The evolution of the goalscoring record has settled in two periods of its life, firstly, between 1907 and 1956 when Steve Bloomer held the record, joined by Vivian Woodward in 1911. Then when Nat Lofthouse came on as a substitute against Finland in May 1956, his two goals equalled that record, then beat it five minutes later. But over the next few years, both he and Tom Finney took turns in holding the record, until they finished their goalscoring career on thirty goals each on seperate dates in October 1958.

Secondly, in October 1963, when Bobby Charlton scored his 31st goal, and took the tally to 49 in 1970, the record remained unbroken, but not unchallenged, until 2015 when Wayne Rooney celebrated his fiftieth goal.



The first ever international match produced six goals, four from England, but in particular, two from William Kenyon-Slaney. Thus making him the record goalscorer from that very match in November 1872, until Charlie Bambridge scored twice in April 1879. Bambridge scored twice again in the following match, putting space between him and Kenyon-Slaney's past record. He scored a fifth in March 1881.

In the 13-0 demolition of Ireland in February 1882, Howard Vaughton scored five goals, thus possibly making him an equal-record holder. It is not known whether Vaughton had completed his haul before or after Bambridge scored his sixth England goal. Vaughton did score the only goal in the next match, against Scotland, and rightfully claiming half the mantel. It lasted less than a year, as Bambridge scored a seventh goal in February 1883. By the end of the 1885 set of matches, Bambridge had squeezed his tally up to twelve. In February 1889, Fred Dewhurst, in his ninth and final appearance, scored his twelfth and record-equalling goal.

In March 1891, Tinsley Lindley scored twice in his final appearance, equalling, then beating the record when he scored his thirteenth goal. Lindley held the goalscoring record for six years, almost keeping the record safe until on 3 April 1897, Steve Bloomer scored his thirteenth England goal. It would be a whole year later, against the same country that Bloomer, with his two goals, would make the record his own, until Woodward joined him in 1911.

