With the countdown to the new season getting ever closer we thought it best to wet the appetites of all the regular football betting readers who tune into the Free Bets Blog with a selection of some of the finest football goal celebrations down the years.

Each celebration holds its own tale and in the shadows of the new 08 / 09 premiership betting season we hope it gives some inspiration to the world class talent on display on how best and best not to celebrate a goal.

Dennis Law

Dennis Law was the golden boy for Man Unt but after a few transfers he found himself playing for local rivals Man City and here we capture Dennis scoring for Man City versus Man Unt back in 1974 season which relegated Man Unt to the old Division 2.

Robbie Fowler Sniffs The Whitelines

Amid huge speculation of his off-field drug taking antics and getting constant abuse from the Everton fans, Robbie Fowler thought it would be wise to mimic taking a line of cocaine as his goal celebration. Unfortunately, for Robbie, it wasn’t the wisest thing he has ever done.

African celebrations from Senegal

Someone forgot to tell Senegal they were only bit-part players when opening the 2002 World Cup opening match against current holders France. This has to be one of the most imaginative celebrations I have seen in years.

Backflip Magic

Ok, ok, nowadays, its more like a gymnastic convention when players celebrate scoring a goal – not my cup of tea and if I were manager I’d ban that straight away before your top-rated million pound striker does himself some damage – bit I’m not and just for all you backflip enthusiasts here’s the cream of the crop.

Tardelli

Imagine the joy of scoring in a world cup final knowing that the goal you scored has virtually won the cup for your country and your name will forever go down in the realms of footballing history. Tardelli knew what it meant to score such a goal and here’s the proof.

Cantona Cool

When your a genius on the football pitch how do you celebrate scoring? Well here is how Eric Cantona shows all those budding football stars of the future just how to do it with style.

Maradona Crazed Face

Back in 1994 a certain Maradona was carving out his last days of his football career, mixed with controversy and sublime skill the little Argentinian had one last headline to write – after scoring a great goal against Greece he ran demonized straight to one of the many cameras broadcasting live to the World in the ground – he was asked for a ‘random drug test’ after the match – he failed – wonder what gave the officials the heads-up to ask Maradona in the first place?

Gazza vs Scotland

Say all you want about the tortured Paul Gascoine but back in Euro 96 he was England’s favourite son as he brilliantly nailed a valiant Scotland’s chances of getting something from the match plus got one over the English press who had been printing story after story about the teams drinking games when they were previously in Hong Kong.