Neville Southall

Lore & Background

Southall joined Bury from Winsford United for £6,000 in 1980, then moved to Everton for £150,000 in 1981. He made a club record 578 appearances in the English Football League and Premier League (750 in all competitions). His honours with Everton include a European Cup Winners' Cup medal in 1985, First Division championship medals in 1984–85 and 1986–87, FA Cup winners medals in 1984 and 1995, and FA Charity Shield winners medals in 1984, 1985, and 1995. He played in the 1985 and 1989 FA Cup finals, the League Cup final in 1984 (which Everton lost), and helped Everton to second place in the league in 1985–86. He earned 92 caps for Wales between 1982 and 1998.

Reader's Guide

Southall is known for his political activism, including being an international officer for his UNISON branch, endorsing Jeremy Corbyn for the 2017 UK general election, endorsing LGBT rights, and speaking at events advocating for Welsh independence. He has also worked extensively with disadvantaged children and established his own educational consultancy.

Did You Know?

• Southall worked as a binman, waiter and hod carrier during his teenage years.
• He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1996 Birthday Honours.
• He was named on the PFA Team of the Year four consecutive times.
• He is a member of the Gwladys Street's Hall of Fame and was named one of the 100 'Greatest Players of the 20th Century' by World Soccer magazine.