Championship England top scorers: No.1 is the king of lower-league football

We surely all remember the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic or Troy Deeney, phenomenal figures who once set the Premier League alight before eventually fading from the top-flight spotlight. While they might not be "scoring machines" capable of dismantling the world’s most glamorous league like Erling Haaland today, their explosive moments were undeniable. You should never underestimate these strikers unless you want to pay a heavy price on the pitch. 

Crucially, both names built their formidable reputations in the Championship before seizing their opportunities in the Premier League. Today, Soccerwayuk asserts that the English first division still hides many "goal bombs" within its ranks. Let us look back at these iconic faces through the list of the top 10 Championship England top scorers of all time.

The 10 greatest Championship England top scorers in history

10. Troy Deeney

Starting at number ten is the Watford icon Troy Deeney with 95 goals in 278 Championship appearances. Deeney’s physical presence and leadership were legendary at Vicarage Road, especially during the 2014-15 season when he led the Hornets to Premier League promotion. 

During his peak at Watford, he became the first player in the club's history to score 20+ goals in three consecutive seasons. Although he never earned a full England cap, he remained a cult hero before ending his Championship journey at Birmingham City. Deeney moved into management briefly in 2023 but remains a symbol of Championship resilience.

9. Tom Ince

At number nine, we find Tom Ince, the only primary winger to grace this list. Ince has netted 94 goals in the Championship throughout a storied career. Known for his creative flair and clinical edge, his golden era came at Blackpool between 2011 and 2014, where he scored 31 goals in 100 appearances, earning a reputation as one of the league's most exciting talents. He later contributed significantly to Derby County, scoring 34 goals in 105 games. Now 34, Ince continues to compete at this level with Watford, aiming to add to his tally.

8. Lukas Jutkiewicz

The eighth spot belongs to Lukas Jutkiewicz, who has recorded 98 goals in 465 games. A true journeyman of the EFL, Jutkiewicz played for clubs like Coventry City, Middlesbrough, and Burnley, but his most impactful years have been at Birmingham City. Joining in 2016, he became the focal point of their attack, consistently hitting double figures.

At 36, he is currently playing for Birmingham in League One, but with the club likely to return to the second tier, he may yet reach the elusive 100-goal milestone.

7. Nahki Wells

Ranking seventh is Nahki Wells, a striker who rose from non-league football to become a Championship mainstay with 111 goals. Wells first tasted success at Bradford City before moving to Huddersfield Town in 2014, where he scored 45 goals and helped the Terriers achieve a historic Premier League promotion via the play-offs in 2017. 

He continued his scoring exploits at QPR and Burnley, and currently, he is still an active threat for Bristol City, continuing to rise in these rankings during the 2025-26 season. Internationally, Wells is a hero for Bermuda, scoring 17 goals in 25 appearances.

6. Lewis Grabban

Lewis Grabban sits at number six with 112 goals in 281 matches. Grabban was the definition of a "promotion specialist," winning the play-offs with Norwich in 2015 and Nottingham Forest in 2022. His most prolific spell came at Forest, where he scored 54 goals in 143 games, serving as captain during their successful return to the top flight. 

Grabban was known for his intelligent movement and clinical finishing across 13 seasons. After a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old retired and is now an academy coach at Nottingham Forest.

5. Chris Martin

In fifth place is Chris Martin with 114 goals in 444 appearances. Martin’s peak years were spent at Derby County between 2013 and 2020, where he netted 64 goals and was widely considered the best hold-up striker in the league.

A former Scotland international with 17 caps and 3 goals, Martin represented his country at the highest level. Though he only had brief spells in the Premier League with Norwich and Hull, his Championship legacy is secure. 

4. Ross McCormack 

Ross McCormack holds the fourth spot with 120 goals in 331 games. McCormack was once the most feared individual in the league, particularly at Leeds United, where he finished as the Championship's Golden Boot winner in 2013-14 with 28 goals. He was a unique talent, often operating as a second striker with an "X-factor" for long-range strikes and free-kicks. 

He later joined Fulham for a record fee and continued his dominance. For Scotland, he earned 13 caps, scoring twice. Now aged 39, he plays for Doncaster City in the 11th tier of English football.

3. David Nugent

The bronze medal goes to David Nugent, who scored 121 goals. Nugent’s career was defined by his tireless work rate at Preston North End and Leicester City. With the Foxes, he won the Championship title in 2014, scoring 20 goals that season. Notably, Nugent is famous for having a 100% scoring record for the England national team, netting in his only appearance against Andorra in 2007. He retired in 2021 at the age of 36 after a brief spell at Tranmere Rovers.

2. Jordan Rhodes

In second place is Jordan Rhodes with 123 goals in 379 matches. Rhodes was a natural poacher who flourished at Blackburn Rovers, scoring 82 goals in just 159 games. His ability to find space in the box was unmatched, earning him moves to Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday.

A Scotland international with 14 caps and 3 goals, Rhodes was a consistent threat for over a decade. He currently plays for Mansfield Town in League One, having last appeared in the Championship in 2025.

1. Billy Sharp

Finally, at the pinnacle is Billy Sharp, the undisputed king of the EFL with 130 goals. A legendary figure at Sheffield United, Sharp led his boyhood club to two Premier League promotions. He is the ultimate "bagsman," known for his predatory instincts. Besides his Championship record, he is also the 5th all-time scorer in League One with 104 goals. 

At 39, the "Blades Legend" is still active, playing for Doncaster Rovers in the lower leagues, leaving behind a legacy that may never be broken.

Top 10 all-time Championship scorers:

Billy Sharp – 130 goals

Jordan Rhodes – 123 goals

David Nugent – 121 goals

Ross McCormack – 120 goals

Chris Martin – 114 goals

Lewis Grabban – 112 goals

Nahki Wells – 109 goals

Lukas Jutkiewicz – 98 goals

Troy Deeney – 95 goals

Tom Ince – 94 goals

Are you impressed by any specific "goal bomb" among these ten names that Soccerwayuk.com has just revealed in the list of Championship England top scorers? Each player has left an indelible mark on English football, proving that greatness exists far beyond the bright lights of the Premier League.

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