JORDAN PICKFORD

Treats and tough love

SHE cheered in the crowd as her son propelled himself to national hero status, but back when Jordan Pickford, 24, was an aspiring weekend player, Sue (right) provided vital backroom support.

When the keeper set off for training (he joined Sunderland’s Academy, aged eight), his mum supplied Tupperware containers of chicken and pasta. And Sue, 4 , who until recently worked at her son’s former school, St Robert of Newminster Catholic School, in Sunderland, was a touchline supporter with builder dad Lee.

Coach Mark Prudhoe recalled an occasion where a truculent nine-year-old Jordan started kicking the goalposts and having a tantrum after conceding a goal.

‘His mam came and gave him a little clip, to tell him to stop being a baby,’ he said.

The England star holds no hard feelings!