When 16-year-old Neville Southall joined Bangor City in 1974, little would he know that he was on the verge of a career that would see him remembered as one of the best goalkeepers that the English league has ever seen.
It was on this day in 1958 that Southall, the middle child of three boys, was born to Fred and Rose Southall in Llandudno. Now, at the age of 54, he holds cult-hero status with his former club Everton and Wales, holding the appearance records for both following an incredible career.
Southall eventually stepped into the professional game in 1980 when he joined Bury from Winsford United for a figure in the region of £6,000. However, having worked as a binman, waiter and hod carrier during his amateur days, Southall hit the big time in 1981 when he made the move to Merseyside outfit Everton, where he would spend 17 years.
It did not take long for him to make his mark at Goodison Park, establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper in the 1983-84 season despite pressure from Jim McDonagh, Jim Arnold and Martin Hodge. However, then Everton boss Howard Kendall kept faith with the Welshman despite a number of fitness and indeed health issues.
To this day, he still holds the appearance record for The Toffees – 578 league appearances and 750 in all competitions. During his time with the club, he won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1985, two First Division championship medals in 1985 and 1987 and two FA Cup medals in 1984 and 1995.
His time at Everton come to an end in 1998 when he joined Torquay United following loan spells at Port Vale, Southend United and Stoke City. He became the club's regular goalkeeper for two seasons, before he ended his professional career with Dagenham & Redbridge in 2002 having made a number of appearances for a host of lower-league clubs.
His 92 caps for Wales are also a record, placing him above the likes of Gary Speed, Craig Bellamy, Dean Saunders, Peter Nicholas, Ian Rush, Mark Hughes and Joey Jones, who all made more than 70 appearances for their country.
At the age of 38, Southall made his 92nd and final appearance for his country against Turkey. It was not a happy ending for the Everton legend as he conceded three times in the first half before being replaced – with national team boss Bobby Gould blaming him for each of the goals. In total, he conceded 126 goals for his country, an average of 1.34 per match.
His country also presented him with his first taste of management as he took charge in a caretaker capacity in 1999 alongside Mark Hughes. In his only game in charge, Wales were beaten 2-0 by Denmark on June 9, leading to Hughes taking the position on a full-time basis.
In addition to his vast success on the field, Southall has been made a full member of the Gwladys Street's Hall of Fame, which celebrates those who have contributed to the history of Everton. He was also named as one the 100 'Greatest Players of the 20th Century' by World Soccer magazine and in 1995, he was handed an MBE for his services to football.
A goalkeeper known for his wonderful shot-stopping ability and instinctive reactions, Southall once said: "If I changed 100 things and got 1% better because of one of them, then it was worth it". It was that attitude, coupled with pure hard work, why Southall will forever be remembered as one of the most talented keepers the English game has ever seen.
Matt Law
