Neville Southall

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Southall's journey to Everton began after he was bought by manager Howard Kendall for £150,000 in the summer of 1981. To win a first-team place he had to compete with Jim McDonagh, Jim Arnold, and Martin Hodge. He made his debut in a 2–1 win over Ipswich Town in October after Arnold picked up an injury. He returned to the first-team in December, kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa, and remained an ever-present throughout the rest of the 1981–82 season. Kendall described Southall as the best goalkeeper in the First Division 'outside the big three' of Ray Clemence, Peter Shilton and Joe Corrigan. However, he began to suffer from ulcerated toes, which gave him severely swollen feet and caused him pain and discomfort throughout matches. On 6 November 1982, he conceded five goals in a 5–0 defeat to Mersey rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park. Kendall then dropped Southall as part of a shake-up at the club. He spent January and February on loan at John McGrath's Port Vale, playing nine Fourth Division games. Back at Everton, he played the last four games of the 1982–83 season after Arnold picked up an injury. Arnold was the preferred choice in goal at the start of the 1983–84 season before Southall was recalled on 1 October against Notts County. Everton had a poor start to the league campaign but excelled in cup competitions, reaching the final of both the League Cup and the FA Cup. Southall's first appearance at Wembley was in the League Cup final against Liverpool, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw; the replay was lost 1–0. He kept a clean sheet in the 1984 FA Cup final as Everton beat Watford 2–0. In the 1984–85 season, Everton won the First Division title by a 13-point margin. In the European Cup Winners' Cup, Southall conceded just one goal (from Dieter Hoeneß) throughout all eight matches, and Everton beat Rapid Wien 3–1 in the final at De Kuip. Three days later, Everton lost the 1985 FA Cup final 1–0 to Manchester United. At the end of the season, Southall was named FWA Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Everton player, second Welshman and fourth goalkeeper to win the award. After English clubs were banned from European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster, Southall remained bitter, blaming UEFA for the tragedy. Everton won the FA Charity Shield with a 2–0 win over Manchester United; during the celebrations, Southall wore a T-shirt saying 'I Love My Wife' as a symbolic gesture following tabloid stories of an alleged affair. After getting sent off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October, Kendall criticised Southall in the press by saying he 'let the lads down'. Despite this, he signed a six-year contract in December, then the longest contract the club had ever issued. However, he twisted his ankle ligaments on international duty with ten league games left to play; in his absence, Everton lost both the league title and the 1986 FA Cup final to Liverpool. Sidelined through injury at the start of the 1986–87 season, he returned against Watford in October. He was the club's Player of the Month in February and won man of the match awards in wins over Arsenal and Chelsea as Everton claimed another league title. Comparing the two title wins (1985 and 1987), Southall said the latter success was 'more rewarding'.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed down on Goodison Park, blurring the floodlights into soft halos above the Kop. Southall stood in his goal, mud splattered across his blue jersey, eyes fixed on the penalty spot. The crowd roared, a sea of white scarves and nervous energy. He took a deep breath, adjusting his gloves, knowing this moment defined more than just ninety minutes. With a sudden lunge to his right, he parried the shot away from danger, sparking an eruption of joy that echoed through the damp North West night.

Reader's Guide

The Howard Kendall era of the 1980s remains the defining chapter for modern Everton history, marking a return to domestic dominance after years of rebuilding. This period was characterized by attacking flair and defensive solidity, with Neville Southall serving as the bedrock of that stability between the posts. What defined this time was the tangible ambition to reclaim the First Division title from rivals. Under Kendall's management, Everton secured consecutive league championships in 1985 and 1987, alongside a League Cup victory. Southall’s presence provided the confidence necessary for the team to take risks upfield without fear of defensive collapse. This matters to the club’s identity because it established a benchmark for excellence that fans still reference today. It proved that Everton could compete at the highest level through homegrown talent and strategic signings alike. The era cemented Southall as a legend, ensuring his name remains etched permanently into Goodison Park folklore as a symbol of enduring loyalty and performance.

Did You Know?

• Southall made a club record 578 appearances in the English Football League and Premier League for Everton (750 in all competitions).
• He was the first Everton player, second Welshman, and fourth goalkeeper to win the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985.
• In the 1984–85 European Cup Winners' Cup, Southall conceded just one goal (from Dieter Hoeneß) throughout all eight matches.
• After getting sent off against Chelsea in October 1985, manager Howard Kendall said Southall 'let the lads down'.
• During the 1985 FA Charity Shield celebrations, Southall wore a T-shirt saying 'I Love My Wife' as a symbolic gesture following tabloid stories of an alleged affair.