Top Scorer: Own Goal (Part One)

A two-part historical analysis of own goals scored both for and against Sheffield United, 1983-2023. Part one: goals for.

Words: Deadbat

Much has been made of the fact that at the time of writing this (late November 2023), United’s leading scorer goes by the name of ‘OWN GOAL.’ It is perhaps a damning assessment of our own lack of firepower but every goal counts and Messrs Jordan Pickford, Antonee Robinson and Adam Webster have this season all joined the database of Sheffield United goalscorers.  

Intrigued by this quirky fact, I began to delve into the history of those who have netted for us into their own net and, rather morbidly, the flip side of this – Blades players who have scored for the opposition.  

I reflected exclusively on my own period of watching the Blades, which takes us from the 1983-84 season up to the current 2023-24 campaign; so effectively the last 40 years. It reveals that rarely a season goes by without an own goal being scored for us – with only three seasons missing. However, there has been a much higher number – eight seasons – when we did not score an own goal. In short, it does seem that we are better at ‘pressuring’ opponents into scoring own goals than scoring them ourselves, with a total of 92 own goals for us versus 67 against us – almost a third more! 

Of course, in the ’80s and early ’90s (and indeed long before these decades), there was no dubious goals panel and it was probably less likely to be recorded as an own goal unless obvious. Some goals in the earlier seasons may have been classed as own goals in the modern day. There are actually some in this period that are credited as an own goal, but depending on which records or source you are using, are given to a player from the attacking team instead. 

In part one of this article, I will discuss the own goals that have gone FOR United and look at the oddities and backgrounds of some of them. The second part will detail the same for those who have put through their own net for the Blades and reveal who is the leading own scorer, both for and against us. 

PART ONE: OWN GOALS FOR 

1983-84 

The two own goals scored for the Blades this season were both in the same game, a 4-2 defeat at Gillingham. One of the scorers was John Sitton, more known for his managerial rants in a football documentary where he challenged a player to a fight and told him, bizarrely, that he could “even bring your f***ing dinner”.

Total own goals for: 2 

1984-85 

Back in the second tier after promotion, we profited from three OGs courtesy Steve Dowman (Charlton), John Pender (Wolves) and Gary Hoolickin (Oldham). The final game, a 2-0 win, had been rearranged due to an unexploded bomb found on Lancing Road, near Bramall Lane. 

Own goals: 3 
Total own goals for: 5

1985-86 

This season saw two future Blades score for us! Brian Gayle playing for Wimbledon put through his own net in a 4-0 win at the Lane whilst later in the season Simon Webster notched one for us whilst at Huddersfield.  

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 7 

1986-87 

The two goals in this campaign came from England internationals: of the past – Paul Mariner for Portsmouth – and the future – Lee Dixon for Stoke. The Pompey game was the ill-tempered clash where the visitors had three men join the home side’s Peter Beagrie in taking an early bath.

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 9 

1987-88 

We only scored 45 goals (no own goals), and Bassett could not quite keep us up as we exited via the play offs. 

Own goals: 0
Total own goals for: 9 

1988-89 

A bumper four own goals this season, with two in the Third Division and two in cup competitions. Former Blade Tony Kenworthy scored in the cup replay win on an icy Bramall Lane pitch. 

Own goals: 4
Total own goals for: 13 

1989-90 

A further four own goals in another promotion campaign. Notable is the one Jon Gittens scored in a win at Swindon. The goal occurred through a challenge which saw Peter Duffield break his leg. Some records credit it to the United player. In April, a late Mike Ford header flicked into his own net at the death gave United a crucial three points in a home win against Oxford. 

Own goals: 4
Total own goals for: 17

1990-91 

Only one this season, which is sometimes given to Dane Whitehouse as his long-range effort hit future Blade Paul McGrath to wrongfoot Nigel Spinks in a 2-0 Blades victory over Aston Villa. 

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 18

1991-92 

The OG scored by Lee Chapman was in a game Leeds fans will never forget, as their 3-2 victory at the Lane effectively sealed them the title. Of course, there was another, more famous, own goal in this game! (more in part 2 of this article). 

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 19 

1992-93 

Three own goals in two wins and a draw. Future Wednesday man Andy Pearce scored in a draw with Coventry at Bramall Lane. Andy Gray (not the former Sky pundit) then put a header into his own net in the 6-0 drubbing of Spurs. Finally, Chris Whyte scored a winner at the Lane, deflecting a Brian Deane effort into his own net in a game played only a few days after the Steel City semifinal at Wembley. 

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 22

1993-94 

Leeds made it a hat trick of own goals against the Blades in successive seasons with Gary Kelly the latest to blunder. The other goal came from now Scotland manager Steve Clarke, in a 1-0 win over Chelsea in a season that ultimately ended in last day heartbreak for United in the reverse fixture. 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 24

1994-95 

Back in the second tier, this was a watermark moment for own goal scorers for United. Paul Bodin put through his own net for Swindon (more on him in a minute) in a game where Jan Åge Fjørtoft scored for the home side.  

Mark Winstanley became the first player to score ‘for’ the Blades in this era for two different clubs. After scoring for Bolton in the late ’80s, he repeated the feat for another Lancashire side, Burnley, in a 4-2 defeat for United at Turf Moor – a game played live on Yorkshire TV.  

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 26 

1995-96 

As Dave Bassett departed and Howard Kendall came in, this was a rare blank season for this category. 

Own goals: 0
Total own goals for: 26 

1996-97 

Lee Sinnott scored in a 2-1 loss at the new Huddersfield Stadium but the week before saw Paul Bodin join Winstanley in achieving the rare feat of scoring two goals for United whilst playing for an opponent. He became known as Bodin OG to many United fans after this. Some younger fans even thought he played for us! 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 28 

1997-98 

An unusual season where both goals scored were by goalkeepers. Chris Day dropped one into his own net for Watford in a League Cup tie, but the other came in a much more memorable game. The veteran Alan Knight’s mistake was overshadowed in a game where a linesman was attacked and Shaun Derry also spent the second half in goal after Simon Tracey was sent off. Derry kept a clean sheet in a 1-1 draw. 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 30

1998-99 

A more mundane season where the two own goals were both by defenders in narrow Blades wins against Grimsby and Huddersfield. John McDermott and Kevin Gray were the guilty men. 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 32

1999-2000 

A blank season as Adrian Heath lasted until only November – and in came Neil Warnock. 

Own goals: 0
Total own goals for: 32

2000-01 

Four own goals in three wins and a draw, albeit two against lower league opposition in the League Cup. Book-ending these were goals from Linvoy Primus in the opening day win over Portsmouth and – a rarity – an OG from a striker, Iwan Roberts in a draw against Norwich, a game in which Paul Peschisolido inspired a comeback for the Canaries. 

Own goals: 4
Total own goals for: 36

2001-02 

A solitary goal – from Colin Woodthorpe – in a 3-0 win for United at home to Stockport County. 

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 37

2002-03 

A more prolific season, with four coming in a memorable campaign where we played an incredible 61 games as we competed on all fronts. Peter Handyside for Stoke and Graham Alexander for Preston were vital OGs in wins by a single goal, and Tony Popovic scored in a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in April. One of the most famous own goals in United’s history came on a balmy night in May, as Des Walker’s header at the Kop end effectively sealed victory for the Blades in a fantastic night under the lights. Surely one of the best games the old stadium has ever seen? Gary Sinclair’s enthusiasm that evening could be forgiven as he announced the scorer as “Des Walker!” to the glee of the majority inside a fervent stadium.  

Own goals: 4
Total own goals for: 41 

2003-04 

Yet another player with connections to our rivals, Darren Moore, netted – albeit in a 1-2 reverse.  

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 42

2004-05 

A keeper made the scoresheet again, this time Neil Cutler for Stockport. Two defenders, Tomas Repka for West Ham in a win at Upton Park and Kerry Mayo for Brighton, in a 1-2 defeat for United, followed Cutler onto the list. 

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 45

2005-06 

The promotion season under Neil Warnock. Clarke Carlisle scored a late winner in a comeback at Watford and Marc Bircham’s effort came in another 2-3, this time the score going against the Blades. Eirik Bakke put through his own net in a bad-tempered contest at the Lane where Neil Warnock was sent off – a game that did not matter as United were already up. 

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 48

2006-07 

Once again it was a defender who would go on to be employed by our cross-city rivals (Chris Powell – recently named as assistant manager) who deflected Michael Tonge’s shot past his keeper in a 1-0 win for United. Sadly, these were the last points we gained as we were relegated amid the Carlos Tevez controversy. 

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 49 

2007-08 

Back in the second tier, former United defensive coach Mark Hudson scored for us at Crystal Palace before Damion Stewart scored for another London side QPR – both goals coming in wins. Later in the season, we had the rare moment when an own goal came in a Sheffield derby. Richard Wood put through his own net as United fought back to draw 2-2, a game perhaps better known for the late James Beattie free kick in front of the Kop.  

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 52

2008-09 

Gareth Roberts scored for Doncaster against the Blades but he also scored for us in this season, as we won 2-0 at the Keepmoat. Goals from Bristol City’s Liam Fontaine and Charlton’s Kelly Youga probably did not matter, coming in comfortable victories for United. The other goal came from Danny Coid in a 2-2 draw with Blackpool. 

Own goals: 4
Total own goals for: 56

2009-10 

Like buses, you wait ages for one and then… erm… another arrives. Lewis Buxton’s comical finish at the Bramall Lane end was another Wednesday own goal. This was the game in which we went 3-0 up and many at half time thought we might avenge the Boxing Day Massacre. In the end, we were hanging on for the victory! Dorus de Vries was another goalkeeping scorer in a win over Swansea. 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 58

2010-11 

A dreadful campaign where we had three managers (four if you count John Carver as caretaker). Blackwell, Speed and Adams all made a bit of a mess of things to say the least. One bright spot was a 2-0 win over Leeds in which Eric Lichaj scored for us. 

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 59

2011-12 

Five own goals in a season are the most we have seen in this period – even though it feels like we’re seeing one every other week this season, we still would have to double our tally to have our best season in this regard. This campaign under Danny Wilson saw us score 109 goals in all competitions, so no surprise we would have a high number. We also had another game (like Gillingham in ’83-’84) where we saw two own goals in one game, with Adam Barrett and Steve Cook scoring for us at Dean Court in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth. We had two from non-league sides in FA Cup wins and then Alan Sheehan scored in a 2-1 win at Notts County in an ultimately unsuccessful season.  

Own goals: 5
Total own goals for: 64

2012-13 

A single own goal – an Ash Taylor winner at Tranmere’s Prenton Park – as United ended the season limping into the playoffs bound for an awful defeat to Yeovil. 

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 65

2013-14 

Three own goals in three wins. Sam Walker scored the first as United won 3-2 at Colchester in the FA Cup, while Aiden Flint and John Mousinho both netted winners in 1-0 wins over Bristol City and Stevenage respectively in Nigel Clough’s first full season. 

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 68 

2014-15 

Two memorable games where the own goals are probably largely forgotten. A 1-1 draw in the League Cup at West Ham famously finished with Michael Doyle’s celebratory cockney walk after his winning penalty in the shootout, but we only got there thanks to New Zealand international Winston Reid’s bluder. The other OG came in our ridiculous 5-5 draw at Swindon, Nathan Thompson’s goal ultimately counting for nothing in Clough’s final game. 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 70

2015-16 

The Adkins era (well, one season) did not provide many (any?) memo rable moments and I cannot remember any of the three own goals scored. For the record, it was James Meredith for Bradford in a 2-2 draw at Valley Parade, Jack Baldwin in a 2-3 defeat at home to Peterborough and Marcus Nilsson in a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood. 

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 73 

2016-17 

Chris Wilder’s swashbuckling promotion side did not need own goals. The stats show that anyway, with just one in the league – a Kelvin Etuhu effort at Gigg Lane in a 3-1 win over Bury. The other occurred in the EFL trophy at Grimsby, via Andrew Boyce. 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 75

2017-18 

Once more, only one league goal. A bizarre Johnny Russell effort as he somehow kicked it straight into his own net past Scott Carson to put United two up in a 3-1 win over Derby. The other came in an EFL Cup win over Walsall, courtesy of Kory Roberts. 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 77

2018-19 

A promotion season back to the Premier League and we profited from three own goals, all in victories. Chey Dunkley, another who would go on to represent Wednesday, scored the other goal as Billy Sharp got a hat trick in a 4-2 win over Wigan. Ezri Konsa, now of Villa, put through his own goal in a 3-2 win at Brentford – the game where Oli Norwood scored a screamer. The final one came thanks to Sam Baldock, brother of George, who nodded into his own net in a 2-0 win for the Blades at Reading. 

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 80 

2019-20 

At the time I was convinced Kurt Zouma’s deflected shot had been scored by Lys Mousset, but it was an own goal. It still did not stop the glee, as shown by Travelling Blade's superb vlog below. Yerry Mina’s header in our success at Goodison Park was one of the first we had checked for VAR, and a Guaita own goal was bizarre as the Crystal Palace keeper simply carried a corner over his own line for what proved to be the winner in Sander Berge’s debut.  

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 83

2020-21 

A dreadful campaign played in front of empty stadiums. I cannot recall anything about Antonio Rüdiger’s goal in a defeat to Chelsea the Lane or Joe Day’s effort in the Cup at Bristol Rovers. I can’t remember much about this whole season, mind you! 

Own goals: 2
Total own goals for: 85

2021-22 

Callum Morton’s effort at London Road was somewhat overshadowed by Billy Sharp breaking the Championship goalscoring record in a 2-0 win over Peterborough. 

Own goals: 1
Total own goals for: 86

2022-23 

A promotion season normally brings more own goals and this was no different. Two Ryans, Giles and Porteous, scored for us in games against Middlesbrough and Watford. Sam Gallagher’s deflected effort in the exciting FA Cup Quarter Final may have gone down as a Ryan Lowe goal if scored 20 years earlier. 

Own goals: 3
Total own goals for: 89 

2023-24 

As I type this, 25 per cent of our 12 goals have come via the opposition. The first really deserved to be Cameron Archer’s as his shot came back off Jordan Pickford. Archer also put Adam Webster under pressure at Brighton, leading to him putting it into his own net. The other goal, sandwiched in between these, was more avoidable as Antonee Robinson inexplicably smashed it in under little pressure. 

We can only hope that OWN GOAL continues to shine this season, as he’s clearly been a very important player – maybe too important! 

Own goals (as of December 20, 2023): 3 

TOTAL OWN GOALS FOR SHEFFIELD UNITED, 1983-2023: 92 

Top scorers: Paul Bodin (2), Mark Winstanley (2)