1983–84 British Home Championship

The 1983–84 British Home Championship was the 100th anniversary of the British Home Championship and the final football tournament between the Home Nations to be held, with both England and Scotland announcing their withdrawal from future competition, citing waning interest in the games, crowded international fixture lists and a sharp rise in hooliganism. Although the football competition was instituted in 1884, it was only the eighty-seventh tournament to be completed due to a five-year hiatus during World War I, a seven-year gap in World War II and the cancellation of the 1981 competition following threats of violence during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The tournament was surprising in its outcome, as the favourites in England and Scotland played each other into a 1–1 draw in the final game, thus allowing Northern Ireland to claim victory on goal difference, with Wales second. This was only the third time in 87 tournaments that (Northern) Ireland were undisputed champions, and the only time goal difference was used to determine a champion. It also marked the first time since 1928 that neither Scotland nor England placed in the top two. The trophy was permanently awarded to the Irish FA.[1]

Table

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Northern Ireland (C) 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 3
 Wales 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 3
 England 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 3
 Scotland 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 3
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points 2) goal difference. The points system worked as follows: 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
(C) Champions

Results

Northern Ireland 2–0 Scotland
Whiteside 17'
McIlroy 56'
Report Page 22
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Neil Midgley (England)

Scotland 2–1 Wales
Cooper 37' (pen.)
Johnston 78'
Report Page 26 James 47'
Attendance: 21,542
Referee: Jack Poucher (Northern Ireland)

England 1–0 Northern Ireland
Woodcock 49' Report
Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: Ronald Bridges (Wales)

Wales 1–0 England
Hughes 17' Report
Attendance: 14,250
Referee: David Syme (Scotland)

Wales 1–1 Northern Ireland
Hughes 51' Armstrong 73'
Attendance: 7,845
Referee: Brian McGinlay (Scotland)

Scotland 1–1 England
McGhee 12' Report Page 15 Woodcock 35'
Attendance: 73,064
Referee: Paolo Casarin (Italy)

References

  1. ^ "When Northern Ireland won the last ever British Home Championship". Guardian. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  • Guy Oliver (1992). The Guinness Record of World Soccer. Guinness. ISBN 0-85112-954-4.

External links

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