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Championship: Top Goal Scorers By Season

The Championship has a pretty compelling case to be considered the most exciting league in the world - it can be a nightmare for football betting fans with its up and down nature.

Not to mention that it often goes down to the last day of the season and the playoffs are theatre themselves.

Some players make a career for themselves as prolific Championship goal scorers – others use it as a stepping stone to greater things.

Our list below, detailing the highest scoring seasons in Championship history, contains a bit of both...

2021/22 - Aleksandar Mitrovic (43 goals)

After scoring 26 goals for Fulham in 2019-20, Aleksandar Mitrovic was back in the Championship in 2021 for a record-breaking campaign.

Fulham scored 106 goals in 2021-22 - 32 more than any other team - en route to automatic promotion.

One of the most prolific Championship strikers ever, Mitrovic scored 15 goals in the following Premier League season before a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League.

1992/93 - Guy Whittingham (42 goals)

The first Championship season – though it was still referred to as Division One back then – saw Guy Whittingham score 42 goals for Portsmouth.

Pompey couldn’t force their way into the automatic promotion spots, however, and they failed to make it up through the playoffs.

Whittingham was the definition of a journeyman striker, featuring for countless clubs up and down the pyramid. He went on to manage Portsmouth for a brief spell in 2012/13.

Championship player salaries were very different in Whittingham’s playing days.

2020/21 - Ivan Toney (31 goals)

Making his name with Peterborough before signing for Brentford in 2020, Ivan Toney set about a historic campaign. Toney's tally of 31 goals was the joint-second-most in EFL Championship history at the time.

His performances saw Brentford finish in third place, seven points ahead of fourth. The Bees ultimately earned promotion through the playoffs and established themselves as a Premier League team.

1998/99 - Lee Hughes (31 goals)

Lee Hughes starred for West Brom in 1998/99, but the Baggies had to settle for a mid-table finish despite his 31 goals in the league.

West Brom had to wait until 2001/02 to get the promotion they were so desperate for. Hughes was playing for Coventry at that point, but he returned to club after promotion.

At 43 years old, Hughes is still playing football for Mickleover Sports.

2012/13 - Glenn Murray (30 goals)

Continuing the journeyman striker theme, Glenn Murray bagged 30 for Crystal Palace in 2012/13 as the Eagles earned promotion through the playoffs.

Murray remained at the club until 2015, when he joined Palace’s bitter rivals Brighton. He helped the Seagulls get into the top flight too, and has since played a pivotal role in keeping them up.

He wasn’t necessarily a favourite in the Championship top scorer odds, but Murray has a good record in the division and played a massive part in two promotion campaigns.

1997/98 - Pierre van Hooijdonk (29 goals)

In that same season, Dutch star Pierre van Hooijdonk bagged 29 goals for Nottingham Forest.

The two-time European champions were unfortunately relegated the following season, and Hooijdonk left Britain for Holland where he bagged 25 goals in 29 appearances for Vitesse Arnhem before joining Benfica in 2000.

1997/98 - Kevin Phillips (29 goals)

Sunderland missed out on promotion by a solitary point in 1997/98.

That disappointment wasn’t down to a lack of production from England international Kevin Phillips, however, as Phillips hit the back of the net 29 times throughout the season.

Unfortunately for the Black Cats, they couldn’t avoid a dramatic defeat to Charlton in the playoff final.

2018/19 - Teemu Pukki (29 goals)

Teemu Pukki was a sensation in Norwich’s 2018/19 promotion campaign. Not many Championship betting tipsters had Norwich cruising to promotion, but Pukki led the way as Daniel Farke’s side made it look easy.

The Finn picked up where he left off at the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season, though repeating the 29 he amassed last season is unlikely.

2001/02 - Shaun Goater (28 goals)

Feed the Goat and he will score. Shaun Goater was a fan favourite at Manchester City and remains one of the most popular players in the club’s history.

As Manchester City accumulated 99 points in the 2001/02 season, Goater was unstoppable, scoring 28 of his 103 goals for the club in the league that season.

2013/14 - Ross McCormack (28 goals)

Ross McCormack’s 28 goals for Leeds in 2013/14 wasn’t enough to make the iconic Yorkshire club competitive, as they finished 15th, 15 points off the playoffs.

McCormack got a big move to relegated Fulham as a result, but he was unable to build on his form from the previous season.

His time in west London was frustrating and he never hit the heights of that final campaign at Elland Road.

2012/13 - Jordan Rhodes (28 goals)

Finishing runner-up to McCormack in 2013/14 made it two runner-up finishes in the Golden Boot Race in a row for Jordan Rhodes. His 28 goals in 2012/13 were pipped by Glenn Murray’s 30.

Rhodes developed a reputation as one of the most prolific scorers in the Football League. It all started when Huddersfield picked him up from Ipswich, and a brilliant spell with Blackburn followed.

Unfortunately for the Scottish international, though, he’s yet to make an impression in the Premier League. His football prediction odds of making it at the top level were positive but it never really worked out for him.

Top Scorers by EFL Championship Season

2024-25 - Joel Piroe (19 goals)
2023-24 - Sammie Szmodics (27 goals)
2022-23 - Chuba Akpom (28 goals)
2021-22 - Aleksandar Mitrovic (43 goals)
2020-21 - Ivan Toney (31 goals)
2019-20 - Aleksandar Mitrovic (26 goals)
2018-19 - Teemu Pukki (29 goals)
2017-18 - Matej Vydra (21 goals)
2016-17 - Chris Wood (27 goals)
2015-16 - Andre Gray (25 goals)
2014-15 - Daryl Murphy (27 goals)
2013-14 - Ross McCormack (28 goals)
2012-13 - Glenn Murray (30 goals)
2011-12 - Rickie Lambert (27 goals)
2010-11 - Danny Graham (24 goals)
2009-10 - Peter Whittingham, Nathan Maynard (20 goals)
2008-09 - Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (25 goals)
2007-08 - Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (23 goals)
2006-07 - Jamie Cureton (23 goals)
2005-06 - Marlon King (21 goals)
2004-05 - Nathan Ellington (25 goals)

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

August 26, 2025

Championship

By Sam Cox

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Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.

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Marcus Rashford Net Worth, Salary & Predicted Wealth

Abruptly jumping from Carrington academy talent to Manchester United and England star, Marcus Rashford’s career has been one of ups and downs.

From unreachable expectations to prolonged form slumps, Rashford has never been a sports betting favourite for the Ballon d’Or, yet his career is one many could only dream of.

At times, he looked unstoppable. At others, his attitude has wrongly been questioned and his admirable commitment to social issues has been criticised.

It hasn’t helped that his career has coincided with Manchester United being no more than an afterthought in the Premier League betting markets. Plenty of people are to blame for the Red Devils’ slumber – Rashford is not one of them.

In and out of favour with England and often linked with moves abroad, Rashford finally got his opportunity outside the Premier League when he joined Barcelona in 2025.

How Much Is Marcus Rashford Worth?

According to the Mirror, Rashford’s net worth is around £60 million. Estimates of Rashford’s overall value vary considerably. One thing is for sure – he’s earned millions throughout his playing career thanks to a massive contract with Manchester United.

As reported in the same publication, Rashford lost endorsement deals with Beat’s, Burberry, and Levi’s after a drop in form across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.

When he joined Aston Villa on loan, his income from Nike reportedly decreased, too, with Villa sitting in a lower category than United.

When he initially penned his deal with Nike, it was worth around £1.5 million annually. Add in his other endorsements, and it’s easy to see how Rashford collected millions in personal wealth.

Contract

In July 2023, Rashford signed a five-year contract extension with Manchester United. The deal pays £325,000 per week and keeps Rashford at Old Trafford – theoretically – until after the 2027/28 season.

Rashford has been marginalised since signing his new contract. He scored 11 goals in 48 Premier League appearances across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons before being loaned to Villa for the second half of the latter campaign.

John Murtough, who was United’s football director at the time, said, “He is a brilliant talent but also humble, dedicated and driven.

"As he enters his prime years, we know there is still so much more to come from him, and we can see the hunger that Marcus feels to achieve the highest levels of success here at Manchester United.”

Rashford, according to BBC Sport, turned down more lucrative deals to stay with his boyhood club.

The England international reflected on his journey at the club, stating: "I joined Manchester United as a seven-year-old boy with a dream. That same passion, pride, and determination to succeed still drives me every time I have the honour of wearing the shirt.

"I've already had some amazing experiences at this incredible club, but there is still a lot more to achieve and I remain relentlessly determined to win more trophies in the years ahead."

Barcelona

In July 2025, Rashford signed a season-long loan deal with Barcelona. The Catalan giants have a £30.3 million option to buy Rashford at the end of the season.

Rashford became the first Englishman to play for Barca in 40 years, since fellow striker Gary Lineker donned the iconic garnet and blue.

In his first interview as a Barca player, Rashford reserved special praise for manager Hansi Flick: "The work he did last season was sensational. He has been really important in the whole process."

Girlfriend

Rashford was seen with Lucia Loi, his ex-fiancee, during his media obligations when completing his move to Barcelona. The couple called off their engagement in 2022 but have reportedly remained close.

Since meeting at secondary school in Ashton, it has been an on-and-off relationship. A split in 2021 was followed by reconciliation and an engagement a few months later.

Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim was hired as Manchester United manager in the first half of the 2024/25 season. Amorim quickly had a difficult relationship with Rashford, claiming he couldn’t get the England international to see how he needs him to play.

Following his loan move to Villa, Rashford was exiled from first-team training and stripped of the number 10 shirt.

Amorim is adamant it isn’t a personal issue with Rashford. The former Sporting manager said, “If he changes, we are more than welcome to put a talent like Rashford [in the squad]. And we need it.

"But in this moment, I think it's really clear that we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Marcus, if he wants [to play] really really bad."

It’s clear Rashford will not play for United again as long as Amorim is in charge.

In January 2025, Amorim said of Rashford, "You can see on the bench we miss a bit of pace on the bench, but I would put [Manchester United goalkeeper coach Jorge] Vital before a player who doesn't give the maximum every day."

Honours

FA Cup – 2015/16, 2023/24
EFL Cup – 2016/17, 2022/23
Europa League – 2016/17
Premier League Fans’ Player of the Year – 2022/23
Guardian Footballer of the Year – 2020

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

*Odds accurate at time of writing - prices subject to change*

August 21, 2025

888Business

By Sam Cox

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What Is The City Football Group And Which Clubs Are In It?

Multi-club ownership is not uncommon in football these days, a circumstance that made the news this summer.

Having won the FA Cup for the first time in their history, Crystal Palace were relishing the prospect of competing in the Europa League this term, that was until UEFA stepped in, demoting the Eagles to the Conference League instead.

With US businessman John Textor owning a stake in the club, as well as being the majority owner of Lyon, it was deemed to be a potential conflict of interests, as Lyon too had qualified for the competition.

Palace are currently appealing the decision, citing double standards in Manchester City and Girona being allowed to participate in the Champions League last year, despite both clubs being owned by the City Football Group (CFG).

UEFA’s argument in response takes us into the weeds of small print that essentially says it’s fine for companies to own two or more clubs competing in the same tournament. It is not permissible however when it concerns individuals.

CFG of course were one of the original examples of multi-club owners with the energy drinks giant Red Bull another. Along with Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls, they have varying stakes in a number of other clubs, including RB Leipzig and Leeds United.

As impressive a stable it is though – with eight affiliated clubs all told, falling under their umbrella - what they lack is a behemoth, a standard-bearer that resides among the very elite in world football.
That’s what CFG possess in Manchester City, the club where it al began for them.

Manchester City

On August 4th, 2008, a newly founded private equity company named the Abu Dhabi United Group purchased Manchester City lock, stock and barrel.

The takeover of the top-flight side seemingly took everybody by surprise but it didn’t take long before it dominated the news cycle, especially as the owner of ADUG was Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a prominent member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

At his disposal was wealth unimaginable, resources that could utterly transform the club to the point of making them a global superpower.

To demonstrate this, on the same day the takeover was officially confirmed, City signed Robinho from Real Madrid. Just three months prior they had lost 8-0 up at Middlesbrough.

What happened next to the Blues is a tale familiar to us all, the club growing ever-more in stature, going on to sign the ilk of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Keven De Bruyne.

In the 17 years post-takeover they have won eight league titles, 13 domestic cups and the Champions League. Perennially they are hot favourites in the Premier League betting.

Yet if we focus on the rise of the City Football Group we must go back to September 2012, to a key signing. In this instance it is not the purchasing of a player but rather the appointment of a new CEO, lured across from Barcelona. His name is Ferran Soriano.

It had long been Soriano’s vision to conceive a global footballing entity, something he had attempted with middling success in Catalonia.

At City however he now had the resources – and wholesale backing – to do it properly.

In May 2013, New York City Football Club came into being, officially announced as the MLS’s 20th expansion team. Founded by the newly established City Football Group, the club’s first team strip would of course be sky blue.

Soon after, CFG acquired a controlling stake in the Australian A-League side Melbourne Heart. They were subsequently rebranded as Melbourne City.

On the pitch in Manchester, Roberto Mancini and his successor Manuel Pellegrini were set on building a dynasty. Off it, Soriano was constructing an empire.

Who are City Football Group?

CFG is majority owned by ADUG, their stake accounting for 81% of the company.

In 2019, 10% of the company was sold to US private equity firm Silver Lake for $500m, a deal that valued CFG at $4.8 billion. Silver Lake has since purchased a further 8%.

The remaining 1% is held by two Chinese firms, China Media Capital and CITIC Capital.

In 2025, CFG have total, or partial, ownership of 12 clubs, spread across the globe, while also partnering four clubs, those being – Vannes in France, Istanbul Basaksehir, Geylang International in Singapore, and Club Bolivar in Bolivia.

They have also invested significantly in the women’s game, with Manchester City Women, Girona Femeni, Palermo Women and Melbourne City Women under their domain.

Naturally, with the CFG based in the UK, and given the enormous scale and scope of their original club, Manchester City is the flagship of the far-reaching enterprise. Here are the other 11, in order of purchase or conception.

New York City

Playing their football at the iconic Yankee Stadium, the ‘Pigeons’ have experienced mixed fortunes since joining the MLS franchise in 2015.

In 2021, they won the MLS Cup while for four years fans delighted in the sight of live betting favourite David Villa leading their front-line, a striker always capable of upending the odds when in sight of goal.

But there has also been plenty of disappointments too from a club that perhaps could have kicked on more considering the funding available.

Melbourne City

Previously, Melbourne Heart, the Australian side have also benefitted from having Villa leading their line, on loan in 2014.

Success has come to AAMI Park post-takeover, with two A-League titles won as well as three near misses.

Yokohama F. Marinos

Extending their reaches to Asia, CFG partnered up with Nissan in 2014 to take over the Tricolor, who compete in Japan’s J1 League.

Two league titles have been won since, in addition to numerous mid-table finishes.

Montevideo City Torque

Residing in the Uruguayan top-flight after achieving promotion last year, Torque have been part of the CFG roster since 2017.

In 2021, an academy was completed near to the stadium, intended to develop emerging and exciting South American talent.

Girona

In the summer of 2017, CFG purchased a 44.3% stake in the Catalonian side, an identical share to what is held by Girona Football Group. The latter is run by Pere Guardiola, brother of Pep.

Relegation to Segunda Division occurred soon after the takeover but the White and Reds have bounced back brilliantly, over-achieving in 2023/24 by finishing third in La Liga.

One of their stand-out stars of that season, the winger Savinho, transferred to Manchester City that summer for a mutually agreeable fee of £30.8m.

Shenzhen Peng City

Making inroads into the highly profitable Chinese market, CFG secured partial ownership (47%) of Peng City in 2019.

The club was only founded in 2017, originally named Sichuan Jiuniu and limited by their amateur status. It now competes in the Chinese Super League.

Lommel

As the club approaches its centenary year, Lommel compete in the Belgian second tier, their ambitions now loftier from CFG’s controlling interest.

It is all a far cry from seismic struggles endured across the 2000s, when they lost their professional status.

Troyes

CFG secured a majority stake in the French outfit in September 2020 and ever since it’s been a rollercoaster ride for a club reborn in 1979 after going bust.

A promotion to Ligue 1 was quickly followed by relegation to Ligue 2. They even dropped to the third tier until they were saved by a reshuffle of participants.

Presently, Troyes appear to have stabilised. We will see.

Palermo

The famous old club all-but ceased to exist in 2019, excluded from all professional leagues in Italy after being unable to meet even basic financial obligations such as insuring their ground.

A phoenix club was duly born, one that swiftly rose through the divisions. It was a resurrection that was assisted by a CFG takeover in 2022. I Rosanero compete this term in Serie B.

Mumbai City

The Islanders’ enjoyed a global presence long before CFG acquired a 65% stake in 2020, appointing Peter Reid to their dug-out six years prior and bringing over marquee talent such as Nicolas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg to India.

Bahia

The Brazilian top-flight side enjoyed huge success in the Eighties before encountering sustained troubles that sent them spiralling down the football pyramid.

Revived in recent years they were taken over by CFG in late 2022, with 98.6% of club members voting for it. Unlike several of their peers however, Bahia insisted on retaining their club colours and badge.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

August 19, 2025

Football

By Stephen Tudor

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Stephen Tudor is a freelance football writer and sports enthusiast who only knows slightly less about the beautiful game than you do.

A contributor to FourFourTwo and Forbes, he is a Manchester City fan who was taken to Maine Road as a child because his grandad predicted they would one day be good.

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2021/22 - Aleksandar Mitrovic (43 goals)

1992/93 - Guy Whittingham (42 goals)

2020/21 - Ivan Toney (31 goals)

1998/99 - Lee Hughes (31 goals)

2012/13 - Glenn Murray (30 goals)

1997/98 - Pierre van Hooijdonk (29 goals)

1997/98 - Kevin Phillips (29 goals)

2018/19 - Teemu Pukki (29 goals)

2001/02 - Shaun Goater (28 goals)

2013/14 - Ross McCormack (28 goals)

2012/13 - Jordan Rhodes (28 goals)

Top Scorers by EFL Championship Season

How Much Is Marcus Rashford Worth?

Contract

Barcelona

Girlfriend

Ruben Amorim

Honours

Alisson, Liverpool (£150,000 p/w)

Emiliano Martínez, Aston Villa (£150,000 p/w)

Bernd Leno, Fulham (£130,000 p/w)

Jordan Pickford, Everton (£125,000 p/w)

André Onana, Manchester United (£120,000 p/w)

Manchester City

Who are City Football Group?

New York City

Melbourne City

Yokohama F. Marinos

Montevideo City Torque

Girona

Shenzhen Peng City

Lommel

Troyes

Palermo

Mumbai City

Bahia

Players with 100 Premier League Goals

Fastest Player To 100 Premier League Goals

Centurions By Premier League Club:

Premier League 100 Club by Country:

CENTRAL FUNDING

GATE RECEIPTS

MATCH STREAMING

PLAY-OFF PARTICIPATION

SPONSORSHIP/ADVERTISING

MERCHANDISE SALES

CUP RUNS

MAJOR TRANSFERS

Erling Haaland, Manchester City (£525,000 p/w)

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool (£400,000 p/w)

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool (£350,000 p/w)

Casemiro, Manchester United (£350,000 p/w)

Raheem Sterling, Chelsea (£325,000 p/w)

How Many Signings Have Chelsea Made Under Todd Boehly?

How Much is the Chelsea Transfer Spend Under Boehly?

How Much is the Chelsea Transfer Income Under Boehly?

Complete List of Who Chelsea Have Signed Under Todd Boehly So Far

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