Long-shot kings: Beckham, Rooney... and Newport's Biggins

David Beckham and Wayne Rooney are famous for their long-range goals, but Newport County's Harrison Biggins has eclipsed even their best efforts.

Biggins' screamer in Newport's 2-1 defeat at Salford City has been measured at exactly 77.7 yards, which may well be an English Football League (EFL) record.

The sensational effort might even put Beckham's 59-yard stunner for Manchester United at Wimbledon in 1997 in the shade.

It also surpasses in distance Rooney's remarkable 61-yard goal for Everton at West Ham United in 2017.

Fans of League Two Newport are no strangers to applauding long-range 'worldie' goals.

Their former goalkeeper Tom King proudly boasts the Guinness World Record distance for a goal scored in a competitive football match - an astonishing 105-yard effort for Newport at Cheltenham in 2021.

BBC Sport Wales takes a look back at some of the furthest goals ever scored.

Where else could this list start, but with the World Record holder Tom King.

When Newport faced Cheltenham in blustery conditions at the Jonny-Rock Stadium in 2021, even King himself could have not expected what would follow.

The now-Everton stopper prepared to take an ordinary goal-kick.

But aided by the wind, his strike travelled the length of the pitch, bouncing over Cheltenham goalkeeper Joshua Griffiths and into the net.

It was the first time a goalkeeper had scored in a match in the English Football League since Barry Roche for Morecambe against Portsmouth in 2016.

King later admitted that even he didn't know how to celebrate the moment as he surpassed Asmir Begovic's previous record of 100.5 yards.

If King owns the overall record, then Moritz Stoppelkamp's effort for Paderborn is the longest ever scored by an outfield player.

Paderborn were leading Hannover 1-0 in a Bundesliga match in September 2014 when the visitors committed everyone forward in search of a late equaliser, including goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.

After the danger was cleared, the ball dropped to Stoppelkamp on the edge of his own penalty area.

With one touch to set himself, he unleashed a stunning strike on the volley from 83 metres (91 yards), into the unguarded net.

The effort set a new Bundesliga distance record, surpassing Giorgos Tzavellas' previous mark by 10 metres - more than 13 yards further than Biggins' strike.

Biggins' effort may not have threatened King's world record or be the furthest scored by an outfielder, but it has already secured a place among the EFL's most memorable long-range goals.

Newport County were under pressure against Salford City when the midfielder collected possession deep inside his own half.

Rather than simply clearing his lines or threading Shaquille Gwengwe in on goal, Biggins took a touch, beat a man and, spotting Norris well off his line, unleashed a rocket.

His stunning effort sailed over the stranded Norris and nestled in the net, prompting jubilant celebrations from the travelling supporters.

Unfortunately for Newport, the goal ultimately came in a 2-1 defeat after Salford staged a late comeback.

But it was further evidence of a player who has never been afraid to attempt the ambitious.

Newport boss Hayden Mullins has seen the midfielder attempt that kind of spectacular effort three times, the first a near-halfway lob against Roma in pre-season and the second striking the post from a 40-yard volley against Bristol Rovers.

"The goalkeeper was pretty high out the box and if there's one person who's going to try that, it is him," said Mullins.

"I didn't expect him to score, but it is a fantastic goal."

Biggins' strike stands at almost 20-yards further out than Rooney's tremendous strike at Goodison Park.

But what made Rooney's that little more special was that it clinched the former England striker's first hat-trick in more than six years.

As Joe Hart dispossessed the onrushing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he could do little to prevent the ball falling to Manchester United's all-time record goalscorer.

And when it fell at Rooney's feet, he made no mistake in drilling the ball over everyone and into the net.

A fine strike for a man who scored 366 career goals, but few more memorable than this.

Though not known for his goalscoring ability, netting just 16 times during his five-year spell at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso always had an eye for the spectacular long-range attempt.

Even he admits that his brilliant strike at St James' Park to give the Reds a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United is the best of his career.

The ball broke to the current Chelsea boss just inside his own half and having seen keeper Steve Harper off his line, his audacious effort from just over 60 yards nestled in the back of the net.

Harper in his scramble to get back slipped and could only watch in wonder as the ball sailed over his head.

It was the second time in a year that Alonso had scored from inside his own half, having found the net against Luton in the FA Cup in January that same year – so Newcastle cannot say they were not warned.

Current Wrexham man Josh Windass has always had the ability to shoot from range.

But none of his goals compare to the 60-yard strike he hit on New Year's Day, which ensured 2025 opened with a bang for Sheffield Wednesday supporters.

Running on to a loose ball inside his own half, the Owls forward took one touch before spotting goalkeeper Jacob Zetterstrom off his line and sending a remarkable effort looping into the far corner.

It sparked memorable celebrations at Hillsborough, but not from Windass, who instead soaked up the applause in his usual nonchalant demeanour, allowing himself just one wry smile.

No list of long-range goals would be complete without this man's name.

The goal that propelled Beckham into the headlines was one of the most impressive the Premier League era has seen.

The opening day of the season. Selhurst Park, 57 yards out, last minute. A ball broke to Beckham who - as has been a common theme throughout these goals - spotted goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line, went for the spectacular.

His inch-perfect attempt lobbed Sullivan and, in a career in which the former England captain scored 127 goals, this 57-yard lob against AFC Wimbledon perhaps ranks as his greatest strike.

Biggins' effort, scored during a wet and windy Tuesday night League Two encounter, will not attract the acclaim of the renowned goals from Beckham, Alonso or Rooney.

But the former Shrewsbury Town man may well have written himself in the EFL history books with his phenomenal 77.7-yard strike.