Hanworth Villa FC

Hanworth Villa FC

England Accredited

Goal of the year award for Merson

1 December 2025

Remember that goal? The one scored on Tuesday, 4 March 2025? If you don’t remember, a lovely forward ball was controlled by Merson with his first touch, before he span almost on the spot to volley over the Farnham Town keeper.

Not only did this goal earn Villa a point against the eventual league champions, Farnham Town, but it also drew a lot of attention across the media, with Sky Sports, BBC Sport, and others featuring that fine move. It had already won the Non-League Papers Goal of the season award (24/25), and now Sam has picked up another award from the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA): Goal of the Year, as voted for by fans from around the world.

There was stiff competition for the award, with Merson up against a strong list of goals.
The full nominations were:

  • Josh Windass – Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County
  • Sean McGurk – Ebbsfleet United v Yeovil Town
  • George Abbott – Accrington Stanley v Notts County
  • Viviane Miedema – Aston Villa Women v Manchester City Women
  • Kaoru Mitoma – Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea
  • Sam Merson – Hanworth Villa v Farnham Town
  • Cathinka Tandberg – Everton Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women
  • Micky van de Ven – Tottenham Hotspur v FC København

We think you’ll agree with this level of competition, the award shows the quality and precision Sam Merson has in his game. He is a credit to our club and to the wider non-league community.

Hanworth Villas' director of media Dave Rees said on Mersons award: “This just goes to show the fantastic level of football you can see across the non-league pyramid. Sam has treated us to some real spectacular goals over his time at Villa, although of course this one really pushes the limit and to win this award, voted for by football fans, against such spectacular goals and clubs is a real credit to Merse. Thank you to football fans everywhere who voted and if you havent been to your local non-league club before or recently get down to see them, you may just see something spectacular!” 

Thank you to the FSA. If you don’t already know, the Football Supporters’ Association is the national, democratic, representative body for football supporters in England and Wales. They are leading advocates for better fan engagement, cheaper ticket prices, the choice to stand at matches, protecting fan rights, good governance, diversity, and all forms of supporter empowerment. With their work mainly influencing the top six tiers of the pyramid, this award is even more special.

Congratulations to Sam, who thoroughly deserves this recognition.