It was on 15th June 2017 that Everton signed Jordan Pickford for an astonishing £25 million fee that could potentially reach to £30 million in add-ons. The move was a historic one, as it made him the most expensive British goalkeeper in football history.
Despite the monstrous price-tag, Pickford has established himself as a success for the Toffees with his splendid performances throughout the years. He has been a part of Everton for the past 7 years, and has won their Player of the Season award on multiple occasions.
This article will be looking at another British goalkeeper that played for Everton, one whose story will take us back to the 1890's era of football.
Let us look back at the career of John Angus, the youngster who became an Everton legend in his one and only season with the club.
Everton's new goalkeeper signing
The Toffees signed 23-year-old Scottish goalkeeper John Angus from Sunderland Albion in 1890, with the news being announced in the Liverpool Mercury newspaper on 7th April. Angus made his unofficial debut against English side Bootle in a pre-season friendly. He lodged with the Williams family and fellow Everton player and Scot, Alex Lochhead, at 6 Skerries Road. This area was adjacent to the Anfield ground where Everton were playing at the time. However, an eventual fallout forced them to move to what we now know as Goodison Park in 1892.
His one and only campaign with Everton
Angus shortly made his full debut for Everton, which had established stars such as Johnny Holt, Fred Geary and Edgar Chadwick at the time. The match was the opening game of the 1890/91 season, as the Toffees managed to overcome West Bromwich Albion 4-1.
In the weeks that followed, Angus, with his terrific heroics in front of goal, led Everton to the top of the Division 1 table. The Merseyside club won their next 4 games, that too by an astonishing 19-1 aggregate score that showcased their outstanding form at the time.
This was followed by a dip in form, as Everton only managed to win one of their next 4 games. Angus was eventually replaced in goal by teammate Bob Smalley For Everton's game against Blackburn. However, he managed to regain his place in Everton's next match against Sunderland. Angus managed to keep a clean sheet in that game, as Everton beat Sunderland 1-0 to return back to the table top.
The following match against title challengers Preston was his final appearance of that season. Everton lost the fixture 2-0, and Angus received a kick to his knee during the match that resulted in injury.
This unfortunate incident led to fellow Scot David Jardine taking his place for Everton's next home game against Blackburn. Jardine would keep his place for the remaining ten league fixtures, as he helped Everton clinch their first ever League title.
The efforts of Angus were unforgettable in this triumph as well, with the Scotsman's brilliant heroics during the earlier games being pivotal in helping Everton achieve this historic feat.
Upon his return, Angus made his final Everton appearance, in what was the club's sole F.A. Cup tie that season. Despite a brilliant performance by Angus, Everton suffered a 1–0 defeat against Sunderland.
A heartbreaking ending
Newly-crowned English Champs Everton began their 1891/92 season title defense against West Brom, which ended in a shocking 4-0 loss for the Merseyside club. However, the terrible news that came after what overshadowed everything else.
The Liverpool Mercury magazine reported that Everton goalkeeper John Angus died at his father's residence. He suffered from typhoid fever during his close season at home, and his condition gradually became worse, until he sadly expired. Football lost one of its most brightest stars at a young age, but the legacy of John Angus will forever live on till eternity.
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