It should come as no surprise that England and the nearby British Isles have produced some of the most renowned players in football, considering the game was invented there.
England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have produced a wide range of talents, including World Cup-winning leaders, Champions League-winning managers, and record-scoring players for their national teams. GIVEMESPORT examines the ten greatest football legends in British history, including influential leaders like Sir Alex Ferguson, who dominated the Premier League for many years, England’s top scorer Harry Kane, and World Cup final hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst.
Ranking Elements
Accolades Legacy Overall Ability Impact on the game
10Gareth Bale
Notable Clubs Played For: Tottenham, Real Madrid
Gareth Bale, the best player Wales has ever had, was simply amazing to many. He is most known for his accomplishments with Wales, which included leading them to their first major competition in 58 years when they qualified for Euro 2016 and then making it to the semi-finals in one of the most shocking upsets in the history of the European Championship. Throughout his career, Bale was his country’s talisman, becoming their highest-ever goalscorer and dictating all the positive aspects of his team.
Bale became one of Britain’s most decorated players at the club level after making an impression with Tottenham and earning a transfer to Real Madrid. One of the greatest football superstars to emerge from Britain is Bale, who is incredibly quick and versatile.
Wales Stats for Gareth Bale
Looks
111
Objectives
41
9Kenny Dalglish
Notable Clubs Played For: Celtic, Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish was an obvious choice for our list because he was not only an amazing player but also an excellent manager. Dalglish is the all-time top scorer for Scotland as a player and rose to hero status at Celtic and Liverpool. Dalglish’s impact on both clubs he played for was amazing, as he scored an astounding number of goals and won numerous titles. Dalglish, a powerful striker who made every opponent’s life difficult, won an incredible 37 titles in his career.
Dalglish was also a successful manager, winning the Premier League with Blackburn and the double as player-manager of Liverpool. Dalglish was able to achieve success as a manager and player, and few people have had the same influence on British football.
Statistics for Kenny Dalglish’s Career
Looks
559
Objectives
229
Trophies
37
8Wayne Rooney
Notable Clubs Played For: Man United, Everton
Wayne Rooney, the all-time top scorer for Manchester United and an all-around amazing player, was amazing from the start.
Rooney realised that he has been surrounded by a lot of hype when he made his Premier League debut at the age of 16. Rooney was influential throughout his career. He was initially gifted with lightning-fast speed and lethal finishing, but as he advanced to a deeper role, he used his football acumen and passing range to control games.
Rooney was an incredible player who won about everything that can be won at the club level throughout a brilliant career. He went on to break the scoring records for both England and Manchester United.
Career Statistics for Wayne Rooney
Looks
764
Objectives
313
Helps
164
7Harry Kane
Notable Teams Represented: Tottenham, Bayern Munich
Even though he is still playing, Harry Kane, the all-time top scorer for England, is a true British football superstar. Kane’s remarkable goal total for both club and country has contributed to some amazing days for fans of modern England, especially when it comes to the greatest platform. Highlights have included goals in the European Championships semifinals and a World Cup Golden Boot, as he has come very near to taking home an international championship for his nation.
Kane, the second-greatest goalscorer in Premier League history, was destined to break the record, but he chose to travel to Germany and play for Bayern Munich in order to win championships. He will undoubtedly establish himself as the greatest goal scorer Britain has ever seen if he ever chooses to return to England.
England Record for Harry Kane
Looks
102
Objectives
68
6George Best
Notable Teams Played For: Man United
For many, George Best was the greatest British player in history and one of the finest players to have ever played the game. One of the sport’s first superstars, the Northern Ireland player was able to dribble through an entire team by himself. Everyone was familiar with him after he won the Ballon d’Or at the age of just 22. Best was a well-known talent who was so outstanding that he was rumoured to have influenced Diego Maradona.
He had a good eye for goal, but his greatest skill was dribbling, which made him nearly hard to stop while in full flight as he ducked past opponents. Best was a fantastic talent who scored 179 goals while playing for Manchester United.
Statistics for Man United by George Best
Looks
470
Objectives
179
Helps
13.
5Sir Alf Ramsey
Notable Teams Managed: Ipswich, England
Sir Alf Ramsey was the driving force behind England’s victory in the 1966 World Cup, their sole international competition.
In 1962, Ramsey moved Ipswich from the former Third Division South to win the First Division in their debut season, marking the start of his management career. Before being named manager of England in 1963, he had managed the Tractor Boys for eight years. The rest is history.
England supporters will always remember the 1966 victory, which cemented Ramsey’s place in history. His distinctive compact formation strategy was crucial to England winning the title, and Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick helped overcome West Germany in the championship match. Ramsey will always be remembered as a legend in both Ipswich and England.
The managerial record of Sir Alf Ramsey in England
Matches
113
Gains
69
Draws
27
Losses
17
Percentage of Wins
61%
4Bobby Moore
Notable Teams Played For: West Ham, Fulham
The guy who captained that illustrious England squad in 1966 comes next on this list. Known for his ability to understand the game and always be in the perfect position to avoid danger, Bobby Moore was an excellent defender. He was a difficult opponent for many attackers since he was an excellent tackler who could stand or slide when needed. Moore rose through the ranks at West Ham, made an immediate impression, and soon established himself in the starting lineup.
Moore is adored by both groups of supporters for his contributions to both West Ham and England, where he later became captain. It is no wonder that he is the only person to lead England to World Cup triumph since he set an example on the field by playing to a very high standard and always giving it his all in every game. Off the field, he was able to give some outstanding and motivational speeches.
Career Statistics for Bobby Moore
Looks
736
Objectives
27
Trophies
14
3Sir Alex Ferguson
Notable Teams Managed: Aberdeen, Scotland, Man United
3Sir Alex Ferguson
Notable Teams Managed: Aberdeen, Scotland, Man United
The claim that Sir Alex Ferguson is the best manager in British history is difficult to dispute. During his 27 years at Old Trafford, the former Manchester United manager won an incredible 13 Premier League crowns, five FA Cups, two Champions Leagues, and numerous more trophies. Before a brief time as Scotland’s manager, he started his managerial career with Aberdeen, where he was able to end Celtic and Rangers’ domination and even defeat Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Ferguson, who was formerly hired by Man United, actually had a difficult start to his career and was even close to being fired, but a sharp improvement in results saved the Scotsman, and he went on to become a legend at Man United.
Managerial Statistics for Sir Alex Ferguson
Matches
2,155
Gains
1,253
Draws
490
Losses
412.
Percentage of Wins
58%
2Sir Geoff Hurst
Notable Clubs Played For: West Ham, Stoke
Many things contributed to England’s World Cup victory, including many outstanding players and performances, but none were more significant than Geoff Hurst’s in the championship match.
Hurst tied the score a few minutes after England fell behind 1-0 to West Germany in the final. England took the lead thanks to a goal from Martin Peters, but Wolfgang Weber’s late equaliser forced extra time. Hurst took the initiative here. He completed his hat-trick with two goals in extra time, guaranteeing that England would win the cup for the first time ever.
Being an important player in a World Cup final is one thing, but Hurst’s hat-trick is an incredible accomplishment. Although he scored many goals during his club career, primarily with West Ham, his performance on 30 July 1966, stands out as his best and most memorable day.
Career Statistics for Geoff Hurst
Looks
561
Objectives
228
Trophies
4.
1Sir Bobby Charlton
Notable Clubs Played For: Man United
Bobby Charlton is unquestionably a British football hero, having won the 1966 Ballon d’Or and being regarded as one of the finest in the world at the time.
Charlton, a terrific football player who could play a variety of positions, was England’s top scorer until Wayne Rooney broke his mark, and Harry Kane then surpassed him. Charlton was a versatile player who could play both forward and midfield. He was excellent with the ball and could control games with his passing range. He also had a fantastic shot that he frequently used from a distance on both feet.
Anyone who watched him play was in awe of his brilliance, making him another important member of the 1966 World Cup winning team. Charlton had an incredible career at the top level and is regarded by everyone as one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. He was one of the few players to survive the 1958 Munich plane disaster.
Statistics for Man United by Sir Bobby Charlton
Looks
758
Objectives
259
Trophies
8.
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