Fastest Red Cards in English Football History
Quickest Red Cards in English Football? Which players got the Fastest Red Cards in English Football? Which player have received the quickest red card in English Premier League history? Which players have received the fastest red cards in English Football?
Have you ever thought of finding out which players have been dismissed the quickest in English football either after making bad tackles, abusive language etc.
Well if you have then worry not because as Sillyseason.com have picked out the quickest red cards in English Football history. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
Top 10 Fastest red card in English Football – which was the quickest red card ever in English football history?
Steven Gerrard of Liverpool was dismissed just after 38 seconds for Liverpool against Manchester United, but the question is does his 38 seconds red card make the list of the Top 10 Fastest Red Cards in English Football? Let’s find out below.
Quickest Red Cards in English Footboll/ Soccer History
Which is the fastest red card in football? Previously we have published the fastest ever goals in football history , worst fights to happen in football and the worst injuries to happen in football! If you haven’t seen these before make sure you check them out after this list.
Here are the Fastest Red Cards in English Soccer History. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
10. Alexandre Jankewitz, Manchester United vs Southampton, 2021 – 82 seconds
Making his full Premier League debut, the 19-year-old Southampton midfielder lasted just 82 seconds. Jankewitz launched a reckless, studs-up lunge on Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, leaving clear stud marks on his thigh. Referee Mike Dean showed a straight red card immediately.
9. Tim Flowers, Blackburn Rovers vs Leeds United, 1995 – 72 seconds
The Blackburn goalkeeper holds the record for the fastest red card from the start of a Premier League game for an outfield player. Leeds broke quickly, and Flowers came off his line to challenge Brian Deane, but his tackle was mistimed, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
8. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool vs Manchester United, 2015 – 38 seconds
Starting the list is one of the most recent red cards. Steven Gerrard was sent off just after 38 seconds in Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United in the Premier League.
Gerrard came on as a substitute for Liverpool at half time, but was sent off for a robust challenge on Ander Herrera, after throwing in a clear tackle on Juan Mata.
Gerrard, winning the ball cleanly in Herrera’s challenge to win the ball from Gerrard, the Englishman left a stamp on the Spanish midfielder and was given a straight red just after 38 seconds.
7. Jason Crowe, Arsenal vs Birmingham City, 1997 – 33 seconds
In seventh is Jason Crewe’s red card just after 33 seconds, the unfortunate thing is that he was making his debut for Arsenal in a match against Bermingham in 1997.
This sending off meant that it’s the fastest debut sending off. He was sent off by referee Uriah Rennie for an unusual tackle on Martin O’Connor. What a way to start his career at Arsenal! Watch & Bet Football Live =>
6. Mark Smith, Crewe Alexandra vs Darlington, 1994 – 19 seconds
Mark Smith was dismissed just after 19 seconds into the game meaning that Crewe Alexandra had to play with 10 men for 89 minutes plus added time.
The goalkeeper was dismissed for a professional foul against Darlington in 1995. Mark Smith’s 19 seconds dismissal makes it sixth on the Fastest Red Cards in English Football.
5. Kevin Pressman, Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2000 – 13 seconds
Sent off just after 12 seconds into the game. Kevin Pressman had the worst 13 seconds of his life as he was adjudged of handling the ball outside the 18 yard area and was sent packing just after 13 seconds against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2000.
The goalkeeper barely had a normal touch of the ball and was sent to watch from the dressing rooms. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
4. Keith Gillespie, Sheffield United vs Reading, 2007 – 12 seconds
Closing down on the top four is Keith Gillespie who was sent off for Sheffield United for an elbow on Stephen Hunt during a throw in against Reading in 2007 just after 12 seconds.
Kieth is known for his aggression on the pitch and he only lasted 12 seconds before he was dismissed for a harsh challenge. It is one of the Fastest Red Cards in English Football.
3. Preston Edwards, Ebbsfleet United vs Farnborough, 2011 – 12 seconds
Third of our Fastest Red Cards in English Football is Ebbsfleet United’s goalkeeper who was sent off just after 12 seconds after kick off.
The goalkeeper was sent off for fouling Farnborough striker after his defender fluffed a back pass to him, and in the attempt to get to the ball he was judged of fouling Farnborough striker and was given his matching orders. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
2. David Pratt, Chippenham Town vs Bashley, 2009 – 3 seconds
The second fastest red card in English football came just after three seconds of play between Chippenham and Bashley in 2009.
Well strikers are not fond of making sliding tackles nor getting red cards but David Pratt’s two footed challenge just after kick off was deemed by the referee as dangerous and deservedly of a red card.
David Pratt received his marching orders just 3 seconds into the game making his red card the second fastest in English football. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
1. Lee Todd, Cross Park Farm Celtic vs Taunton East Reach Wanderers, 2000 – 2 seconds
The fastest red card in english football goes to Lee Todd. It’s crazy how the fastest red car was not due to a dangerous foul or something really aggressive, but was due to the fact that Lee Todd swered just after the start of the game with the referee standing next to him.
Lee told said after the referee blew the whistle ” F#ck me, that was loud”. The referee did not hesitate to send the striker to the changing rooms just after 2 seconds into the game making it the fastest red card in English Football.
This is also probably the quickest red card in football history. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
Top 20 fastest red cards in English football
| Rank | Player | Time (Seconds) | Competition | Year | Notes |
| 1 | Keith Gillespie | 0 (as sub) | Premier League | 2007 | Came on for Sheffield United and elbowed Stephen Hunt before the game restarted. Fastest Premier League red card. |
| 2 | Walter Boyd | 0 (as sub) | League Two | 2000 | Sent off for Swansea City immediately after coming on, before play resumed, for an off-the-ball incident. |
| 3 | Lee Todd | 2 | Amateur Sunday League | 2000 | Swore loudly at the referee (“F*** me, that was loud”) right after the opening whistle. Fastest in any English football. |
| 4 | David Pratt | 3 | Southern League (Non-League) | 2009 | Received a straight red for a reckless two-footed tackle immediately after kick-off. |
| 5 | David Wheeler | 10 (as sub) | League One | 2024 | Sent off just 10 seconds after coming on for Wycombe Wanderers for a dangerous challenge. |
| 6 | Florent Hadergjonaj | 10 (as sub) | Premier League | 2019 | Came on for Huddersfield Town and picked up two yellow cards in just 10 seconds of play. |
| 7 | Kevin Pressman | 13 | First Division (now Championship) | 2000 | Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper handled the ball outside his penalty area and was dismissed. |
| 8 | John Marquis | 13 | League One | 2025 | Sent off for elbowing an opponent in the opening seconds of the match. |
| 9 | Mark Smith | 19 | Third Division (now League Two) | 1994 | Crewe Alexandra’s goalkeeper was dismissed for a professional foul on a Darlington striker. |
| 10 | Jason Crowe | 33 | League Cup | 1997 | Sent off on his Arsenal debut for a terrible tackle on Martin O’Connor. |
| 11 | Dave Kitson | 37 (as sub) | Premier League | 2007 | Came on for Reading and was dismissed just 37 seconds later for a reckless foul. |
| 12 | Steven Gerrard | 38 (as sub) | Premier League | 2015 | Came on for Liverpool at half-time and stamped on Manchester United’s Ander Herrera. |
| 13 | Alexandre Jankewitz | 70 (as sub) | Premier League | 2021 | Came on for Southampton and was shown a straight red for a reckless tackle very soon after. |
| 14 | Tim Flowers | 72 | Premier League | 1995 | Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper handled the ball outside his box and was sent off early. |
| 15 | Craig Dawson | 89 | Premier League | 2015 | West Brom defender picked up two quick yellow cards in the opening minutes. |
| 16 | Andreas Johansson | 90 | Premier League | 2006 | Wigan Athletic midfielder was sent off for a dangerous tackle just 1.5 minutes in. |
| 17 | Danny Mills | 90 | Premier League | 1999 | Leeds United defender was dismissed for a professional foul inside the first two minutes. |
| 18 | David Meyler | 115 | Premier League | 2007 | Sunderland midfielder received two yellow cards early in the match. |
| 19 | Juan Foyth | 133 (as sub) | Premier League | 2019 | Came on for Tottenham and received two yellow cards in quick succession. |
| 20 | Kevin Mirallas | 136 (as sub) | Premier League | 2015 | Everton substitute was sent off for a dangerous tackle shortly after coming on. |
See More:
- Most Red Cards In Premier League History
- Player with most red cards in Premier League this season
- Managers to receive yellow and red cards in this season
- Worst Divers in Football
- Longest player bans in English football
Table of Contents
