Bradford City can take huge pride in witnessing record-breaking England international: View | OneFootball

Former Bradford City goalkeeper has broken new records for the England national team at the UEFA Euro 2024 competition in Germany.

It’s not often that a former Bradford City player goes on to break several records held for the England men’s national team, but there is one name that has been doing just that during the UEFA Euro 2024 competition.

Somehow, England managed to pull through the group stages of UEFA Euro 2024 despite poor performances, and then overcame Slovakia in extra time, Switzerland on penalties, and the Netherlands thanks to an exceptional last-minute strike from Ollie Watkins that found the bottom corner in the 90th minute, sending England to the final against Spain on Sunday.

With England reaching the final, it gives Jordan Pickford a chance to win a major trophy and England's second-ever competition win after the World Cup in 1966, arguably making the animated shot-stopper England's greatest-ever goalkeeper.

The UEFA Euro final is a world away from Valley Parade, where Pickford found himself during the 2014-15 season, playing for the Bantams in Sky Bet League One on loan from Sunderland. Since then, Pickford has massively improved and has been vital in recent years, helping Everton to avoid the drop from the Premier League, where they'll play once again next season.

Many Bradford supporters would argue that Pickford learned everything he knows during his time at the club. Many could see the athletic goalkeeper's potential, but maybe not to the level that he has reached, setting a number of England records over the summer.

Pickford joined Bradford City under Phil Parkinson

When Pickford joined the Bantams for the 2014-15 season, current Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was at the helm.

Parkinson is still regarded by a number of the Bradford fanbase as arguably the greatest manager of the club, especially across the last 20 years, and the season when Pickford was at the club is the same season in which the Bantams managed to overcome Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup.

Unfortunately for Pickford, he wasn’t eligible to feature in FA Cup competition games during his loan spell, so he missed out on the famous cup run. However, he did manage to play in 33 league games for the club and was extremely impressive during this run.

Fans will remember Pickford best for his shot-stopping ability and his distribution, as he was as good as any outfield player at the club during that time with his feet, something he still is known for to this day. His pinpoint passing was like having an additional outfield player at times.

Since leaving the Bantams at the conclusion of that season, he went on to play for boyhood club Sunderland AFC, Preston North End and current club Everton.

Since Gareth Southgate took charge of the England men’s national team, he has had his favourites, including Pickford, who he has stuck by throughout tournaments.

Although the goalkeeper does come under scrutiny online from a minority of England supporters, Pickford has been ever present and is arguably a big reason why the national team has seen an improvement since Southgate took charge in 2016.

During UEFA Euro 2024, Pickford has broken a number of records, including his 23rd consecutive major tournament start when featuring against Slovakia, a record he shares with defender John Stones. The previous holder was former left-back Ashley Cole with 22.

Another record includes recording his 11th clean sheet at a major tournament in the draw with Slovenia. Maybe more impressive is equaling Peter Shilton’s record of 10 clean sheets at a major tournament while also becoming England’s most-capped goalkeeper at major tournaments during the same competition.

Finally, Pickford has saved five out of 20 penalties he has faced during major tournaments, which is more than all other England goalkeepers between 1990 and 2012 combined.

Despite the outcome of the tournament that concludes this coming weekend, England fans who are on the fence about Pickford and his ability should take note. He is England’s best goalkeeper and will hopefully continue to break records and show just why Bradford were eager, and fortunate enough, to bring him to the club during his younger years.

Nowadays, City supporters watch on with nothing but love for the goalkeeper and hope that Pickford goes on to cement himself as England’s best-ever keeper and brings home the UEFA Euro trophy back to England on Sunday evening.