Watch Jordan Pickford’s furious pub brawl as England goalkeeper goes on all-day drinking binge
Friends of the £30million Everton ace, 25, pulled him away before police arrived after midnight
Friends of the £30million Everton ace, 25, pulled him away before police arrived after midnight
BOOZED-UP England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was caught up in a furious pub brawl which left a bouncer with a black eye.
Shocking video footage appears to show the Everton stopper throwing two punches following an all-day drinking binge.
Stunned onlookers watched as the 6ft 1in, £30m star became involved in an incident with a crowd of revellers.
People nearby were heard remarking: “It’s Pickford” before one yelled: “Jordan you knob”.
Cops raced to the scene but it is thought Pickford had left by the time they arrived after three his pals dragged him away from the melee.
No-one has been arrested but police have launched an investigation.
Everton boss Marco Silva and England manager Gareth Southgate will be furious that their star keeper was involved in a late-night pub brawl following a drinking session.
It is not known if Pickford was acting in self-defence.
The fracas happened in Sunderland city centre after Pickford had watched his old Black Cats teammates suffer Wembley heartache in the Checkatrade Trophy final against Portsmouth.
A source said he had been drinking with pals for most of the day.
Punters claim to have seen him park a sports car outside the River Bar in Sunderland, and driving it up and down the road before he drank.
Video clips later in the day show him looking unsteady on his feet as he continued boozing at the Ps & Qs bar in Sunderland.
And a snap shows him hugging a fan while holding a bottle of spirits with what looks like a drinks stain down his top.
A bystander told The Sun: “Jordan was being a bit of a k**b.
“He had been in the River Bar earlier that day, walking around like he was a big shot and driving around in his Lamborghini outside the front.
“They then went into Sunderland where a fight broke out. Jordan at one point had his top off and had been shouting.
Another witness added: “He was back in Sunderland and had been watching the match. He had been out all day.
“He had been out in Washington earlier and he eventually ended up in Ps and Qs. He was in the bar.
”He was with about ten people, a few of them dragged him away and put him in a taxi and took him home.”
According to witnesses, Pickford became more agitated through the night and when off-duty bouncer who was celebrating his birthday stepped in to calm him down.
He was with about ten people, a few of them dragged him away and put him in a taxi and took him home.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “At 12:19am today, police received a report of a disturbance involving a large group of individuals on Tunstall Road, Sunderland.
“Enquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and locate those involved. Nobody is believed to have been seriously injured and no arrests have been made.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 19 010419 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Pickford grew up nearby in Washington where he learned his goalkeeping skills playing with his mates on a patch of grass before being picked up by Sunderland’s Academy of Light at eight years old.
His career was nearly cut short as a youngster when he was hit by a car — twice. Luckily he avoided serious injury both times.
He became the most expensive British keeper in history following his £30million transfer from Sunderland to Everton in 2017.
And he secured his place as a national hero during last year’s World Cup run with his amazing one-handed save helping secure a historic victory against Colombia.
Jordan’s first professional signing as a keeper was with Darlington in 2012.
Spells followed at Alfreton Town, Bur ton Albion, Carlisle United , Bradford City and Preston North End.
He landed three trophies at Everton’s end -of-season awards last year when he was named Player Of The Year 2017-2018, Players’ Player Of The Year and Young Player Of The Year.
He made his international debut in November 2017 against Germany – but his mum Sue thought he was teasing her when he told her he had got his call up.
He said at the time: “I was buzzing. I said, ‘Mam, I’m going away with England, I’m going down now’. She went, ‘No, you’re not’. She thought I was winding her up. It was only a short period but being away for those two nights with the best players in the country was a massive learning experience.”
Pickford now lives in Altrincham, Cheshire, with fiancee Megan Davison, 22.
The pair met when they were 14 at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School, Washington, Tyne and Wear.
After leaving school Megan studied at Sunderland University while Jordan was learning his trade in the lower leagues.
In September Megan announced they were having a baby.
She posted on Instagram: “When two hearts become three...just can’t wait for the next chapter with my fiancee #BabyPickford.”