Wind, weird bounces, dumb luck – Fulltime Herald takes a peek at the iconic moments when goalkeepers scored from their own half
It was legal for goalkeepers to score by throwing the ball directly into the opponent’s goal until 2019. Since then, if a goalie throws the ball and it goes directly into the opposing net, the opposing team are given a goal kick. Unless it touches another player on its way in.
That’s too bad. More than a few fans might have been holding out for a hyper-Delap-style goalkeeper to come along and make everyone’s Saturday.
That said, we’ve seen goalkeepers deliver entertaining acts – assist strikers, act as deep-lying playmakers, charge forward to score dramatic headers in stoppage time.
But has anyone ever actually scored from their own half? Well, yes.
Let’s preface this by mentioning that goalkeepers can legally score in open play from a goal kick, a drop kick, or a clearance. And it has happened a few times in professional football.
Paul Robinson (Tottenham vs Watford, 2007)
In 2007 a seemingly innocuous free kick launched by Paul Robinson from deep in Tottenham’s half skipped past Ben Foster and into the net.
Both men were contending for the No 1 spot on the England team at the time, with Robinson preferred. The goal certainly didn’t help Foster’s case. Bet you loved that didn’t you, Paul?
Tim Howard (Everton vs Bolton, 2012)
A gusty night at Goodison Park saw Tim Howard launch a routine clearance from his own penalty area. One wicked bounce later, the wind helped it fly over Bolton’s Adam Bogdan.
Howard refused to celebrate, out of respect for his goalkeeping counterpart.
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City vs Southampton, 2013)
Just 13 seconds into the game against Southampton, Begovic’s long punt from 100 yards took a huge bounce and caught Artur Boruc off guard.
It was officially recognised by Guinness World Records at the time as the longest goal ever scored, before being overthrown by Tom King’s effort for Newport County against Cheltenham Town in 2021.
Tom King (Newport County vs Cheltenham Town, 2021)
King’s powerful goalkick caught a favourable bounce (not again) and drifted into the Cheltenham goal.
It broke Begovic’s 2013 record to become the longest goal in football history from 105 yards. King was left with the weird feeling of being “absolutely delighted” for the rare achievement but also vowing to “never celebrate” out of respect for fellow goalie Joshua Griffiths who conceded the goal.
And you thought the English game wasn’t the best in the world.
