Football

Step aside Totti – George Horan is the new record holder

George Horan (red – second from left) scores the goal which made UEFA Champions League history. PICTURE: NIK MESNEY, NCM MEDIA

Connah’s Quay Nomads captain George Horan has made a remarkable piece of history.

Horan has leapt above the likes of legends Francesco Totti, Ryan Giggs and Filippo Inzaghi by becoming the oldest player to score a goal in the UEFA Champions League.

At the age of 39 years and 139 days, the Chester-born defender went top of the list after netting the equaliser in the 79th minute of Wednesday night’s first qualifying round, first leg tie against FC Alashkert of Armenia.

The game ended 2-2 and the return leg takes place in Yerevan next Wednesday.

George celebrates his special goal. PICTURE: NIK MESNEY, NCM MEDIA

When he scored at neutral Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Horan took the Oldest Champions League Goalscorer title from Totti of Roma, who was 38 years and 59 days when he found the net against CSKA Moskva on November 25, 2014.

In two spells with Nomads, Horan has made more than 400 appearances and chalked up 47 goals. He rates as one of the best-ever Welsh Premier goalscoring defenders alongside the likes of Steve Evans and Timmy Edwards.

Born on February 18, 1982, Horan has captained Nomads to back-to-back Cymru Premier titles, as well as Welsh Cup and League Cup triumphs. He also enjoyed great success with former clubs Chester and Rhyl.

Oldest UEFA Champions League goalscorers (as of July 7, 2021)

39 years 139 days George Horan (Connah’s Quay Nomads) – vs FC Alashkert, 7/7/2021
38 years 59 days: Francesco Totti (Roma) – vs CSKA Moskva, 25/11/14
37 years 290 days: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) – vs Benfica, 14/09/11
37 years 87 days: Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan) – vs Real Madrid, 03/11/10
37 years 72 days: Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan) – vs Tottenham Hotspur, 20/10/10
36 years 339 days: Laurent Blanc (Manchester United) – vs Olympiacos v, 23/10/02