The eight most prolific divers in England's top divisions revealed
The eight most prolific divers in England's top divisions revealed (Image: Getty Images)
Relegated League One side Bristol Rovers have topped one table this season – being crowned the most prolific divers in England's top divisions.
The West Country team recorded eight yellow cards for simulation, the most of any team over the course of the past three seasons.
Advertisement
Premier League giant Chelsea followed with seven bookings for taking a tumble – the same number as Burton Albion.
Manchester City, Newcastle United, Crawley Town, Accrington Stanley and Barrow have been reprimanded six times each after being caught trying to con the ref.
(Image: SWNS)
Football statistician Statman Dave ran the numbers as part of Snickers' wider Off Your Game campaign, with the Deep Diving Audit offering a data-led look at diving across English football.
Dave O'Brien, who pored over match footage, referee reports and extensive game insights to reveal all the most dramatic diving data, said: 'Diving has always been a part of the game, but when you look at the numbers, like I've done for Snickers' Deep Diving Audit, it's clear that some clubs and players really know how to keep things interesting.
Advertisement
'Whether it's tactical, instinctive, or maybe even hunger-related, one thing is for sure, when players are off their game, it shows.
'And sometimes, it's not just the ball that goes rolling.'
Nearly all cases of diving occurred in the second half, with a particular uptick during the 90th minute – and 70 per cent of dives took place in the penalty area.
With Brighton & Hove Albion being named as the club players have dived against most in the Premier League.
Strikers are responsible for 26 per cent of all dives over the last three seasons, whereas in defence, only one centre-back was carded for a diving offence.
Advertisement
Looking at the 2024/25 campaign specifically, 75 per cent of dives occurred when the players' team wasn't winning, with the average dive last season lasting nine seconds.
Additionally, the average diving age is 22, they most typically wear white boots – and are also English, with these players making up 42 per cent of dives in the season just gone.
Diving in the men's game is significantly more prominent compared to the women's – with just one diving booking found on record from the last three seasons in the Women's Super League.
Snickers has enlisted football experts Statman Dave and Nada Allali to create a video which uncovers the most over-the-top tumbles across the England's top leagues.
Advertisement
Delia Lendais-Metral from the chocolate brand said: 'Let's face it, when you're hungry, you're not quite yourself.
'The Snickers Deep Diving Audit taps into those moments when things go slightly off, on or off the pitch.'
'Whether it's a mis-timed slide or a full-blown flop, this is a fun reminder that staying fuelled helps keep you on your game.'
Most dive-prone clubs of the past three seasons (22/23, 23/24, 24/25)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Finn Russell and Bath face day of destiny in throwback Premiership final
There is an old school feel to this weekend's Premiership final, a famous fixture of yesteryear stirring the nostalgic senses. Bucket hats once more decorate the domes of the nation's youth, wide-leg jeans have usurped their skinny-fit siblings and the established powers of the 1990s are back in fashion in English rugby, too. Between the inception of the Courage League in 1987 and the introduction of this showpiece affair in 2003, Bath and Leicester Tigers won 12 of the 15 top-flight titles on offer; six trophy tilts apiece in an extended duopoly over the game. While Tigers have roared repeatedly since, Bath have had to be patient. The last of that run of six titles in eight years is their most recent overall; 29 years coming and going with just three final defeats mustered, foggy memories of silverware long since losing their lustre. A restoration is overdue. Advertisement There has been a sense of destiny surrounding this season at Bath. The intent was set by their star fly half in the immediacy of the final defeat to Northampton. 'We'll just have to do it next year, now,' Finn Russell remarked to head coach Johann van Graan on the Twickenham touchline in an aside caught by the TNT Sports microphones and made moments after Saints' victory had been secured. In truth, Bath had come closer than they should have done on the day both in the wider context of a campaign in which they had lagged behind their opponents and given Beno Obano's early sending off. Bath were beaten by Northampton in last year's final (Getty) This year has been different. The head coach is highly process-driven, never getting too high or too low, but he and his squad have embraced their place as front-runners, making a statement on the opening night by powering past the defending champions and seldom looking back. Minor prizes have already arrived in cups domestic and continental but this is the trophy they truly desire. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone," said Russell this week as he chases an elusive second title of his career. 'After getting to that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. Advertisement "But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. "At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year." Johann van Graan has coached Bath into back-to-back Premiership finals (PA) Van Graan arrived with the club at rock bottom, relegation avoided in 2022 only due to a moratorium during the pandemic. The South African has been a transformative figure, immediately establishing himself through the force of a somewhat quiet, but authoritative, personality. He has been aided in his task by significant investment, of course: Thomas du Toit joins Russell as a high-ticket item but the period of turmoil in which Ted Hill, Alfie Barbeary and Ollie Lawrence were taken from Wasps and Worcester was highly significant. The capture of Guy Pepper, similarly, has proved shrewd. Alongside the unearthing of gems like Ciaran Donoghue and Will Butt, it has given the squad a depth that most of their rivals simply cannot match. Advertisement While Bath will be fuelled by a sense that this is their time, Leicester have extra motivation of their own. Saturday afternoon will be a last outing in the green, red and white for Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, stalwarts and servants of the club for the best part of two decades. That both will retire as one-club men feels fitting; regular listeners will hope the pair's podcast enjoys the same sort of longevity. Leicester Tigers duo Dan Cole (left) and Ben Youngs will retire after the final (PA) Where their opponents' build to this final has been meticulous, the Tigers have come together on the hoof. In retrospect, the hiring of Michael Cheika was not the right solution for a club in need of firm foundations but the Australian deserves immense credit for his architecture nonetheless. In his sole season, Cheika has brought back Leicester's snarl, no-nonsense on and off the pitch yet encouraging the more expressive members of the squad to strut their stuff. Julian Montoya, his old Argentina captain, has been key and will be much missed by the Premiership when he departs for Pau after this game. Completing the list of leavers of note is double World Cup-winner Handre Pollard, a figure fit for a day like this. A horror show from the tee in the semi-final is unlikely to be repeated with the pressure on; as one figure connected with Leicester remarked this week, the South African fly half may not be the ideal player to get you to a final but he will most certainly win you one. The ever-improving Emeka Ilione – a likely tourist to Argentina with England – could also have a key role to play in defusing Bath's own bench bomb squad. Double World Cup-winner Handre Pollard has the big game nous that could be key for Leicester (Getty) In the maelstrom and madness of any final, cool heads and calm decisions are required by both players and officials. Bath overcame the odds to stay in the fight after Obano's early dismissal last year yet a capacity crowd will fear something similar to dramatically change the contest. Van Graan's men would be a sixth different champion in as many years, underscoring the competitive balance that Premiership insiders have sought to underline as they prepare to unveil a fresh identity on their day in the rugby spotlight. A new era for the league approaches but this throwback final should provide plenty of old-school charm.
New York Times
23 minutes ago
- New York Times
Manchester City reduce Premier League ticket prices for 2025-26 after fan protests
Manchester City have announced a reduction in their Premier League ticket pricing bands for the 2025-26 season. Ticket prices had led to supporter protests at City in recent months and prompted their April decision to freeze prices for the upcoming campaign. Earlier that month, many of the club's supporters boycotted the opening of their Premier League fixture against Leicester City. Advertisement Fans gathered outside the Etihad ahead of the match with the banner 'MCFC — For the love not the money', while hundreds did not enter the stadium for the first nine minutes of the match, causing them to miss Jack Grealish's opening goal after one minute and 49 seconds in the fixture. City say they have taken the decision to reduce price bands for 2025-26 following consultation with fan network City Matters. Matchday prices for lower category games will, depending on seat selection, vary between £30 and £50 while the highest category matches will be between £40 and £60. In a statement, City say that by way of comparison, their derby against Manchester United will see lowest-priced tickets reduced by 43 per cent from 2024-25, while higher priced tickets are down 22 per cent. City Matters said they 'warmly welcome' the news, which they believe will make the side's games more 'accessible' for fans. 'Through our dialogue with the club, the matchday pricing reductions, season ticket price freeze, release of new season tickets, and flexi gold season ticket fee adjustments highlight the value of fan voices through City Matters,' the fan group said. 'This announcement shows the club's commitment to City Matters and is a positive end to this season and our working relationship.' The group added they were looking forward to 'continued engagement and transparency with the club' in future seasons. ()
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
David Moyes 'eyes' Rangers transfer raid as 3 exits on cards with 49ers clearing space for mega summer overhaul
Mohamed Diomande is reportedly a summer transfer target for Everton, with the Premier League club in desperate need of reinforcements in midfield. Despite Rangers' struggles last season, the Ivorian enjoyed a decent campaign, scoring six goals and registering nine goals in all competitions. Advertisement The 23-year-old initially joined Gers on a loan deal from FC Nordsjælland in January 2024, with the transfer being made permanent for around £4million in the following summer. READ MORE: Dundee Utd owner predicts Rangers takeover will change the SPFL game and fix a 'touchy subject' for good READ MORE: Dave King makes one thing about new Rangers owners crystal clear as he has word of 'caution' for expectant fans But the Daily Express claim that Diomande is one of several players being eyed up by Toffees boss David Moyes. With veteran Abdoulaye Doucoure leaving the club on a dree transfer and loanee Orel Mangala heading back to Lyon at the end of his season-long loan, the Merseyside club are keen to bolster their options in the middle third of the pitch. Advertisement They also add that Diomande's versality also makes him appeal to Everton as a potential target, with the Ivory Coast international able to play as both a holding midfielder or in a more advanced role. Diomande will be very familiar to Rangers new sporting director Kevin Thelwell and technical director Dan Purdy, who have both made the move to Ibrox from Bramley Moor Dock as part of the new-look boardroom team assembled by 49ers Enterprises. And the Rangers number 10 isn't the only player who has been linked with a move away from the club in recent days. Centre back Robin Propper endured a tough debut season in Govan and reports in the Netherlands claim that he could be set for a return to FC Twente. Advertisement The 31-year-old was signed by Philippe Clement last summer to add some much-needed experience to the Light Blues back line but a combination of poor form and injuries meant that the Dutchman wasn't quite able to make the impact he would have hoped for. 49ers Enterprises takeover at Ibrox should give the new Rangers manager - which should be confirmed next week - more money to play with in the transfer market, but moving players on to balance the books will also be required. And claim that Twente - who Propper previously made 115 appearances for between 2021 and 2024, could be on his way back to the Netherlands. Turkey international Ridvan Yilmaz is another man who has an uncertain future in Glasgow. The 24-year-old made just 24 appearances in all competitions last season, with an injury picked up in the Europa League quarter-final defeat to Athletic Bilbao in April ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign. The left back has long been linked with a return to his homeland in recent months and Turkish outlet Aspor insist that a deal has been thrashed out to take him back to Besiktas, two years after he swapped them for Gers.
