20 April 2004 - And That's Why You Take The Shot

On 20 April 2004, the English Football Association credited Marc Burrows (right) with scoring the fastest goal in football history.

Burrows, then a forward for English non-league side Cowes Sports F.C., scored 2.5 seconds into a match on 3 April 2004 against Eastleigh F.C. Preparing for the start of the match, Burrows noticed that the Eastleigh keeper was off his line and so launched the kickoff directly toward the goal. His shot was aided by a strong wind at his back, which helped direct the ball straight into the net. Burrows was later quoted as saying "The ball just sailed over their poor keeper. I was so stunned I didn't really celebrate. I just put my hands in the air and burst out laughing." Burrows scored two other goals in the match, leading Cowes Sports to a 5-3 victory.

Burrows' lightning strike beat the previous record of 2.8 seconds, made by Argentina's Ricardo Olivera in 1998. The FA waited to receive the match report from the referee before confirming the record goal.

Tragically, Burrows died of cancer on 9 February 2009 at the age of 30.