BBC Young Sports Personality Award
Rooney is named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year after breaking into Everton's first team and scoring spectacular Premier League goals.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Wayne Rooney Biography and Timeline
Follow Wayne Rooney through 68 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Wayne Rooney, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
68Distinct records
1 of 2Page
2002–2014Years on this page
2002
Everton Premier League Debut
Rooney makes his Premier League debut for Everton against Tottenham Hotspur as a sixteen-year-old, beginning his senior career in the top flight.
First Senior Goal Against Wrexham
Rooney scores his first competitive senior goals in a League Cup victory over Wrexham, announcing his finishing ability beyond youth football.
Stoppage-Time Winner Against Arsenal
Rooney curls an extraordinary late winner past David Seaman as Everton end Arsenal's long unbeaten league run at Goodison Park.
2003
Everton Winner Against Blackburn
Rooney continues his teenage breakthrough with decisive attacking displays for Everton, helping the club compete against established Premier League opponents.
Youngest England Scorer Against Macedonia
Rooney scores against Macedonia in a European Championship qualifier and becomes England's youngest goalscorer at the time.
2004
European Championship Double Against Switzerland
Rooney scores twice as England defeat Switzerland 3-0, becoming one of the standout teenage performers of Euro 2004.
Golden Boy Award
Rooney receives the Golden Boy distinction following his breakthrough displays for Everton, England and Manchester United.
Manchester United Debut Hat-Trick
Rooney scores a hat-trick against Fenerbahçe on his Manchester United debut, making an emphatic start to his Champions League career.
Quarter-Final Injury Against Portugal
Rooney suffers a foot injury during England's quarter-final against Portugal and leaves the match before England's eventual shootout elimination.
Rooney Leaves Everton For United
Wayne Rooney transfers from Everton to Manchester United after emerging as one of England’s most highly regarded young forwards.
Two Goals Against Croatia at Euro
Rooney strikes twice against Croatia in a 4-2 group victory that helps England reach the European Championship quarter-finals.
2005
League Cup Semi-Final Winner Against Chelsea
Rooney scores in the League Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, although United are eliminated on aggregate.
Newcastle Premier League Brace
Rooney scores twice during a dramatic Premier League victory at Newcastle United, illustrating his growing attacking partnership with United's forwards.
2006
League Cup Final Double Against Wigan
Rooney scores twice as Manchester United defeat Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the League Cup final and collects his first major United trophy.
World Cup Dismissal Against Portugal
Rooney is sent off in England's World Cup quarter-final against Portugal, which ends with a defeat on penalties.
2007
Champions League Semi-Final Goal Against Milan
Rooney scores twice against AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final first leg, including a late winner in a 3-2 home victory.
First Premier League Title With United
Rooney wins his first Premier League championship as Manchester United end Chelsea's two-season reign at the top of English football.
United Retain FA Community Shield
Rooney plays as Manchester United defeat Chelsea on penalties in the Community Shield, beginning another title-challenging season.
2008
Champions League Winner
Wayne Rooney pressed Chelsea's defenders and supported Ronaldo in United's attacking line in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, helping Manchester United win the competition.
Club World Cup Winning Goal
Rooney scores the only goal as ten-man Manchester United defeat LDU Quito and become FIFA Club World Cup champions.
Premier League Championship
Wayne Rooney wins the 2007/08 Premier League championship with Manchester United and combines work rate with creative attacking play to support United's title defence.
2009
Champions League Final Against Barcelona
Rooney plays in the Champions League final against Barcelona, but United lose 2-0 despite entering the match as defending champions.
Premier League Three-Peat
Rooney claims a third consecutive Premier League medal as Manchester United finish ahead of Liverpool in the title race.
2010
Bayern Munich Quarter-Final Opening Goal
Rooney scores an early away goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final before suffering an ankle injury.
Four Goals Against Hull City
Rooney scores all four Manchester United goals in a 4-0 victory over Hull City, a rare individual scoring feat in the league.
League Cup Final Winner Against Aston Villa
Rooney comes off the bench to head the winning goal against Aston Villa as Manchester United retain the League Cup at Wembley.
New Five-Year Manchester United Deal
Rooney signs a long-term Manchester United contract after publicly questioning the club's future ambitions, ending an intense transfer controversy.
2011
Champions League Final Equaliser Against Barcelona
Rooney equalises against Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley, although United ultimately lose 3-1.
Overhead Kick Wins Manchester Derby
Rooney scores a spectacular bicycle kick against Manchester City, giving United a 2-1 victory in a fiercely contested derby.
Premier League Title Number Four
Rooney helps Manchester United win the Premier League and adds a fourth English championship medal to his career.
Three Goals Against Arsenal in Eight-Two Win
Rooney scores a hat-trick as Manchester United overwhelm Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford in a remarkable early-season league match.
2012
Euro Winner Against Ukraine
Rooney returns from suspension and heads England's winning goal against Ukraine, sending his country into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.
Europa League Goal Against Athletic Bilbao
Rooney scores twice against Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford, although Manchester United lose the first leg of their Europa League tie.
Two Goals Against Manchester City Away
Rooney scores twice at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2 through a late Robin van Persie free kick.
2013
Champions League Last-Sixteen Trip to Madrid
Rooney takes part in Manchester United's Champions League tie against Real Madrid, which finishes in elimination following a controversial red card in the return leg.
Premier League Championship
Wayne Rooney wins the 2012/13 Premier League championship with Manchester United and creates chances and contributes goals during United's successful championship campaign.
New Manager David Moyes Era
Rooney remains a major attacking figure for Manchester United during David Moyes's first season after Sir Alex Ferguson retires.
2014
England Captain Against Slovenia
Rooney scores from the penalty spot against Slovenia during a European Championship qualifying victory, demonstrating his importance to England's attack.
England First World Cup Goal
Rooney scores his first World Cup finals goal against Uruguay, although England suffer a 2-1 group-stage defeat.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.