Oct 26, 2012
Unknown goalie scores the most important goal in soccer team’s history
In 1999, the Carlisle United soccer team from the county of Cumbria in northwest England was on the verge of being relegated down a league. They had to win against Plymouth Argyle or it was a done deal. The score was 1-1, 10 seconds left. Time for one more play, a corner kick.
With nothing to lose, Carlisle moved their whole team in front of the net in a final effort to make something happen. This included the goalkeeper, Jimmy Glass, an unknown player on loan from another team.
Here’s the story…
The transcript of the announcer sums things up pretty well…
Well, well … and the corner kick comes in … and … the goalkeeper’s punch … oh … Jimmy Glass! Jimmy Glass! Jimmy Glass, the goalkeeper, has scored a goal for Carlisle United!
There’s a pitch invasion! There is a pitch invasion! The referee has been swamped – they’re bouncing on the crossbar!
Despite only ever playing three games for Carlisle, Jimmy Glass (as an announcer in a different clip remarked) will never have to buy a drink in Cumbria again.
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wow they almost made it seem like it was a heroic , practically impossible thing and not just lame…
A keeper scoring a goal of that magnitude? That is practically impossible. To keep his team from being relegated as well, he’s a hero to those fans.
much more beyond that. They should raise him a statue! There are few moments in life that could create such a great feeling of joy and happiness for the fans! i am sure this is a story for grandsons to be told.
This has got to be one of the most dramatic and inspirational sports moments EVER.
This is more than just being relegated from a league. Carlisle faced relegation from the Football League (Which is comprised of 4 divisions, or leagues), to the Conference (also known as “non-league”). At the time only 1 team was promoted from non-league to league football a season, so relegation out of the Football League would have had severe financial implications, and Glass’ goal may have ensured the survival of a football team like Carlisle, which in 1999 had been in existence for 95 years.
I think it’s a bit unfair to label him as “unknown”, as he had played over 100 games at professional level. If anything, he was a journeyman. He’s certainly not an unknown now. His goal is probably the most famous in the football league for the past 20 years.
Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also
The problem was Carlisle where in finical crisis if he had not scored they would have vanished from existence. In 2005 after there financial problems where solved they did drop down A , sparking the great revival. they went up off the play offs the won the league and made it to the football league trophy final, Since that point they have not been relegated been to two more finals and won one. Without this moment this would never have happened they would be no team left to fight.