29 August 1987 - The Football League's Mystery Milestone

On 29 August 1987, somebody scored the English Football League's 400,000th goal. But nobody knows who it was. 

Established in 1888, the Football League governed the top four tiers of English football until 1992, when the uppermost division broke away to form the Premier League. Due to imprecise starting times and match reports, there have been many contenders for the league's first goal, including Aston Villa full back Gershom Cox's own goal against Wolves and Preston North End's Fred Dewhurst against Burnley. Recent evidence, however, suggests it was scored by Bolton's Kenny Davenport against Derby County.  

Similarly, lack of details in match timing makes it impossible to say who scored the 400,000th goal. The records only make clear that it came on 29 August 1987. The day's 43 matches provided a total of 110 goals, with only four scoreless draws among them. 

The day's highest score came from Division Three's Gillingham, who beat Southend United 8-1, while the highest tally in the top flight was Arsenal's 6-0 victory over Portsmouth. Darlington came close to that in Division Four, beating Hartlepool United 2-5. Sheffield United delivered the top score of the Second Division with a relatively modest 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. 

It took almost nine years for the league to reach 500,000 goals, with Huddersfield's Gary Taylor-Fletcher collecting the honor with a strike against Rotherham United. 

15 March 1947 - He Certainly Added Experience To The Side

On 15 March 1947, Neil McBain took the pitch for New Brighton AFC at the age of 51 years and 120 days. He still holds the record as the Football League's oldest-ever player.

He began his career in 1914 as a wing-half with Ayr United and played for a variety of clubs in Scotland and England for the next 16 seasons, including Manchester United (1921-23), Everton (1923-26), St. Johnstone (1926-28), Liverpool (1928), and Watford (1928-31). In 1929, while at Watford, he was promoted to player-manager. Though he retired from playing in 1931, he remained there as manager until 1937.

After spells in charge of Ayr United (1937-38) and Luton Town (1938-39), he eventually took the reins at New Brighton in the summer of 1946. Late in his first season there, the team suffered a spate of injuries that left them short of goalkeepers. So, on 15 March, McBain put his playing boots back on and took the position in goal against Hartlepool United.

It was not a successful return to playing for him, as New Brighton conceded three goals and scored none. McBain stayed with them for one more season (though he never played another match) and was sacked in February 1948. He continued to manage until 1963, including return stints at Watford and Ayr United, and passed away in 1974.

29 August 1987 - The Football League's Mystery Milestone

On 29 August 1987, somebody scored the English Football League's 400,000th goal. But nobody knows who it was.

Established in 1888, the Football League governed the top four tiers of English football until 1992, when the uppermost division broke away to form the Premier League. It is believed that the league's first goal was scored by Aston Villa full back Gershom Cox, who put the ball into his own net in the 30th minute of a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 8 September 1888. The other contender for the honor, though, is Fred Dewhurst, who netted from Preston North End in the third minute of their match against Burnley on the same day. Although Preston's match started after Villa's, lack of precision in the exact start times makes it impossible to say with certainty which goal came first.

Similarly, lack of details in match timing makes it impossible to say who scored the 400,000th goal. The records only make clear that it came on 29 August 1987. The day's 43 matches provided a total of 110 goals, with only four scoreless draws among them.

The day's highest score came from Division Three's Gillingham, who beat Southend United 8-1, while the highest tally in the top flight was Arsenal's 6-0 victory over Portsmouth. Darlington came close to that in Division Four, beating Hartlepool United 2-5. Sheffield United delivered the top score of the Second Division with a relatively modest 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

It took almost nine years for the league to reach 500,000 goals, with Huddersfield's Gary Taylor-Fletcher collecting the honor with a strike against Rotherham United.

15 March 1947 - He Certainly Added Experience To The Side

On 15 March 1947, Neil McBain took the pitch for New Brighton AFC at the age of 51 years and 120 days. He still holds the record as the Football League's oldest-ever player.

He began his career in 1914 as a wing-half with Ayr United and played for a variety of clubs in Scotland and England for the next 16 seasons, including Manchester United (1921-23), Everton (1923-26), St. Johnstone (1926-28), Liverpool (1928), and Watford (1928-31). In 1929, while at Watford, he was promoted to player-manager. Though he retired from playing in 1931, he remained there as manager until 1937.

After spells in charge of Ayr United (1937-38) and Luton Town (1938-39), he eventually took the reins at New Brighton in the summer of 1946. Late in his first season there, the team suffered a spate of injuries that left them short of goalkeepers. So, on 15 March, McBain put his playing boots back on and took the position in goal against Hartlepool United.

It was not a successful return to playing for him, as New Brighton conceded three goals and scored none. McBain stayed with them for one more season (though he never played another match) and was sacked in February 1948. He continued to manage until 1963, including return stints at Watford and Ayr United, and passed away in 1974.