JOEY Beauchamp's goal for Oxford United against Blackpool at the Manor Ground in a crucial second division game in April 1996 has been voted the club's greatest goal of all time in a survey of fans conducted by the magazine Total Football.
More than 10,000 football fans were involved in the voting, with the magazine's readers and fans across the country being canvassed for their opinion. Some reached their conclusion by talking it through with fellow fans, others put articles in fanzines, and many ran the survey on internet sites and club mailing lists.
The results were surprising in that many fans didn't choose the obvious goal for their club. For example, Manchester United's wasn't George Best's goal in the 1968 European Cup final or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's in the 1999 European Cup final.
The earliest goal was from the 1903 FA Cup final (Bury), and the most recent was by Paul Evans for Brentford just two months ago. As well as Beauchamp's effort, which proved the catalyst for the club gaining promotion to Division 1 that season, other past and present Oxford United players were selected.
Paul Tait's goal against Carlisle United in the Auto Windscreens Shield final in April 1995 was chosen as the greatest Birmingham City goal ever.
And Dean Windass's goal against Wycombe Wanderers in October 1995 was named the best Hull City goal of all time. OTHER GREATEST GOALS
Arsenal: Mickey Thomas; Liverpool 0, Arsenal 2; Division 1, May 1999.
Chelsea: Roberto Di Matteo; Chelsea 2, Middlesbrough 0; FA Cup final, May 1997.
Everton: Andy Gray; Everton 3, Rapid Vienna 1; Cup Winners' Cup final 1985.
Leeds Utd: Allan Clarke; Leeds 1, Arsenal 0; FA Cup final 1972.
Liverpool: Terry McDermott; Liverpool 7, Tottenham 0; Division 1, Sep 1978.
Man Utd: Mark Hughes; Man Utd 1, Oldham Ath 1; FA Cup semi-final, Apr 1994.
Reading: Robin Friday; Reading 5, Tranmere 0; Division 4, March 1976.
Swindon Town: Don Rogers; Arsenal 1, Swindon Town 3; League Cup final 1969.
Tottenham: Ricardo Villa; Man City 2, Tottenham 3; FA Cup final replay 1981.
Story date: Friday 19 November
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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