A History of Idiosyncratic Events in Football – Part Two

-----Player Goal Droughts-----

The former Liverpool full-back Rob Jones (right) is often cited as a player who couldn't score.

While it's certainly true that the England international never once found the back of the net in 243 appearances for Liverpool between 1991 and 1999, it is fair to say that he was particularly unlucky, as he had an uncanny knack of hitting the woodwork with agonising regularity.

I would like to point out in defence of Rob that before joining 'The Reds' from Crewe Alexandra, where he started his professional career, he did score on two occasions for 'The Railwaymen.'

Goal-shyness is by no means uncommon in professional football, and the name of one other - now retired - player comes to mind as a long term sufferer.


Respect, please, though to Steve Whitworth, the stalwart defender who played 399 times for Leicester City between 1969 and 1979.

In all those matches Steve (back row,extreme left) scored just the once, although it was certainly a good 'un, and will stay in the memory of Leicester City fans forever!
He scored the only goal in the 1971 Charity Shield win over Liverpool, giving the City backroom staff a rare opportunity to break out the Brasso.





Whitworth did did not have to wait as long as Francis Benali (right) who scored his one and only goal for Southampton in his 11th season with the club - in the 1997/98 season.




Still, better late than never!