# Goalies scoring goals (soccer) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 1, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254 "2003-05-01T00:30:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/1 "2003-05-01T00:30:14Z")
A long time ago, in an informal soccer game at college, the goalkeeper of the team I was on scored a goal. We were playing on a fairly short field and he kicked a high ball that bounce over the head of the opposing goalkeeper. Has something similar ever occured in a professional game? ---
**Author:** ![Jojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecd19e/32.png) [@Jojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jojo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/2 "2003-05-01T00:44:41Z")
Yes, Pat Jennings of Tottenham scored (from his own area) against Manchester United in the 1967 Charity Shield competition. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-20158,00.html](http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-20158,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/3 "2003-05-01T00:55:36Z")
Teams sometimes put their goalie on offense for set pieces, usually when behind at the end of the game. Some do end up scoring. I saw one game where this appeared to happen, but the goalie had actually punched the ball into the opponent’s net instead of heading it. I’m not sure whether he was trying to cheat or simply forgot he wasn’t allowed to use his hands in that part of the field. In any case he got a red card and was sent off. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/4 "2003-05-01T01:17:41Z")
Several times. For example, in addition to the Pat Jennings goal already mentioned, Ray Cashley scored for Bristol City vs Hull City in 1973, Steve Sherwood for Watford vs Coventry City in 1984, Steve Ogrizovic for Coventry City vs Sheffield Wednesday in 1986, Andy Goram for Hibernians vs Morton in 1988, Ray Charles (no not _that_ one) for East Fife vs Stranraer in 1990, Iain Hesford for Maidstone United vs Hereford United in 1991, Chris Mackenzie for Hereford United vs Barnet in 1995 and Peter Schmeichel for Aston Villa vs Everton in 2001 (don’t worry we still beat them 3-2). Paraguayan goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert is a free kick specialist who scored a hat-trick for Velez Sarsfield in their 6-1 win against Ferro Carril Oeste in 1999. It’s rare, but it does happen. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/5 "2003-05-01T01:23:44Z")
It’s pretty funny to see someone who is normally a respected goalkeeper, sprint to the other end of the pitch for a corner, completely spaz it up, and then sprint back to the other end as about 5 of the other team, with the ball, are also on their way there. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/6 "2003-05-01T05:42:58Z")
Thanks, everyone. The Pat Jennings goal from his own area is the kind I was looking for. That’s what happened in the game I played in. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/7 "2003-05-01T06:58:41Z")
Paraguan goal keeper Jose Luis Chilavert is perhaps the goalie with the most goals to his name. He is a free kick specialist, and almost always takes penalties. He came agonizingly close to being the first goal keeper in world cup history to score a field goal. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/8 "2003-05-01T10:19:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by everton \* > **… Ray Charles (no not _that_ one)…** Obviously not. _That_ one is a referee. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/9 "2003-05-01T13:04:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by everton \* > \*\* > > Andy Goram for Hibernians vs Morton in 1988\*\* Sorry to be very pedantic, Everton, but my local team (not that I support them) are called **Hibernian** , usually shortened to “Hibs” or “The Hibees”. Hibernians are a team from Malta or Cyprus or somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/10 "2003-05-01T13:33:32Z")
Yes, very pedantic, and yet true (I hoped nobody would spot it). Still, at least you read my post ;). There is indeed a team called Hibernians FC in Malta and one or two others scattered around the world that have Hibernians in their name. You’re not posting from Leith are you? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/11 "2003-05-01T13:39:48Z")
Re Pat “the legend” Jennings (best goalkeeper that ever lived and a thoroughly nice bloke to boot)… What is odd is that he scored against Man Utd, with Alex Stepney in Goal, The only other top flight goalie to do this is Alex Stepney against - you guessed it; Tottenham Hotspur, goalie one P. Jennings. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/12 "2003-05-01T13:44:54Z")
I suppose you don’t count Gary Sprake (Leeds) safely catching the ball, urging his team upfield, then throwing the ball into his own net? :o ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/13 "2003-05-01T13:45:37Z")
Don’t forget Jorge Campos, after acheiving fame in World Cup '94 for his acrobatics, the diminuative Mexican Goal Keeper went onto be the highest in the top Mexican division the next season (he retired from playing in goal domestically in order to become a centre-forward). There are quite a few instances of Goalkeepers scoring in first-class football, but scoring from clearances is very rare, though I have a vague memory of reading somewhere that one goalkeeper has managed this twice (Chris Woods or Pat Jennings possibly) ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/14 "2003-05-01T13:45:39Z")
I’m sure Schmeichel considers himself to be a top flight goalie even if you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/15 "2003-05-01T13:47:16Z")
Yes, sunny Leith is my current home, which added spice to my last 2 visits to Easter Road, when Aberdeen got last minute winners on both occasions. Luckily I didn’t take my scarf, but I had to hide the spring in my step as I walked into Leith with the home fans rather than back into Edinburgh with the Dons fans. Having said this I do have a soft spot for the Hibees and like to see them do well. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/16 "2003-05-01T16:35:06Z")
Well, _I_ scored while playing keeper, but I guess the OP’s narrow prejudices won’t consider a youth league to be ‘professional’ FWIW, it was on a penalty kick, which I took because in the previous game someone else took a PK that I had earned (by being fouled while playing forward). Coach thought I deserved this one. ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/17 "2003-05-01T17:47:43Z")
Chilavert was the first goal-scoring 'keeper that came to my mind. Another one is Jimmy Glass, who scored for Carlisle United against Plymouth Argyle in a Third Division match in 1999. Not as spectacular as Jennings’ goal–it was the kind of situation **Number** described above, but a very dramatic one. 1-1 going into stoppage time–Carlisle needing a win to avoid relegation–and Carlisle gets a corner kick. Glass comes forward to help out. Ball is headed in to goal; Plymouth keeper parries it away; it lands at Glass’s feet, and Glass knocks it in. Carlisle fans go mad. And so Carlisle gets to enjoy yet another season in the Third Division. [http://www.angelfire.com/sports/bumble/index.htm](http://www.angelfire.com/sports/bumble/index.htm) ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goalies-scoring-goals-soccer/172254/18 "2003-05-02T00:47:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by glee \* > \*\*I suppose you don’t count Gary Sprake (Leeds) safely catching the ball, urging his team upfield, then throwing the ball into his own net? :o \*\* Oh, did you have to? ☹ At least it got him his own personal tribute from the opposition fans - renditions of “Careless Hands” wherever he played.