Everton starlet George Pickford was thrown straight into the action by Southport on Saturday afternoon after sealing a loan move.
The 19-year-old only signed for the National League side on Friday, but was immediately chucked into the starting XI for a clash against Hereford.
It was a favourable start for Pickford given the fact Hereford sit 23rd in the table, and it did prove to be a fairytale beginning for the teenager away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium as Southport romped to victory.
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There's some really exciting youngsters currently at Finch Farm 🔥
Everton's Braiden Graham inspecting the pitch before the match during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Everton. Everton midfielder Malik Olayiwola. Justin Clarke of Everton looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Accrington Stanley and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto/Matt McNulty.
Everton loanee George Pickford helps Southport to 5-1 win over Hereford
This is the teenager’s first taste of senior football away from the Everton academy, and he looked no stranger to this level on his first appearance for Southport.
Not as many statistics are available for the National League compared to the Premier League, but Southport paid tribute to Pickford not once, not twice, but three times on their official X (previously known as Twitter) account as he made some superb stops to deny Hereford.
In the 28th minute with the scoreline at 0-0, they wrote: “Pickford with (a) fantastic left glove out for a corner after a strike from Daly on the left edge of the penalty area.”
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The Everton prospect then denied Hereford an equaliser just before the interval in the 42nd minute. Southport posted: “Another great save from Pickford from point blank range.”
68’ What a save! Hudson crosses one into to Hamilton who meets it perfectly with his head but Pickford gets a right glove to it and pushes it over the bar.
🟡4-0🟣
— Southport Football Club (@southport_fc) February 14, 2026
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With Southport leading 4-0 in the 68th minute, the boy born in Preston stepped up again. The National League side wrote on this occasion: “What a save! Hudson crosses one in to Hamilton who meets it perfectly with his head but Pickford gets a right glove to it and pushes it over the bar.”
It can often be tough for a goalkeeper to actually remain focused when their side is hammering the opposition, so Pickford deserves credit for staying alert throughout as Southport put five goals past Hereford.
He will, however, be annoyed at the concession of a late penalty in the 85th minute, which stained his clean sheet.
George Pickford has two years to prove to Everton he could be the number one after Jordan Pickford
The amount of time remaining on Pickford’s contract is very interesting when you compare it to Jordan Pickford and his backup, Mark Travers.
Pickford junior sees his current deal expire in July 2028, according to Transfermarkt, while Pickford senior – who is helping his development – and Travers have contracts until July 2029.
It means, if the man currently on loan at Southport can prove himself worthy of being a Premier League goalkeeper in the next two years, Everton may opt to allow Travers to leave on a free transfer in 2029 and promote Pickford to be the number two behind his namesake.
Does David Moyes need to put more trust in Everton’s academy players? 😤
Surely some of these players can do better than Beto and Dwight McNeil! 😡
Everton striker Braiden Graham. Everton manager David Moyes.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Visionhaus.
It will be a tough mission, but his start on loan at Southport suggests he has a bright future.
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