Skip to main content
FourFourTwo FourFourTwo FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES, QUIZZES
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of 대한민국
대한민국
flag of Türkiye
Türkiye
  • Soccer Cleat Buying Guides
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Video
  • Features
  • Quizzes
  • Clubs
  • More
    • Interviews
    • The Magazine Archive
    • Subscribe
    • Lists
    • How to watch
    • About
FourFourTwo Magazine
FourFourTwo Magazine
Why subscribe?
  • Fascinating feature articles, covering everything from grass-roots football to the international scene
  • 'ACCESS ALL AREAS' pass to exclusive interviews with the biggest and best names in the game!
From$29.99
Subscribe now
Trending
  • WATCH the UCL
  • Transfers
  • Interviews
  • Messi
  • Ronaldo
  • EPL
Recommended reading
David Beckham of England in action during the international friendly match between Spain and England on November 17, 2004 at the Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.
Quiz Quiz! Can you name England's all-time appearance makers since 1990?
Ranked! The 20 best Premier League strikers ever
Stories Ranked! The 20 best Premier League strikers ever
Quiz Quiz! Can you name every English player nominated for the Ballon d'Or since 2000?
Wayne Rooney reacts after scoring for England against Switzerland at Euro 2004.
Quiz Quiz! Can you name every England player to have been to three or more tournaments?
Alan Shearer
Quiz Quiz! Can you name the top 100 scorers in Premier League history?
England goalkeeper David Seaman at Euro 96
Stories “I never faced anybody that had what I call ‘disguised power’ as much as him. I saved his free-kicks in training and felt the ball almost forcing my hands open” David Seaman on David Beckham’s hidden attributes
Harry Maguire
Quiz Quiz! Can you name every Manchester United player to go to a major tournament with England?
  1. Features

Ranked! The 50 highest goalscorers in England history

By Alasdair Mackenzie published 15 November 2021

The most clinical footballers ever to pull on the Three Lions shirt

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Pride of England

The Pride of England

England's goalscoring record was 49 goals - and it was a record that stood for 45 years.

Plenty tried to hit the half-century and many came close. But one man reached the tally just a few years ago, getting to 53 in his career: more on him later in this list.

And actually, there are more than 50 players on this list, too - because over the years several England internationals have become tied on the same number of goals. But we’ve put together the definitive list of the most clinical footballers ever to pull on the Three Lions shirt – a collection spanning three centuries...

Page 1 of 59
Page 1 of 59
49= Paul Gascoigne

49= Paul Gascoigne

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 10

Page 2 of 59
Page 2 of 59
49= Ron Flowers

49= Ron Flowers

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 10

Page 3 of 59
Page 3 of 59
49= Joe Cole

49= Joe Cole

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 10

Page 4 of 59
Page 4 of 59
49= Allan Clarke

49= Allan Clarke

Position: Forward

Goals: 10

Page 5 of 59
Page 5 of 59
49= Franny Lee

49= Franny Lee

Position: Forward

Goals: 10

Page 6 of 59
Page 6 of 59
49= Eric Brook

49= Eric Brook

Position: Forward

Goals: 10

Page 7 of 59
Page 7 of 59
49= Dennis Wilshaw

49= Dennis Wilshaw

Position: Forward

Goals: 10

Page 8 of 59
Page 8 of 59
49= Jackie Milburn

49= Jackie Milburn

Position: Striker

Goals: 10

Page 9 of 59
Page 9 of 59
49= John Barnes

49= John Barnes

Position: Winger

Goals: 10

Page 10 of 59
Page 10 of 59
43= Gilbert Smith

43= Gilbert Smith

Position: Forward

Goals: 11

Page 11 of 59
Page 11 of 59
43= Teddy Sheringham

43= Teddy Sheringham

Position: Striker

Goals: 11

Page 12 of 59
Page 12 of 59
43= Stanley Matthews

43= Stanley Matthews

Position: Forward

Goals: 11

Page 13 of 59
Page 13 of 59
43= Wilf Mannion

43= Wilf Mannion

Position: Forward

Goals: 11

Page 14 of 59
Page 14 of 59
43= John Goodall

43= John Goodall

Position: Forward

Goals: 11

Page 15 of 59
Page 15 of 59
43= Bryan Douglas

43= Bryan Douglas

Position: Forward

Goals: 11

Page 16 of 59
Page 16 of 59
38= Trevor Francis

38= Trevor Francis

Position: Forward

Goals: 12

Page 17 of 59
Page 17 of 59
38= Fred Dewhurst

38= Fred Dewhurst

Position: Forward

Goals: 12

Page 18 of 59
Page 18 of 59
38= Cliff Bastin

38= Cliff Bastin

Position: Winger

Goals: 12

Page 19 of 59
Page 19 of 59
38= Charlie Bambridge

38= Charlie Bambridge

Position: Forward

Goals: 12

Page 20 of 59
Page 20 of 59
38= Marcus Rashford
(Image credit: PA)

38= Marcus Rashford

Position: Forward

Goals: 12

Page 21 of 59
Page 21 of 59
34= Tinsley Lindley

34= Tinsley Lindley

Position: Forward

Goals: 13

Page 22 of 59
Page 22 of 59
34= Bobby Smith

34= Bobby Smith

Position: Forward

Goals: 13

Page 23 of 59
Page 23 of 59
34= Martin Chivers

34= Martin Chivers

Position: Forward

Goals: 13

Page 24 of 59
Page 24 of 59
34= Paul Mariner

34= Paul Mariner

Position: Striker

Goals: 13

Page 25 of 59
Page 25 of 59
32= Paul Scholes

32= Paul Scholes

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 14

Page 26 of 59
Page 26 of 59
32= George Hilsdon

32= George Hilsdon

Position: Striker

Goals: 14

Page 27 of 59
Page 27 of 59
29= Tony Woodcock

29= Tony Woodcock

Position: Striker

Goals: 16

Page 28 of 59
Page 28 of 59
29= Danny Welbeck

29= Danny Welbeck

Position: Striker

Goals: 16

Page 29 of 59
Page 29 of 59
29= Tommy Taylor

29= Tommy Taylor

Position: Forward

Goals: 16

Page 30 of 59
Page 30 of 59
28. David Beckham

28. David Beckham

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 17

Page 31 of 59
Page 31 of 59
24= Roger Hunt

24= Roger Hunt

Position: Striker

Goals: 18

Page 32 of 59
Page 32 of 59
24= Raheem Sterling

24= Raheem Sterling

Position: Forward

Goals: 18

Page 33 of 59
Page 33 of 59
24= Johnny Haynes

24= Johnny Haynes

Position: Forward

Goals: 18

Page 34 of 59
Page 34 of 59
24= Dixie Dean

24= Dixie Dean

Position: Striker

Goals: 18

Page 35 of 59
Page 35 of 59
24= George Camsell

24= George Camsell

Position: Striker

Goals: 18

Page 36 of 59
Page 36 of 59
22= Martin Peters

22= Martin Peters

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 20

Page 37 of 59
Page 37 of 59
22= Jermain Defoe

22= Jermain Defoe

Position: Striker

Goals: 20

Page 38 of 59
Page 38 of 59
19= Kevin Keegan

19= Kevin Keegan

Position: Forward

Goals: 21

Page 39 of 59
Page 39 of 59
19= Steven Gerrard

19= Steven Gerrard

Position: Midfiellder

Goals: 21

Page 40 of 59
Page 40 of 59
19= Mick Channon

19= Mick Channon

Position: Forward

Goals: 21

Page 41 of 59
Page 41 of 59
17= Tommy Lawton

17= Tommy Lawton

Position: Striker

Goals: 22

Page 42 of 59
Page 42 of 59
17= Peter Crouch

17= Peter Crouch

Position: Striker

Goals: 22

Page 43 of 59
Page 43 of 59
16. Stan Mortensen

16. Stan Mortensen

Position: Forward

Goals: 23

Page 44 of 59
Page 44 of 59
15. Geoff Hurst

15. Geoff Hurst

Position: Striker

Goals: 24

Page 45 of 59
Page 45 of 59
13= Bryan Robson

13= Bryan Robson

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 26

Page 46 of 59
Page 46 of 59
12= David Platt

12= David Platt

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 27

Page 47 of 59
Page 47 of 59
11= Vivian Woodward

11= Vivian Woodward

Position: Forward

Goals: 28

Page 48 of 59
Page 48 of 59
11= Steve Bloomer

11= Steve Bloomer

Position: Forward

Goals: 28

Page 49 of 59
Page 49 of 59
10. Frank Lampard

10. Frank Lampard

Position: Midfielder

Goals: 29

Page 50 of 59
Page 50 of 59
7= Alan Shearer

7= Alan Shearer

Position: Striker

Goals: 30

Page 51 of 59
Page 51 of 59
7= Nat Lofthouse

7= Nat Lofthouse

Position: Striker

Goals: 30

Page 52 of 59
Page 52 of 59
7= Tom Finney

7= Tom Finney

Position: Winger

Goals: 30

Page 53 of 59
Page 53 of 59
6= Michael Owen

6= Michael Owen

Position: Striker

Goals: 40

Page 54 of 59
Page 54 of 59
4. Harry Kane

4. Harry Kane

Position: Striker

Goals: 44

Page 55 of 59
Page 55 of 59
4. Jimmy Greaves

4. Jimmy Greaves

Position: Forward

Goals: 44

Page 56 of 59
Page 56 of 59
3. Gary Lineker

3. Gary Lineker

Position: Striker

Goals: 48

Page 57 of 59
Page 57 of 59
2. Bobby Charlton

2. Bobby Charlton

Position: Striker/Midfielder

Goals: 49

Page 58 of 59
Page 58 of 59
1. Wayne Rooney

1. Wayne Rooney

Position: Striker

Goals: 53 

Page 59 of 59
Page 59 of 59
Alasdair Mackenzie

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio. 

Read more
David Beckham of England in action during the international friendly match between Spain and England on November 17, 2004 at the Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.
Quiz! Can you name England's all-time appearance makers since 1990?
Ranked! The 20 best Premier League strikers ever
Ranked! The 20 best Premier League strikers ever
Quiz! Can you name every English player nominated for the Ballon d'Or since 2000?
Wayne Rooney reacts after scoring for England against Switzerland at Euro 2004.
Quiz! Can you name every England player to have been to three or more tournaments?
Alan Shearer
Quiz! Can you name the top 100 scorers in Premier League history?
England goalkeeper David Seaman at Euro 96
“I never faced anybody that had what I call ‘disguised power’ as much as him. I saved his free-kicks in training and felt the ball almost forcing my hands open” David Seaman on David Beckham’s hidden attributes
Latest in Lists
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time: Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England.
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time
Best football adverts
The 14 best football adverts EVER
Football Manager 2026 wonderkids
Football Manager 2026 wonderkids: The FM26 young stars we predict for the game
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time: Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England.
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Laura Woods, TNT Sports presenter before the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on January 30, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Women's Euro 2025: Who are the ITV presenters, pundits and commentators?
BBC Sport Presenter, Alex Scott, reacts prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Everton and Manchester City at Walton Hall Park on December 15, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Women's Euro 2025: Who are the BBC presenters, pundits and commentators?
Latest in Features
The 100 most expensive transfers EVER: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
The 100 most expensive transfers EVER
Jacob Ramsey at his Newcastle unveiling
'The way he is in the media is totally different to the way he is on the training pitch' Eddie Howe stalwart reveals what Newcastle United signing Jacob Ramsey can expect from new boss
Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
Why Pep Guardiola has already solved Manchester City's midfield problem - and made them potential title favourites once more
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth, August 2025
'It's hard' Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson's words of warning leaves Arne Slot much to ponder
Benjamin Sesko has arrived at Old Trafford among a raft of attacking signings
Is Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko available this weekend? Premier League injury latest with Viktor Gyokeres and Josko Gvardiol updates
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on September 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
'I had my bags packed, I called my mom crying, telling her, I quit. I can’t do this anymore' Alexis Mac Allister reveals how close he came to missing Liverpool transfer
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojund looks to be on his way out at Old Trafford
    1
    Premier League club offer lifeline to Manchester United man Rasmus Hojlund: report
  2. 2
    Why Eberechi Eze's free-kick vs Chelsea was ruled out during Crystal Palace stalemate
  3. 3
    Liverpool agree their next transfer, with forward on the move: report
  4. 4
    Everything Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said in Andre Onana rant following Arsenal defeat
  5. 5
    Newcastle United looking to close move for PSG star as shock Alexander Isak replacement: report

FourFourTwo is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About FourFourTwo
  • Advertise with us
  • Worldwide
  • How to pitch to FourFourTwo

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...