The moment has arrived and, in truth, it didn’t take that long at all: Harry Kane has become England’s all-time leading goalscorer and his predecessor, Wayne Rooney, was the first to congratulate him.
On an evening where the Three Lions managed their first win in Italy for the first time in over 60 years, it was the nation’s number nine and Spurs striker Harry Kane who sealed the victory with his customary penalty which was tucked away with trademark precision, as per.
Kane’s 54th international goal saw him surpass Rooney’s record set back in 2016 when Roy Hodgson’s squad bowed out of the Euros against Iceland — the ex-Manchester United man having himself dispatched his final goal via a spot kick.
That being said, it was only fitting that the former England skipper led the tributes, wasting no time in congratulating him and joking, “I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick”.
Congratulations to @HKane on becoming @England’s all-time leading goalscorer. I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick 🤣. Great man, unbelievable goalscorer and an England legend. Congrats Harry 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/mX7M8S8al3
Not only did ‘Wazza‘ hail Kane as a “great man, unbelievable goalscorer and an England legend” already, but the 37-year-old also went on to pen his own column in The Times the following morning.
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He started by recognising that “when [he] broke the England goalscoring record, with a penalty against Switzerland in September 2015, Harry Kane was the first player to run over and celebrate with [him].
The England legend went on to mention Harry in the speech he gave in the dressing room shortly after, insisting that he “hoped the young players in the squad would come close to the record themselves” and eventually go on to move past him — Kane already clearly one who didn’t even need the encouragement.
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Social media was soon awash with praise, with William Prince of Wales and president of the FA, paying tribute to the England star, writing: “A leader on and off the pitch, and now England’s record goalscorer, a testament to your brilliant career… Congratulations and here’s to many more. W.”
Many congratulations to @HKane on becoming @England’s highest ever goal-scorer. A wonderful achievement. 👏🏻👏🏻
While questions might remain as to whether the 29-year-old needs to move on from Spurs to win the trophies he so desires and to reach the heights he so clearly has the potential to, Harry Kane continues to prove time and time and again why he captains both his country and his club.
One thing is for sure, he’s destined to become the greatest-ever Premier League goalscorer and he’s already England’s time goalscorer, and just like Rooney before him, the celebration, the reaction from his teammates and the speech he gave after shows just how much it means to him and the Three Lions.
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Congratulations, Harry — here’s to the many more that are sure to come.
An emotional moment in the #ThreeLions dressing room. ❤️
Featured Image — Harry Kane (via Instagram)/The FA/England(via Twitter)
Sport
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
Danny Jones -
24th March 2023 
