Internationals / Feizal Rahman / 06 June 2010 /

Gary Lineker is England's only ever Golden Boot winner but we've had plenty of other super strikers. Feizal Rahman picks out six of the best

Nat Lofthouse (1954)

A self-proclaimed 'battering ram', Lofthouse epitomised the traditional English number 9 - physical presence, bravery, heading ability and a fearsome shot. Despite winning only 33 caps for his country, Lofthouse netted 30 international goals to earn one of the highest strike rates of any England player in history.

The Bolton Wanderers legend played in only one World Cup - alongside such greats as Billy Wright, Johnny Haynes, Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney - but made a significant impact, scoring three goals for his side before they eventually bowed out at the quarter final stage.


Roger Hunt (1962, 1966)

Selected for 1962 World Cup in Chile, Hunt didn't feature in any of the fixtures but he would be the only England striker to play in every game on home soil four years later. An enterprising forward, Hunt was always prepared to put in a shift for the benefit of the team rather than his own personal glory.

Three goals in the tricky group stage ensured England's safe passage through to the knockout rounds and despite not scoring again, Hunt's contribution to the team was fully appreciated by his team-mates. None other than Sir Bobby Charlton would later say, "I was always glad to see Roger beside me in the England team and he was greatly missed when he wasn't there."


Geoff Hurst (1966, 1970)

The World Cup has a rich history of unexpected personal triumphs and none more so than in 1966. Fate would smile kindly upon Geoff Hurst, an injury to first-choice frontman Jimmy Greaves handing the inexperienced deputy his big chance, having only made his international debut four months earlier.

Hurst would repay the good fortune with four goals, three of which came in a dramatic final to hand England the Jules Rimet trophy. Hurst remains the only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final - [1.35] a hat-trick to be scored during the 2010 tournament - and while most would not consider him one of the world's greats, Hurst's World Cup legacy can be matched by very few.


Gary Lineker (1986, 1990)

A penalty-box predator, Lineker would typically score for England when they needed it most. Struggling in the group stage in 1986, a hat-trick against Poland gave the side a kick-start and three further goals saw him finish as the tournament's top scorer - the only time an Englishman has won the Golden Boot (Wayne Rooney [12.0] to finish top goalscorer in 2010 World Cup).

A brace against Cameroon at Italia '90 saw England reach the semi-finals where his 80th minute equaliser would take the match to extra time. Lineker would eventually fall one short of Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time international goals record of 49 but he remains England's top World Cup goalscorer with 10.


Peter Beardsley (1986, 1990)

If Gary Lineker was England's greatest World Cup hitman then Peter Beardsley was the one who gave him his ammunition. Lineker never scored in a World Cup match in which Beardsley did not feature and neither he nor the team looked as fluent as when the impish forward was on the pitch.

Beardsley would give impetus to those around him, his intelligence and unselfish work ethic of primary benefit to his strike partner but also serving as an example to others. An unsung hero of England's World Cup history, Beardsley rightfully earns his place among the attacking greats.


Michael Owen (1998, 2002, 2006)

Aged just 18, Michael Owen stormed onto the international stage at France '98 with a wonder goal against Argentina in the quarter finals. At that point he looked destined to become one of the all-time greats but an injury-plagued career thereafter has seen Owen peter out into a forgotten man.

Despite this, the former Liverpool frontman scored in each of his first two World Cups, only injury in the group stage of 2006 depriving him of scoring in his third. While perhaps symbolizing the underachievement of England's 'Golden Generation', on his day, Owen nonetheless had every opposition defence in the world quaking at the prospect of his lightning pace and lethal finishing ability.

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