Skip to main content
Join The Club
- Join our community
17
Member Features
24/7
Access Available
5K+
Active Members
Live Q&A Sessions
Weekly interactive sessions
Member Competitions
Win exclusive prizes
Exclusive Content
Premium articles & videos
Early Access
First to see new features
Exclusive Newsletters
Football news direct to your inbox
Monthly Rewards
Surprise gifts & perks
GET CLUB ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your football news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get Club Access Quick

Join The Club for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation plus sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to Fourfourtwo club !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Complete 1 quiz to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Football Quizzes

Football Quizzes

Quick quizzes for football fans.

Read Now
Football Crosswords

Football Crosswords

Football-themed crossword challenges.

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Find the subscription that suits you

Find the subscription that suits you

As a member of FourFourTwo we can offer you an extra 20% off when you subscribe to our magazine with voucher code FFTMEMBER20

Explore

Sign Out
FourFourTwo FourFourTwo FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES, QUIZZES
UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia US EditionUS CA EditionCanada KR Edition대한민국 TR EditionTürkiye
Subscribe
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Soccer Cleat Buying Guides
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Video
  • Features
  • Quizzes
  • Clubs
  • Membership
  • More
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
    • The Magazine Archive
    • Subscribe
    • How to Watch
    • About
    • Lists
Trending
  • 📆 Football fixtures: Every game in every competition
  • 🇵🇹 Ronaldo
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL
  • 🎤 Interviews
  • 🤝 Transfers
  • 🇦🇷 Messi
  1. Team

Ranked! The 50 highest goalscorers in England history

Features
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
Harry Kane of England celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium.
Quiz Quiz! Can you name every England player with 10+ goals?
 
 
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?
 
 
England goalkeeper Peter Shilton at the 1986 World Cup
Quiz Quiz! Can you name every England player with over 50 caps?
 
 
Harry Kane
Team Which England players have appeared at the most major tournaments?
 
 
Geoff Hurst scores England's controversial third goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final.
Player ‘The closest England striker compared to me, in terms of style? I’d have to pick out Alan Shearer’ Sir Geoff Hurst compares himself to the Three Lions greats that succeeded him at later World Cups
 
 
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri
Competition Top scorers in World Cup history
 
 
Latest in Team
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23:  Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Team Liverpool's midfield issue is clear and signing new wingers isn't going to solve it
 
 
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Curtis Jones #17 of Liverpool dribble the ball during a friendly match against Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Team Liverpool’s Scouse identity is at risk after Curtis Jones exit
 
 
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool cant stop Joe Willock of Newcastle United scoring 2nd goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Team Liverpool youngster reveals Newcastle United intimidation after St. James' Park baptism
 
 
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Anton Stach of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Nottingham Forest FC and Leeds United at City Ground on August 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Team Leeds United transfer failure is latest indicator of possible top 10 Premier League finish
 
 
Tottenham players applaud away support at full time during the Premier League match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium in London, United Kingdom, on August 22, 2026. (Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Team Tottenham looked like strangers at Brentford — Roberto De Zerbi must find a solution
 
 
Jack Clarke of Ipswich Town celebrates a scoring his team's second goal with Kasey McAteer in the Premier League match against Sunderland at Portman Road on August 22, 2026 in Ipswich, United Kingdom
Team Here's why Ipswich Town can avoid becoming a yo-yo club
 
 
Latest in Features
ERZURUM, TURKIYE - AUGUST 21: Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring a goal during Turkish Super Lig Week 2 match between Erzurumspor FK and Galatasaray at Kazim Karabekir Stadium, on August 21, 2026 in Erzurum, Turkiye. (Photo by Muhammed Onur Yavruturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Transfer Victor Osimhen is an expensive risk Tottenham Hotspur should be taking this summer
 
 
Savio celebrating after scoring for Tottenham on Wednesday against Charlton
Competition Watch Tottenham vs Newcastle: Live Streams and TV info
 
 
FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword
Quiz FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 68: Thrillers, Millers and stonecold killers
 
 
FFT395.feat_managers_a.gettyimages_2289222973
Coaches & Managers How Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle made his name as Asia's Brian Clough
 
 
Isaac Price of West Bromwich Albion celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 with Jimmy-Jay Morgan during the Sky Bet Championship 2026/27 match against Burnley at The Hawthorns on August 23, 2026
Competition Watch Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion: Free Streams
 
 
Michael Olise of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München at Signal Iduna Park on August 22, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany.
Competition How to watch Bayern Munich vs VFB Stuttgart: Free Streams
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 6: West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at London Stadium on January 6, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
    1
    “Harry Redknapp was right. Agents have had West Ham’s pants down over the years. The club have only acted when weakness is exposed” Tony Gale on where the Hammers have fallen short in the transfer window
  2. 2
    “If we’re having a stinker, I’m not going to scream and shout at the lads. Those days are gone” Matt Grimes on maturing as a leader at Coventry City
  3. 3
    How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United: Free Streams & TV Channels as both sides bid for first Premier League win
  4. 4
    “Beating Fulham was one of the best nights of my career. I took my shirt off and threw myself onto the turf as if it were a swimming pool” Diego Forlan on his 2010 Europa League success
  5. 5
    Can I watch Bournemouth vs Everton on TV? Streaming info for 3pm Premier League clash today

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

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • 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...