Motherwell this week reminded fans of a piece of striking brilliance from Jim Hamilton.
The Fir Park hero produced a truly jaw-dropping volley in a 2006 clash with Celtic that is arguably the greatest-ever goal scored by a Motherwell player.
The majesty of the strike, caught on the volley with perfect timing, was unbelievable as it soared past a helpless Artur Boruc. A cleaner finish you are unlikely to find.
Now 15 years on from the spectacular effort, Motherwell have paid tribute to the goal with a classy animation.
"It's a CLASSIC from Jim Hamilton."
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) January 22, 2021
Fifteen years on, you still won't see a better goal pic.twitter.com/dijpw1wc8A
It was voted SPL goal of the decade in 2010 and it got us thinking about the super strikes we've seen down the last 15 years from Motherwell.
So here we look back at 15 stunners from the Steelmen, including Hamilton's howizter.
Jim Hamilton v Celtic
Where else would we start than by letting you feat your eyes on that strike in all it's glory.
A cross-field delivery from Brian Kerr perfectly executed by Hamilton.
| Once named as SPL Goal of the Decade, this strike from former @MotherwellFC man Jim Hamilton is simply sensational#TBT pic.twitter.com/KFTiazOlAK
— SPFL (@spfl) August 16, 2018
James McFadden v St Mirren
Faddy fired home a stunning free-kick late on to claim a point against St Mirren in April 2013.
The Scotland star, who was on his second spell at the club, found the top corner with a terrific strike past Samson in a 2-2 draw.
Feast your eyes on this...
From the archive ...
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) April 14, 2020
"It's vintage James McFadden"
James McFadden curls home a superb free-kick to earn Motherwell a 2-2 draw against St Mirren in April 2013, with the Fir Park side finishing Scottish Premiership runners-up a month later
Happy Birthday, Faddy pic.twitter.com/oo1ZeZQD3B
Michael Higdon v Dundee United
In April 2013 sent an absolute howitzer of a strike past United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak.
Higdon let pop from distance and the swerving strike fizzed into the net off the post during a 3-1 victory at Tannadice.
He was at the double that day with Henrik Ojamaa also on target, and would go on to win their player of the year that season.
#OnThisDay in 2013, eventual Player of the Year winner Michael Higdon blasted in this rocket for @MotherwellFC against @DundeeUnitedFC! pic.twitter.com/bpykIVzUnX
— SPFL (@spfl) April 19, 2018
Michael Higdon v Hibs
Bicycle kicks are always pleasing on the eye and this effort from February 2012 is no different.
Jamie Murphy kept the ball alive after Henrik Ojamma's thundering strike hit the crossbar and Higdon provided a stunning finish
Motherwell won the thrilling game 4-3, with Higdon hitting a hat-trick that included two penalties.
| High flying Higdon! During his time at @MotherwellFC, Michael Higdon was virtually unstoppable! Check out his cracking overhead kick against Hibs! #TBT pic.twitter.com/P49lZIUoqN
— SPFL (@spfl) December 13, 2018
Lukas Jutkiewicz v Hibs
A thunderbolt of a strike from the big striker in May 2010 ensured his place in Motherwell folklore as he completed the most remarkable of comebacks in a 12-goal thriller with the Hibees.
Motherwell trailed 6-2, but in the third minute of stoppage time Jutkiewicz topped off a pulsating clash with a breathtaking finish past Graeme Smith. A John Sutton hat-trick, a Giles Coke double and a Tom Hately effort also supported the Steelmen on the way to a 6-6 draw that is regarded as one of the greatest games ever seen in the top flight.
| Lukas Jutkiewicz shocked the footballing world with this sensational strike, salvaging a 6-6 draw for @MotherwellFC after being 6-2 down against Hibernian! #TBT
— SPFL (@spfl) August 30, 2018
To re-live the full highlights of this astonishing match, click herehttps://t.co/G4LAYJy7G2 pic.twitter.com/XHSl8X2DHO
John Sutton v Ross County
In September 2014 Sutton produced an absolute Dingwall doozy to sink Staggies.
The ball broke to the big striker on the edge of the box, he took it on his chest and sent a looping volley beyond Antonio Reguero in the County goal.
Iain Vigurs was also on target in the 2-1 victory.
On this Day in 2⃣0⃣1⃣4⃣...
— SPFL (@spfl) September 13, 2019
John Sutton scored this belter against Ross County! #OTD | @MotherwellFC pic.twitter.com/0imAToTIdb
Lionel Ainsworth v Hamilton Accies
Ainsworth was no stranger to a spectacular striker during his days at Fir Park and in March 2015 he lit up a derby day win over 10-man Hamilton Accies with an absolute belter from 30 yards.
Some quick-thinking from the Steelmen at a free-kick worked the ball to the English winger and he rifled the ball into the top corner in a 4-0 victory.
Ainsworth was at the double on the day along with John Sutton.
#OnThisDay in 2⃣0⃣1⃣5⃣... Motherwell put four past local rivals Accies, with Lionel Ainsworth scoring the pick of the bunch.
— SPFL (@spfl) March 20, 2020
Highlights: https://t.co/PHfwtWfmB1#OTD | @MotherwellFC pic.twitter.com/UjdOtDWZiz
Lionel Ainsworth v Kilmarnock
The Englishman wowed the Fir Park faithful with a clever free-kick in a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in May 2017.
He was near the by-line on the left hand side of the box and, raising his arm to signal a set-play move, he duped the Killie defence and curled a peach of a free-kick directly past Jamie McDonald in the Killie goal.
The winger's effort came either side of goals from Carl McHugh and Elliot Frear.
Could quite happily watch this on a loop all day Lionel Ainsworth with a beauty of a free-kick on a great night for @MotherwellFC pic.twitter.com/YskUHcyv8w
— SPFL (@spfl) May 17, 2017
Scott McDonald v Aberdeen
Not as high-profile as his goals against Celtic in 2005 on Helicopter Sunday, but still spectacular, McDonald's quick-thinking here brought an early equaliser against Aberdeen in December 2016.
Richard Tait delivered the ball into the box and McDonald produced a fantastic overhead flick to turn the ball into the net past Joe Lewis.
However, the Dons ran out 3-1 winners on the night.
Scott McDonald returned to @MotherwellFC in 2015. The Aussie star pulled off this ridiculous finish vs Aberdeen in December last year pic.twitter.com/RWHglMjqJp
— SPFL (@spfl) September 7, 2017
Louis Moult v Celtic
The Englishman stunned the Hoops in the third minute of a seven-goal thriller in December 2016 with a sumptuous finish.
He got on the end of Stephen McManus' long ball and his cushioned lob arced over the helpless Craig Gordon to give Motherwell a dream start against the defending Premiership champions.
Moult bagged a second in the 35th minute to put Well 2-0 up, but Celtic eventually came roaring back and a last minute winner from Tom Rogic saw the Steelmen leave empty-handed in a 4-3 defeat.
So good we've got him twice! @MotherwellFC's Louis Moult with a flying lob over @CelticFC's Craig Gordon in last years stormer!#TBT pic.twitter.com/dCR4JwLeBU
— SPFL (@spfl) October 26, 2017
Louis Moult v Rangers
Moult proved to be the king of the lob in Lanarkshire, as he replicated that feat against the other half of the Old Firm 10 months later.
He was at the double again as he sent the Steelmen into the League Cup final in October 2017 with a 2-0 win over Pedro Caixinha's Rangers.
But it was his second strike, an outrageous 20-yard lob over Jak Alnwick, that will always live in the memory.
It had 'Well boss Stephen Robinson dancing in the stands at Hampden and took the club to their first final since 2005.
It's Throwback Thursday, and inspired by Louis Moult's beauty on Sunday for @MotherwellFC, we're looking at our favourite lobs!#TBT pic.twitter.com/2Kz08g6OBW
— SPFL (@spfl) October 26, 2017
David Turnbull v Dundee
A screamer of a strike from David Turnbull in November 2018 brought home all three points in a 1-0 win over Dundee.
Turnbull collected the ball from Gael Bigirimana in the middle of the park and arrowed an unstoppable strike past Jack Hamilton from 30-yards.
It was certainly a strike that caught the eye and likely convinced Celtic to make their move for the talented midfielder.
| David Turnbull was outstanding for @MotherwellFC, putting in a stellar midfield performance and netting the only goal of the Steelmen's win over Dundee!
— SPFL (@spfl) November 6, 2018
He's at central midfield in our #TOTW!
Read it https://t.co/c76avUwWng pic.twitter.com/KQditdxMG6
Jake Hastie v St Mirren
During his first spell at Motherwell, Hastie lashed home a stunning strike to help sink St Mirren in February 2019.
The winger cut inside and rifled a 20-yard drive into the top corner during a 2-1 win over the Buddies.
Allan Campbell grabbed the winner 13 minutes from time to ensure all three points in Paisley.
Hastie's strike also drew praise from Clyde 1 presenter and 'Well fan Gordon Duncan.
What a hit this was from Motherwell’s Jake Hastie tonight pic.twitter.com/lLNefXGYjp
— Gordon Duncan (@gordonduncan7) February 6, 2019
Sherwin Seedorf v Hearts
The Dutchman delighted the Fir Park faithful with a screamer of a strike in September 2019, smashing the ball in off the crossbar after a driving run upfield against Hearts.
The Steelmen ran out 3-2 winners on the day with Seedorf's strike sandwiched between a Declan Gallagher header and a Jermaine Hylton strike
#OnThisDay in 2⃣0⃣1⃣9⃣... the Steelmen won 3-2 at Tynecastle. Sh erwin Seedorf scored a screamer!#SPFL | @MotherwellFC pic.twitter.com/DuKfzKYLjz
— SPFL (@spfl) September 14, 2020
James Scott v St Mirren
In October 2019, Hull-bound James Scott gave the Steelmen supporters a goal to remember in a 2-0 win at home to St Mirren.
Liam Polworth provided the assist as he teed him up on the edge of the box and Scott swept the ball home from 20 yards with a fine curling effort.
It was one of six goals Scott scored in 28 appearances.
Motherwell are just two points off second in the Premiership, and they beat St Mirren in style with James Scott's scoring a goal of the season contender.
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 6, 2019
Match report: https://t.co/ESpt1YbTGV pic.twitter.com/XIC56XeoVt
So, plenty to choose from there and many that haven't made the cut.
There has been some fine strikes in recent years, but you'll be hard pushed to find a better one than Jim Hamilton's. We doff our hat to you, sir.
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