TheFA.com

Rooney climbs list

  • Wednesday, 20 June, 2012
  • Wayne Rooney strikes the ball against Ukraine.
  • Wayne Rooney in action against Ukraine.
  • England's Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal against Ukraine.
  • England's Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal against Ukraine.
  • Roy Hodgson and Wayne Rooney

The Manchester United striker is England’s joint-eighth top scorer

By David Barber

Wayne Rooney’s goal that won the points against co-hosts Ukraine last night was his 29th for England and took him up to joint eighth in the all-time list of England scorers.

Rooney is still England’s youngest scorer, having found the net in a Euro 2004 Qualifier in Macedonia in September 2003 at the age of 17 years 317 days. David Beckham notched the other goal in a 2-1 England victory.

Rooney, who missed the first two Group D fixtures of EURO 2012 through suspension, shares eighth place with Vivian Woodward.

Woodward was an architect by profession and played football as an amateur. He helped Tottenham Hotspur to win promotion to the old First Division in 1908-09 and subsequently figured in the Chelsea side that regained First Division status in 1911-12.

He scored twice on his England debut against Ireland in 1903 and amassed his 29-goal haul in just 23 internationals. He hit four goals in matches against Austria and Hungary.

One more England goal for Rooney will catapult the Manchester United striker to joint fifth in the all-time list. He will be level on 30 with Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse and Alan Shearer.

The list…

1. Bobby Charlton (1958-70) – 49 goals
2. Gary Lineker (1984-92) – 48
3. Jimmy Greaves (1959-67) – 44
4. Michael Owen (1998-2008) – 40
5. Tom Finney (1946-58) – 30
=  Nat Lofthouse (1950-58) – 30
=  Alan Shearer (1992-2000) – 30
8. Vivian Woodward (1903-11) – 29
=  WAYNE ROONEY (2003-present) – 29

What Do You Think?

  • Rooney hasn't played well for England in a major competition since he was a teenager. The only guarantee is that he will always disappoint - he is not of international quality but he does OK when playing for one of the best club teams in the world against lesser oposition. Hopefully he will be dropped and will score no more goals for England. Carrol and Walcott up front please! Walcott was wide open against Ukraine a couple of times yet his team mates chose not to pass to him. He is lighning fast, makes Milner look like my granny, give him the through balls and the opportunity to move down the wing. Everyone gets excited when he has the ball. Carroll's has the stature and works so much harder than the bumbling Rooney.By anonymous (11 months ago)