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98 for Cardiff, 3 for Wales and 2 for Greenock Morton.
His opening goal for Cardiff came in the FAW Premier Cup against Merthyr in April 1998. It was his only goal that season. The young striker had just turned 17 earlier in the month. He made his league debut as a sub in March 1998 against Brighton at Ninian Park. The game ended 0 - 0, Earnie was a 79th minute replacement for Wayne O'Sullivan.
It was a shocking season for City. The team finished 21st in the 3rd division and drew a record breaking 23 games.
For those still not happy with where we are now just 5 years later think back that our leading scorer that season was Andy Saville with 14 goals in total and on Nov 11th of that season 2,340 watched City draw 0 - 0 with Scunthorpe. Only 3,509 were in Ninian Park when Earnie made that subs appearance.
The 1998 - 99 season was a much better time for the club. Earnie scored his first league goal with an amazing overhead kick on the opening day at Hartlepool, the game ended 1 - 1 and City went onto get promotion under Frank Burrows. For Earnshaw though he was kept under wraps by Burrows and his first team appearances were few.
In 1999 - 2000 City were relegated. Burrows lost his job at the end of January but just before he did he loaned Earnie to Greenock Morton. The 18 year old was sent to Scotland for a month where the locals loved him. He played 4 games for Morton, scoring twice, the last game played was against Rangers in the Scottish FA Cup. Morton lost 0 - 1 and their fans lost Earnie as he was recalled by Billy Ayre (RIP) who was now in control at Cardiff City amid a difficult time. The Sullivan takeover fiasco was going on and Billy brought Earnie home. He made a few appearances before the end of the season but City went back down to Division 3. April 2000 we were rock bottom again. A failed takeover and a bleak future despite the best efforts of Steve Borley.
Then two things happened. 1 Sam Hammam took control and 2 Earnie found his scoring boots.
Ayre was sacked, Bobby Gound came and went then Alan Cork took charge.
2000 - 2001 Earnie scored 25 goals, He carried his form into 2001 - 2002 and despite injury still managed to get 15 goals for Cardiff. Cork was sacked after a drubbing at Wigan and Lennie took over. City went the rest of the season unbeaten until the play off final 2nd leg but Earnie's scoring earned him a place in the Wales squad and a memorable debut scoring the winner as Wales beat Germany at the Millennium Stadium.
Then last season was a record breaker. 35 goals for Cardiff beating all club records, highest total goalscorer in a season and highest league goal scorer in a season. A goal for Wales too against Bosnia and to top it off promotion as well.
So far this season Earnie has already scored 19 goals for City in only 19 games. He's established himself as an international player and has scored 1 goal for Wales against Serbia. This weekend he's on the goal trail again as Wales face Russia over two legs. Then it's back to the Bluebirds for a trip to Milton Keynes to play the struggling Dons. What chance we will see Earnie gets his 99th and 100th goals for City.
The boy is already a legend. He is now 22 years 6 months. He has delivered in all divisions he has played in and has delivered for his country.
Awesome.
Earnie's record
1997 - 1998 - Cardiff 1 goal
1998 - 1999 - Cardiff 2 goals
1999 - 2000 - Cardiff 1 goal, Greenock Morton 2 goals
2000 - 2001 - Cardiff 25 goals
2001 - 2002 - Cardiff 15 goals, Wales 1 goal
2002 - 2003 - Cardiff 35 goals, Wales 1 goal
2003 - so far - Cardiff 19 goals, Wales 1 goal
to be continued.