Ex-SAFC goalkeeper Jordan Pickford hails grassroots ‘spotlight’ ahead of England games | OneFootball

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has paid tribute to his grassroots beginnings and the Football Foundation ahead of England games, as he looks to add to his 81 caps.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Washington-born 32-year-old started out with Washington Envelopes before joining Sunderland’s academy, making 35 first-team appearances in 2016/17.

“Washington Envelopes was the start of the journey for me,” Pickford said. He said it put him in the spotlight to be scouted by Sunderland, leading to a trial, the development squad and an Under-nine contract.

England’s No.1 has reached two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, and holds national records for consecutive tournament starts, consecutive clean sheets and shootout saves.

At club level, he has been a mainstay for Everton since 2017, missing just 12 league matches in eight and a half years and helping the Toffees stay in the top flight during recent relegation battles.

The Football Foundation, a partnership between the Premier League, The FA and the British Government, has invested over £1 billion in grassroots facilities over 25 years. On Wearside it funded the Beacon of Light Hub (£2 million), the Ford Hub (£4.1 million), the Washington Hub (£4.8 million) and the Downhill Hub (£5.2 million).

Pickford said the backing brings regular chances to play and better standards in the North East. Robert Sullivan, the Foundation’s chief executive, said many England players began on improved facilities and that funding, from 3G pitches to changing rooms and goalposts, supports communities nationwide.

Source: Sunderland Echo