James Vaughan

JAMES VAUGHAN
 
James remains the Premier League’s youngest ever goalscorer after netting on his senior Everton debut against Crystal Palace in April 2005 at the age of just 16 years and 271 days. An England youth international up to Under-21 level, the Birmingham-born striker signed on with the Toffees at just nine years of age. Part of the side that played in the 2009 FA Cup final, James ended his time at Goodison Park having scored nine goals in 60 appearances but would surely have made many more but for a luckless succession of injuries. Now at Bradford City, he has also had spells at Norwich, Huddersfield, Birmingham, Sunderland and Bury.

JAMES'S TESTIMONIAL

My dream came true on 10 April 2005 when I became the youngest player to represent Everton – and the Club’s youngest goalscorer, too.

I came on as a substitute against Crystal Palace and 13 minutes later I scored in front of the Gwladys Street End! It was a great feeling. At the time I don’t think I realised the magnitude of what I had achieved. But when I look back now, it is something I can always be proud of.

Everton spotted me playing in a tournament in Preston when I was nine, so the Club was all I knew. It was hard work. We were always told, ‘give everything you have and the rest will take care of itself’. I had some brilliant coaches growing up and they all had a huge influence on my development; Sean Lundon, Neil Dewsnip and Ray Hall all helped me immensely. Everton bred into you the importance of conducting yourself well away from the pitch. That was no less a priority than performing on the pitch.

We had seen Wayne Rooney go into the first team and I was always mindful of Franny Jeffers and Danny Cadamarteri breaking through in previous seasons. You knew that at Everton, if you were good enough, no matter your age, you would get your chance. I moved up to the reserves when I was 15, then had my first-team opportunity one year later.

If you see the way I play now, it is all about the way I was raised at Everton and nurtured by the coaches. They told you to never back down, invest everything you have into your football, and the performances will come.