them on for work or dinner with friends. They also have the right amount of timeless style.
The new NEO-D-HYKER walking boots cost £140, but new FitFlop customers can save you 15% by purchasing them with the promo code WELCOME. They come in black, white, olive, and tan colorways. The chunky, sturdy sole provides you with plenty of grip even when it’s wet and icy, while the padded uppers with quilted stitching and cozy fleece lining add extra warmth and insulation.
However, they are completely waterproof, which is what is most crucial. You don’t have to worry about trying to avoid puddles or getting caught in a downpour because the boots are coated in a waterproof material and have rubber mudguards and bellows tongues that prevent water and debris.
Despite having all the practical attributes, NEO-D-HYKER Walking Boots are still comfortable thanks to their lightness and flexibility. You can wear them with jeans and wide leg pants to work, or with your leggings and a waterproof coat for days spent outside because of the zip-up front design.
The Adventurer Womens Waterproof Walking Boots from Mountain Warehouse have adjustable laces up the front, which ensure you get plenty of support on safe hikes and climbs. To save money, they are currently on sale for only £64.99, so grab a bargain.
Additionally, Columbia offers a wide selection of hiking and walking boots, including trainer hybrids that are comfortable and practical to wear. You can spend the entire day in these pairs because they are weatherproof or waterproof, and they offer the ideal combination of support and comfort.
However, one customer wrote, “Wonderfully comfortable and light,” and the NEO-D-HYKER Walking Boots have already received a lot of positive reviews. Although we haven’t yet thoroughly tested them out in the cold, we will update this review in the winter.”
One user remarked, “These were for a recent ski vacation. They were fantastic for exploring the icy streets and lower slopes. The grip on the feet was excellent and feet were kept warm.”
However, one of the commentators disagreed, saying that “very comfortable but no support for ankles and quiet slippy when it is raining.”
Continue reading the article.
However, others praised them, with one saying, “Comfortable for long distance walking, warm, and completely waterproof”!
Tanzanian President Hassan declared winner of disputed vote with 98 percent
Dodgers win Game 6 against Blue Jays in World Series to force decider
With a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Los Angeles Dodgers put the World Series series in its final seventh game to restrain their hopes of becoming Major League Baseball’s (MLB) first repeat champion in 25 years.
A Dodgers team with no room for error and facing elimination for the first time this postseason started with Mookie Betts and Will Smith providing the offense in six solid innings starting against Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
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On a bizarre play in the ninth inning, Toronto thought it had tied the game after hitting a homerun inside the park at the bottom of the outfield fence, where Dodgers outfielder Justin Dean raised his hands to declare the play dead.
A video review turned out to be a ground rule double, leaving Toronto with runners on second and third without an out.
Before Kike Hernandez turned the double play when he fired the ball into second base to end the game, Ernie Clement then hit an infield pop and Andres Gimenez lined out to left.
Fans of the lone MLB team in Canada are desperate to celebrate the Blue Jays’ first World Series victory in 32 years with a one-day delay at least.
Game 6 puts the Dodgers’ entire season on the line.
Few people expected the Blue Jays to present much of a challenge and even fewer called for it to go the distance because the Dodgers were already an overwhelming favorite at the start of the season.
Los Angeles opened the scoring in the third inning with a run-scoring double from Smith before Betts added a pair of runs to put them ahead 3-0.
After scoring on a George Springer single in the bottom half of the third, Barger doubled before leading the Blue Jays to within two.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation had been their strength this postseason, but Yamamoto once more took matters into his own hands and took the team’s 3-2 lead in the World Series.
Before the Dodgers switched to a bullpen, which has been their weak link all season, the Japanese ace, who threw complete-game gems in his previous two starts, struck out six batters and gave up one run on five hits in six innings.
Before Roki Sasaki retired Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho grounded out to end the inning, the Blue Jays made a threat in the eighth inning when they had one more out. Then they faced another run of the same name.
A spectator scaled the outfield wall and stormed the field with a United States flag in the sixth inning before being promptly taken down by security guards and escorted away.
On Saturday in Toronto, Game 7 will be played.
Melissa leaves 50 dead, toll expected to rise in Jamaica, Haiti
After enduring days of abuse in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, Hurricane Melissa has finally left the Caribbean, leaving behind a trail of devastation that has claimed the lives of about 50 people.
Residents of Jamaica were weighing their losses and the lengthy road to recovery on Friday as a result of the hurricane’s powerful force that it had smashed into the country on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm.
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Nearly half of Jamaica’s water systems are offline, and more than 60% of the country is still without power.
Up to 90% of all structures in the historic seaside town of Black River, southwest of Jamaica, were left without roofs, and the storm also shattered power lines and toppled concrete structures.
As she watched a bag of groceries and household items for herself and a group of Greenfield residents, one of the many black-river communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Ike, “People are hungry,” said Monique Powell, “People are hungry.”
Michelle Barnes and her 13-year-old daughter were distributing their portion of handouts from neighborhood food stores, many of which had soaked and damaged and were now water-soaked.
According to a study conducted by Imperial College London, climate change contributed four times to the magnitude of the storm, one of the most powerful ever recorded.
Death trail
Authorities had “quite credible” reports of a potential five additional deaths, but had not yet been able to confirm, according to Jamaica’s Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon, who spoke at a briefing.
Although we’re only 19 confirmed, she said, “we do anticipate that to change today.”
Authorities in the nearby Haiti reported 21 missing and at least 31 fatalities, primarily in the southern region of the nation. More than 15 800 people were still in shelters.
More than 735, 000 people were evacuated from Cuba on Friday, but no deaths were reported. Dangerous flooding persisted in some areas on Friday as a result of the civil defense’s efforts to stop the island’s eastern region.
Climate finance and disaster bonds
Jamaica’s recovery costs are unknown, but the Caribbean nation has already made money available for disaster response, including through a special bond deal with the World Bank.
According to Dixon, the bond, which was issued in 2024, provides $150 million in financial security for Jamaica during the four hurricane seasons.
She stated on Friday that Hurricane Melissa had triggered this bond, which provides payouts in the event of natural disasters until 2027.
Jamaica is one of the many nations that is pressing wealthy countries to increase climate financing to cover the costs of climate-induced disasters.
In addition, Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Energy, and Technology, Andrew Wheatley, praised the country’s “deep appreciation of the global outpouring of support” following Melissa, but urged potential donors to be cautious of scams and to use the official government portal for donations.
Cuba rescues stranded residents who have been flooded.
In response to Melissa, Cuba was attempting to rescue residents who were still stranded by previously inaccessible floodwaters on Friday.
Around 380mm (15 inches) of rain fell on some areas of the island’s eastern end shortly after the Hurricane struck Cuba as a risky Category 3 hurricane.
Residents of the country’s longest river were rescued from the still-rising waters on Friday by emergency workers wad waist-deep in wetsuits and used military vehicles and boats.
Eduardo Verdecia, 83, a resident of Rio Cauto, claimed that while expected, the river would still be flowing. However, the persistent rains, runoff from nearby mountains, and a rapidly expanding reservoir, had surprised them.