15 Best England Strikers in Football History (Ranked)

An incredibly proud footballing nation, whose success at international level has been minimal, England have had some sensational strikers. A country whose fans’ emotions fluctuate through every game, England have never done anything the easy way, and their trophy cabinet is much smaller than perhaps it should be.

Winning just one international tournament, the 1966 World Cup, their output compared to player ability is surprising. Having had elite talents such as Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, and Bobby Charlton lead the line, England have always posed a goal threat.

Exclusively considering their performances and output at international level, here are the 15 greatest strikers to ever don the Three Lions jersey.

Ranking Factors

• International Success
• Goal Record for England
• Overall Contribution to the national side

15

Trevor Francis

Career Span: 1970-1994

With a record of two goals and two assists in five appearances at the 1982 World Cup, it feels as though Trevor Francis’ England showings warrant more recognition. The Nottingham Forest hero, who was part of the Tricky Trees’ two European triumphs, was an elegant striker who left defenders chasing shadows thanks to his explosive pace.

Francis was also versatile and could play out wide, but his main success came when leading the line, and he formed a fine partnership with Paul Mariner. While his main footballing achievements came at club level, there’s no doubt he wrote his name in his nation’s history books.

14

Peter Crouch

Career Span: 1998-2019

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There was something quite special about watching Peter Crouch in action for England because he always stood out, and that’s not just because of his six-foot-seven-inch frame. He towered over the opposition, and his height gave the Three Lions an advantage in set-piece situations.

Crouch’s exploits on international duty deserve more recognition, as he became his nation’s first player to score 10 goals in a single calendar year in 2006. He was a real handful in front of goal, and Jamaica learned this when he hit a hat-trick in a 6-0 friendly win at Wembley.

While the former Liverpool and Tottenham frontman didn’t get his hands on a trophy, he made his mark in England colours. His famous robot celebration comes to mind when discussing the charismatic striker who appeared at two FIFA World Cup tournaments.

13

Stan Mortensen

Career Span: 1941-1962

Stan Mortensen was a history maker throughout his career and that included while representing his country which he did at the 1950 World Cup. The Blackpool icon’s most famous feat came when he struck a hat-trick in the club’s extraordinary 1953 FA Cup final comeback 4-3 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Another astonishing record set by Mortenson came on his full international debut when he bagged four goals in a 10-0 destruction of Portugal in 1947. He was renowned for his powerful shooting ability but also excellent in the air and his constant energy saw him nicknamed ‘the Blackpool Bombshell.’

12

Roger Hunt

Career Span: 1957-1972

One of England’s unsung heroes from their 1966 World Cup win was Roger Hunt, who played an important role in Sir Alf Ramsey guiding the Three Lions to glory. He played up top with Geoff Hurst in all six matches during the campaign and scored a brace in a 2-0 victory against France during the group stages.

Many players in today’s game are called out for a lack of effort, but there was no questioning Hunt’s work ethic as he was one of the hardest-working frontmen during his era. His goalscoring record on international duty was brilliant as were the numbers he achieved as a star man for Liverpool at club level.

11

Dixie Dean

Career Span: 1924-1939

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Everton fans know just how formidable and dominant a marksman Dixie Dean was, but he also put up sensational numbers for England. He only earned 16 caps for the Three Lions but found the back of the net 18 times, which included a hat-trick in a 9-1 thrashing of Belgium in a friendly.

Dean participated in the British Home Championships, winning the competition twice, in 1927 and 1929, and in one outing, he earned applause from Scottish fans despite losing to Scotland. He became the Toffees’ top scorer and spent his entire club career at Goodison Park.

But Dean’s career was cut short when he suffered a head injury, and there’s no telling just how high he’d rank if not for this and the start of World War II. He was so clinical in front of goal but would also bring others into play thanks to his ability to link up with his attacking teammates.

10

Tom Finney

Career Span: 1940-1963

Once England’s leading goalscorer, Tom Finney was fantastic for England, and was a magnificent servant to his boyhood club, Preston.

Spending 20 years with the Deepdale club, he is the club’s all-time leading scorer by a large margin, with 370 goals. For England, Finney took his club form onto the national stage, as he netted 30 times in 76 appearances. Capable of playing across the front line, the Englishman was very versatile, and was voted as Football of the Year on two occasions, in 1953/54 and 1956/57.

Treasured by all associated with his club, Preston, as well as his national team, Finney was ahead of his time, and could have been a superstar in any generation.

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9

Nat Lofthouse

Career Span: 1946-1960

With almost a goal a game for England, Nat Lofthouse is one of the most prolific players to don the Three Lions shirt.

Joint seventh on the all-time leading scorers list for England, Lofthouse was a very clinical player who served his nation very well. Spending his entire career with Bolton, Lofthouse is one of the club’s best ever players, and has a statue built outside their stadium, such was his impact on the club.

For England, Lofthouse took a little while to break into the team, but once he did, he never looked back. His career was ultimately cut short due to injury, but his time with his national team was fantastic, and his goal return is simply astonishing.

8

Jimmy Greaves

Career Span: 1957-1980

One of the greatest players in Tottenham history, Jimmy Greaves was a fine goalscorer, who still holds many English football records.

With 266 goals for the Lilywhites, Greaves is the club’s second all-time leading scorer, and he took this form onto the international scene. He was actually England’s first choice striker heading into the 1966 World Cup, however, he sustained an injury in the quarter-final which ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.

Had he been fit and helped England to lift their sole international trophy in 1966, he would have been higher up this list, but his contribution to his nation cannot be forgotten. A fine player who was remarkably clinical, Greaves is a firm favourite of many that have watched him play.

7

Michael Owen

Career Span: 1996-2013

When it comes to Michael Owen’s career, the question ‘what if?’ comes to mind. A player who burst onto the scene, and was one of the hottest strikers around during his teenage years, which included a move to Real Madrid and a Ballon d’Or at 22, his career was then plagued by injuries.

With a fearless nature, and being a very good goalscorer, Owen was one of the best players in the world before his injury troubles. For England, Owen continued his electric form, and scored 40 goals in his 89 appearances, which earns him a spot on this list. Perhaps underachieving in his career, he was still sensational, and was unfortunate not to have done even more.

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6

Alan Shearer

Career Span: 1988-2006

The greatest goalscorer in Premier League history, Alan Shearer, certainly knew where the back of the net was. Perhaps not with the goal tally of some of his peers, his goals to game ratio is still fantastic.

Capable of scoring every type of goal, Shearer was a dominant striker that gave defenders a torrid time. Strong and extremely clinical, to be the all-time top scorer in the Premier League is no mean feat, especially when he wasn’t playing for any of the biggest teams.

Winning the Premier League on one occasion whilst at Blackburn, Shearer certainly could have won more in his career, but he opted to remain with his boyhood club Newcastle for the majority of his career. Always good for England, his international career reflects his club career, with him scoring goals, but not winning as much as he should have.