BBC Goal of the Season explained

In English football, the Goal of the Season is an annual competition and award given on BBC's Match of the Day, in honour of the most spectacular goal scored that season. It is typically contested between the winners of the preceding ten Goals of the Month, although the goal can and has come from any game in the regular season, including international qualifiers and friendlies—potentially from the opening league games of the season to the end of the European season UEFA Champions League final. In several instances, the goal has come in the final game of the domestic season, the FA Cup final, the most recent example of which is Steven Gerrard's last-minute goal in 2006. However, in 1980–81, for example, the superb goal scored by Ricky Villa in the FA Cup final replay for Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester City could not be considered as voting had already taken place.[1]

In general, the winning goal has occurred for an English side within the domestic English league or cups, although there are no particular rules; Kenny Dalglish's goal in 1982–83 for Scotland being an exception. The goal usually comes from competitions to which the BBC holds television rights and which are shown under the Match of the Day banner; at present Premier League highlights and FA Cup live matches and highlights, although some have come from the equivalent Sportscene broadcast by BBC Scotland. Due to the lack of BBC European club football coverage, held predominantly by ITV, Sky and BT Sport, no goal of the season has ever been scored in European club competition despite many contenders.

Due to a transfer of broadcast rights, the entries for the 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons were decided on ITV's The Premiership, which have been subsequently recognised by the BBC. When the BBC previously could not show league footage from 1988–89 to 1991–92, the winning goal in each season was scored in the FA Cup which they held the rights to. League rights holder ITV had its own competition during these seasons for Goal of the Season, broadcast on the Saint and Greavsie show. Previously the channels had shared league and cup rights (showing different matches to each other) and for many years ITV broadcast its own Golden Goals competition as an equivalent of Goal of the Season. From 2013–14 season onwards, the Goal of the Season has been chosen by a Twitter poll and the BBC Sport website.

Jack Wilshere is the first player to win Goal of the Season in consecutive seasons (2013–14 and 2014–15) since the start of the Premier League[2] and is only the second player overall to have achieved this after John Aldridge, who won the award in both 1987–88 and 1988–89 (which pre-dated the Premier League era) seasons. Wayne Rooney is the only player to achieve this accolade for two different competitions (FA Cup and Premier League), as well as the only player to receive the award three times. The 1987–88 competition was unique in that all 10 goals shortlisted were scored by Liverpool players. To date, this is the only occasion where the contenders were made up entirely of goals scored by players for one club.

For several years in the late 2000s, the winner was not subject to public vote due to the 2007 phone-in scandals. The winning goal was instead decided by pundits in the studio.

List of winners

Source[3]

SeasonScorerNationalityForAgainstStadiumCompetitionDateCommentatorNotes
1970–71Coventry CityEvertonHighfield RoadFirst Division3 October 1970[4]
1971–72Hereford UnitedNewcastle UnitedEdgar StreetFA Cup5 February 1972[5]
1972–73ChelseaArsenalStamford BridgeFA Cup17 March 1973
1973–74FulhamLeicester CityCraven CottageFA Cup26 January 1974[6]
1974–75BlackpoolSunderlandBloomfield RoadSecond Division1 February 1975[7]
1975–76Queens Park RangersLiverpoolLoftus RoadFirst Division16 August 1975[8]
1976–77LiverpoolEvertonMaine RoadFA Cup23 April 1977[9]
1977–78Nottingham ForestArsenalCity GroundFirst Division21 January 1978
1978–79LiverpoolDerby CountyBaseball GroundFirst Division24 February 1979
1979–80Norwich CityLiverpoolCarrow RoadFirst Division9 February 1980[10]
1980–81Aston VillaEvertonGoodison ParkFirst Division7 February 1981[11]
1981–82West Bromwich AlbionNorwich CityThe HawthornsFA Cup13 February 1982[12] [13]
1982–83ScotlandBelgiumHeysel Stadium, BrusselsEuro 1984 qualifying15 December 1982[14]
1983–84SouthamptonLiverpoolThe DellFirst Division16 March 1984[15]
1984–85EvertonLiverpoolAnfieldFirst Division20 October 1984[16]
1985–86EnglandIsraelTel AvivFriendly26 February 1986
1986–87Coventry CityTottenham HotspurWembley StadiumFA Cup16 May 1987[17]
1987–88LiverpoolNottingham ForestHillsboroughFA Cup9 April 1988
1988–89LiverpoolEvertonWembley StadiumFA Cup20 May 1989
1989–90Crystal PalaceManchester UnitedWembley StadiumFA Cup12 May 1990
1990–91Tottenham HotspurArsenalWembley StadiumFA Cup14 April 1991
1991–92WrexhamArsenalRacecourse GroundFA Cup4 January 1992[18]
1992–93Aston VillaWimbledonSelhurst ParkPremier League3 October 1992[19]
1993–94Leeds UnitedTottenham HotspurElland RoadPremier League17 April 1994[20]
1994–95SouthamptonBlackburn RoversEwood ParkPremier League10 December 1994[21] [22]
1995–96Leeds UnitedWimbledonSelhurst ParkPremier League23 September 1995
1996–97Queens Park RangersBarnsleyLoftus RoadFA Cup25 January 1997
1997–98ArsenalLeicester CityFilbert StreetPremier League27 August 1997[23]
1998–99Manchester UnitedArsenalVilla ParkFA Cup14 April 1999
1999–2000West Ham UnitedWimbledonUpton ParkPremier League26 March 2000[24]
2000–01Charlton AthleticLeicester CityThe ValleyPremier League1 April 2001[25]
2001–02ArsenalNewcastle UnitedSt James' ParkPremier League2 March 2002
2002–03ArsenalTottenham HotspurHighburyPremier League16 November 2002[26]
2003–04LiverpoolPortsmouthAnfieldPremier League17 March 2004[27]
2004–05Manchester UnitedMiddlesbroughOld TraffordFA Cup29 January 2005[28]
2005–06LiverpoolWest Ham UnitedMillennium StadiumFA Cup13 May 2006[29]
2006–07Manchester UnitedBolton WanderersOld TraffordPremier League17 March 2007[30]
2007–08ArsenalTottenham HotspurWhite Hart LanePremier League15 September 2007[31]
2008–09PortsmouthHull CityFratton ParkPremier League22 November 2008[32]
2009–10Wigan AthleticStoke CityBritannia StadiumPremier League12 December 2009[33]
2010–11Manchester UnitedManchester CityOld TraffordPremier League12 February 2011[34]
2011–12Newcastle UnitedChelseaStamford BridgePremier League2 May 2012[35]
2012–13Manchester UnitedAston VillaOld TraffordPremier League22 April 2013
2013–14ArsenalNorwich CityEmirates StadiumPremier League19 October 2013[36]
2014–15ArsenalWest Bromwich AlbionEmirates StadiumPremier League24 May 2015
2015–16Tottenham HotspurCrystal PalaceSelhurst ParkPremier League23 January 2016[37]
2016–17LiverpoolWatfordVicarage RoadPremier League1 May 2017[38]
2017–18Leicester CityWest Bromwich AlbionThe HawthornsPremier League10 March 2018[39]
2018–19Manchester CityLeicester CityEtihad StadiumPremier League6 May 2019[40]
scope=row2019–20Son Heung-minTottenham HotspurBurnleyTottenham Hotspur StadiumPremier League7 December 2019[41]
scope=row2020–21Erik LamelaTottenham HotspurArsenalEmirates StadiumPremier League14 March 2021[42]
scope=row2021–22Mohamed SalahLiverpoolManchester CityAnfieldPremier League3 October 2021[43]
scope=row2022–23Julio EncisoBrighton & Hove AlbionManchester CityFalmer StadiumPremier League24 May 2023[44]
scope=row2023–24Alejandro GarnachoManchester UnitedEvertonGoodison ParkPremier League26 Nov 2023[45]

Multiple awards won by player

The following table lists the number of wins by players who have at least two goals named as BBC Goal of the Season.

AwardsPlayerCountrySeasons
32004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11
2 Ireland1987–88, 1988–89
Netherlands1997–98, 2001–02
2013–14, 2014–15

Awards won by nationality

CountryPlayersTotal
2428
23
23
33
22
22
22
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11

2014–15 Goal of the Season controversy

On 24 May 2015, the final day of the 2014–15 season, Match of the Day held an online vote at around 11 pm GMT for the Goal of the Season award. Users were able to vote via the BBC website or Twitter. The poll was quickly skewed by Arsenal supporters, many from the Far East, resulting in Jack Wilshere winning the award for his final day strike against West Bromwich Albion, despite not being the favourite.[46] Host Gary Lineker expressed surprise as he read out the winner, and pundit Alan Shearer suggested that Charlie Adam should have won the award for his 66-yard effort against Chelsea, while fellow pundit Danny Murphy felt former Fulham teammate Bobby Zamora should have won.

The incident was labelled a "shambles" by Pete Smith of The Stoke Sentinel[47] who also thought Stoke's Adam should have won, and a "concerted campaign by Arsenal fans" by Alan Pattullo of The Scotsman,[48] who also felt the Scottish midfielder was deserving of the award. Mark Brus, of Caught Offside, also criticized the choice arguing that a goal in a meaningless game should not have won Goal of the Season and that Juan Mata's acrobatic effort against Liverpool was worthy of the award.[49]

The following season, before the final episode of that season's Match of the Day, the programme's producers changed the rules to prevent a similar situation. The Goal of the Season award has since been decided by the pundits on the show, who will choose the winner based on the top three goals voted for by the public.[50]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Match of the Day: 25 Years of Goal of the Season video (1995, voiced by John Motson)
  2. News: MOTD Live Poll. BBC Sport . 25 May 2015.
  3. Web site: BBC Goal of the Season from 1970–71 to Present. My Football Facts. 30 July 2015.
  4. Web site: The Joy of Six: Training-ground set-piece goals. 28 January 2011. 16 December 2011. Murray. Scott. The Guardian.
  5. Motson (2005), p. 19.
  6. Web site: Top five thunderbolt strikes of all time. 17 April 2009. 16 December 2011. The Telegraph.
  7. Bradford (2006), p. 480.
  8. Web site: Vote for your greatest QPR goal!. 31 March 2010. 16 December 2011. Queens Park Rangers.
  9. Motson (2010), p. 91.
  10. Clough (2009), p. 231.
  11. Web site: Villa's Fab 50 top player countdown: 21 Tony Morley. 5 July 2011. 16 December 2011. Aston Villa. https://web.archive.org/web/20110903102336/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2386510,00.html. 3 September 2011. dead.
  12. Web site: Albion legends – Cyrille Regis. 15 January 2008. 16 December 2011. Lepkowski. Chris. Birmingham Mail.
  13. Web site: Cyrille Regis: An Iconic Footballer Tells His Story. 15 January 2011. 16 December 2011. Cross Rhythms.
  14. Web site: The 10 goals of the season in the 1980s . . 28 December 2020 . 9 September 2014 . Steven . Pye.
  15. Web site: FA Cup semi crackers, great cricket spats and the best BMX stunt ever. 14 April 2011. 16 December 2011. Smyth. Rob. The Guardian.
  16. Web site: Mersey Derby Memories: Graeme Sharp's screamer gives Everton FC Anfield victory in 1984. 27 September 2011. 16 December 2011. Macdonald. Neil. Liverpool Echo.
  17. Web site: Golden goal: Keith Houchen for Coventry City v Tottenham (1987). 20 May 2016. Guardian. 10 March 2021.
  18. Auclair (2009), p. 203.
  19. Web site: Was it too early to be Goal of the Season?. 5 December 2011. 11 December 2006. Daily Mirror.
  20. Edwards (2011), p. 45.
  21. Le Tisser (2009), p. 117.
  22. News: Matthew Le Tissier, you will not be surprised to hear, is a useful golfer. And he is getting plenty of practice just now. 10 June 1995. 16 December 2011. The Independent. White. Jim. London.
  23. Web site: Ask Albert – Number 8. 7 December 2011. 16 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  24. Web site: Swindon Town confirm Paolo di Canio as new manager. 20 May 2011. 16 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  25. Web site: Bartlett wins Goal of the Season. 15 May 2001. 16 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  26. Web site: Champions League Special: Thierry Henry's Top 10 Greatest Moments For Arsenal. 30 March 2010. 16 December 2011. Goal.com.
  27. Web site: Goal of the Season 2003/04 Premiership ITV Goal 8. . 14 October 2012 .
  28. Web site: Goal of the season. 31 May 2005. 15 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  29. Web site: Goal of the season. 31 May 2006. 15 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  30. Web site: Goal of the season. 6 June 2007. 15 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  31. Web site: Goal of the season. 5 June 2008. 15 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  32. Web site: Goal of the season. 9 June 2009. 15 December 2011. BBC Sport .
  33. Web site: Fig gets goal gong. 29 September 2010. 16 December 2011. Wigan Today.
  34. Web site: Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Neymar shortlisted for Fifa Puskas Award for goal of the year. 5 December 2011. 16 December 2011. The Telegraph.
  35. 201809117105504256. BBCSport. Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer choose Papiss Cisse's goal for Newcastle against Chelsea as @BBCMOTD's goal of the season. 14 May 2012. 14 May 2012.
  36. Web site: Wilshere goal voted best of 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season. 28 May 2014. 25 May 2015. Premier League. 28 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150528210007/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/may/wilshere-wins-vote-for-best-barclays-premier-league-goal-of-the-season-2013-14.html. dead.
  37. Web site: Dele wins Match of the Day's Goal of the Season. 16 May 2016. 18 May 2016. Tottenham Hotspur.
  38. Web site: Liverpool's Emre Can wonder goal against Watford is officially THE Goal of the Season. Liverpool ECHO. Walker. Ed. 22 May 2017. 22 May 2017.
  39. Web site: Blackwell. Jordan. Jamie Vardy wins Match of the Day's goal of the season – how fans reacted. Leicester Mercury. 14 May 2018. 14 May 2018.
  40. Web site: Match of the Day on Twitter. BBC. 13 May 2019.
  41. Web site: Match Of The Day Name The Premier League Goal Of The Season. 27 July 2020. Sportbible. 10 March 2021.
  42. Web site: Match of the Day on Twitter. BBC. 24 May 2021.
  43. News: Match of the Day, plus vote for goal of the season . BBC Sport . 22 May 2022 . 24 May 2022.
  44. Web site: Match of the Day on Twitter. BBC. 29 May 2023.
  45. 1792332555435544870 . BBCMOTD . The winner is ALEJANDRO GARNACHO His spectacular overhead kick against Everton is the 2023-24 Goal of the Season #MOTD . Match of the Day . 19 May 2024 . 26 May 2024.
  46. Web site: Jack Wilshere wins Match of the Day Goal of the Season award after Arsenal fans hijack vote. The Independent. Simon Rice. 25 May 2015.
  47. Web site: Stoke City: Charlie Adam denied goal of the season by Arsenal fans in MOTD shambles. The Stoke Sentinel. Pete Smith. 26 May 2015.
  48. Web site: Arsenal fans rob Charlie Adam of goal of the season. The Scotsman. Alan Pattulo. 26 May 2015.
  49. Web site: Wilshere goal of the season: Meaningless Arsenal goal should not have won ahead of this Manchester United. Caught Offside. Mark Brus. 25 May 2015.
  50. Web site: Match of the Day change rules on goal of the season award to stop Arsenal fans from hijacking vote. Metro. Sean Kearns. 14 May 2016.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "BBC Goal of the Season".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.