Sports SpeakersNeville Southall MBE is a former Everton and Wales Goalkeeper.
Southall was one of the greatest goalkeepers of his time.
He was a mainstay of the Everton and Wales team for over a decade, before moving into management.
Born and bred in Llandudno, he originally played centre back for his school team and Llandudno Swifts.
Neville Southall had unsuccessful trials for both Crewe Alexander and Bolton as a teenager. Therefore he started his working life as a builder, playing for Conwy United, Bangor City and Winsford before being bought by Bury.
He was later spotted by Howard Kendall, one of Everton’s most successful managers, and transferred to Goodison Park for £150,000 in 1981.
Neville was placed on loan to Port Vale for a few months, before he eventually made the No.1 Everton shirt his own.
He helped the Blues win the League Championship in 1985 and 1987, the FA Cup in 1984 and 1995 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1985.
Additionally, in 1985 Southall was voted Player of the Year by the Football Writers Association.
By the time he played his last game for Everton in November 1997, he had broken the club’s record for appearances, having played in 750 matches.
Furthermore, Neville Southall broke records as one of the most capped Welsh players, making 93 appearances for his country during the 1980s and 1990s.
After his football career, Neville Southall had coaching experience with the Welsh national squad, Dagenham and Redbridge, Dover Athletic, Canvey Island and Molesey before finally going into management at Hastings United in 2004 until 2005.
