NRL superstar Herbie Farnworth could become the sixth English player in history to win the prestigious Golden Boot Award after being selected.

This prize, which rewards the most remarkable artists of international rugby league each year, will be announced at the beginning of December: and will be decided by some of the great football players who have reached 50 international caps, including England icon James Graham, Australian legend Darren Lockyer and Petero Civoniceva, who have represented Australia and Fiji on the international stage.

Dolphin center Farnworth, originating from the small village of Blacko in Lancashire, was named on the List of six players preselected for the 2024 Golden Boot following his remarkable performances in England’s 2-0 home win over Samoa this autumn.

Farnworth faces strong competition for the award – with Australian trio Harry Grant, Tom Trbojevic and Isaah Yeo nominated after the Kangaroos’ Pacific Cup victory, as well as Tonga captain Addin Fonua-Blake and New Zealand speedster Keano Kini.

But if Farnworth expected to win this year’s award – with the winner announced in early December – he will become the sixth English player in history to win the gong.

Legendary quartet Ellery Hanley, Garry Schofield, Andy Farrell, Kevin Sinfield and Tommy Makinson enjoy each other’s company in an exclusive club of England players who will be named Golden Boot winners.

The exclusive club of English Golden Boot winners

Ellery Hanley (1988)

Garry Schofield (1990)

Andy Farrell (2004)

Kevin Sinfield (2012)

Tommy Makinson (2018)

QUIZ: Can you name all the men’s Golden Boot winners since 2000?

The Golden Shoe was created in 1985 by the British magazine Open Rugby and it was first awarded to Australian icon Wally Lewis for his performances throughout 1984 – with Garry Jack (1985), Brett Kenny (1986), Hugh McGahan and Peter Sterling (1987), Hanley (1988 ), Mal Meninga (1989) and Schofield. (1990) was also crowned rugby league’s best player for those specific calendar years.

No awards were given between 1990 and 1998 at the time due to organizational difficulties – with League Publications Ltd purchased the rights to the award in 1999 and began awarding the Golden Shoe from that year.

The International Rugby League purchased the rights to the award in 2017 and introduced a women’s category in 2018 – with the wheelchair category arriving a year later.

While the Golden Boot was previously awarded to rugby league players for their performances throughout the calendar year for club and country, the award was changed under the guise of the IRL to be presented only on the international scene during the said calendar year.

READ NEXT: Ranking of each Super League club by number of new signings confirmed for 2025