13 Jul 2018 11:46:47
Well it seems our keeper is getting some good reviews world wide. That got me thinking about who do you think was our best keeper?
I know big Nev is probably our most revered keeper but that does not mean he was our best. Gordon West for me rates highly and dare I say was probably better than Pickford at the same stage of his career. Ted Sagar was keeping for us for an incredible 24 years, that should indicate he was good at what he did but watching clips of him I am not sure if he would be good enough for todays standards, never seeing him play live I can not be certain. Nigel Martin, great keeper but injury prone if memory serves me correct, dodgy ankle I think.
Tim Howard served us well and actually holds the premiership record for the most consecutive games played for a single club. I rate him as good a keeper as West, I actually think Pickford is a better keeper Than Howard was at this stage in his career, However if Pickford stays with Everton then I envisage great things for him. Big Nev a true favourite at Everton, he loved the club and loved playing for us but was he the best, personally I do not think so. If we had all 5 of those keepers with us today I think the order from 1 to 5 would be,
Gordon West
Jordan Pickford Neville Southall Joint 2nd
Tim Howard
Ted Sagar

I would be interested in what you think.
Tony.

{Ed025's Note - its big nev by a country mile for me SOG and nigel martin would be right up there as well mate..


1.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 12:22:09
1 Neville Southall (no question)
2 Nigel Martyn (if only he came sooner)
3 Tim Howard (better than I thought he would be)

Only other ones I can remember are Bobby Mimms, Thomas Myhre, Richard Wright and Steve Simonsen. Yes the last two weren't the best for us.


2.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 12:51:59
Neville Southall. The best keeper in world football at his prime. That guy is the very epitome of NSNO. Makes me proud to be blue.


3.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 13:14:25
1 Southall
2 Martin
3 West
4 Howard
5 Rankin.


4.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 13:55:52
1 Big Nev (hands down)
2 Martyn
3 Pickford (hopefully he'll move up the list in time)

Can't really give an opinion on any before the 80s.


5.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 14:15:05
Not even a contest, Neville Southall hands down was the greatest goalkeeper.


6.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 14:20:34
I would think
Neville Southall
Gordon West
Nigel Martin
I find it difficult to place Jordan Pickford at the moment. Would certainly place him with West and Martin. Maybe after another season who knows.

When I started following Everton Albert Dunlop was goalkeeper. I can’t remember, but does anyone else remember his qualities.

Regarding Pickford, I hope we don’t have another situation like we did with Stones and Lukaku in wanting away. No doubt bigger clubs will soon be showing serious interest in him, so it’s important big progress is made this coming season to encourage him to stay.


7.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 14:59:35
Given you all a thumbs up lads,
I see Nigel Martin has been mentioned a few times and he would of without doubt been in my top 5 but for his iffy ankle and you are right Howie if only we had got him sooner.
Keen17 I echo your feelings with Pickford (regards Stones and Lukaku) and only hope the powers that be do also, maybe they will start to build the team around him and play to his strengths.


8.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 16:57:02
Undoubtedly Southall was our best ever GK, I absolutely idolised him.

Sadly, as a person, he lost every ounce of respect I ever had for him. He became manager of my hometown club, conference division at the time, caused nothing but trouble with his attitude towards staff, put ridiculously little effort into doing his job, and when fired he refused to return the company Mercedes he negotiated as part of his contract. A guy worth more than the club itself (probably) and he pinches the motor.
And before anybody says 'how would I know any of this', a relative owned the club at the time.


9.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 17:58:18
That’s a shame Worcester. I’ve had quite a bit of contact with him over the past few years and have found him to be very polite and humble, although not shy with his opinion but never rude with it. And he currently drives a VW.


10.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 18:46:41
West was before my time but I have heard lots of great reports about him. My too 3 that I’ve seen play are
1. Southall
2. Howard
3. Martyn (would probably be 2nd if he’d joined us sooner than he did) .

Big Nev though, what a talent. I’ll never forget the image of him sitting at a post at halftime time while the rest of team were in dressing room.


11.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 18:48:05
Southall every day of the week and twice on weekends!

The man could save anything - I vote he takes over the Brexit negotiations.


12.) 13 Jul 2018
13 Jul 2018 12:43:00
Nev for me too Ed by a long way.

{Ed025's Note - great keeper mate..


13.) 14 Jul 2018
14 Jul 2018 00:03:59
@Toffee Ace. it is a shame. As I said, I hero worshipped him, as kids do with footballers. When I heard about the possibility of him becoming manager I couldn't contain my excitement.
This is roughly 25 years ago now though so it'd be nice to think he's more down to earth now he's pretty much out of the sport completely.

On a different note, I moved to Chester not long later and the sensation that was Kevin Ratcliffe became manager there. What a genuinely nice guy. I lost count how many times I saw him out and about and every time he made a point of smiling and saying hi to literally every child staring in amazement at him. Not a great manager (but ridiculous turmoil at the club which saw them go out of business can't have helped) , but every match the fans would chant his name and you could see the joy he had for the game.