1908–09 British Home Championship

The 1908–09 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations. England dominated the competition with three wins over their opponents. When placed in the context of their overseas tours to Europe in 1908 and 1909, this made a run of ten victories for the English side led by prolific goalscorer Vivian Woodward. Wales, who were enjoying one of their most successful periods of international football, came second with two victories and Scotland finished third. Ireland finished last with no points and only two goals.

England and Ireland began the tournament with England starting well, scoring four without reply. Wales and Scotland began their competition in March, the Welsh winning a close game in Wrexham 3–2. Scotland's response was a 5–0 thumping of the Irish in a strong display of goalscoring ability. England reaffirmed their position as favourites with a 2–0 win over Wales before Wales too made a final push for the title, becoming the only team in this edition of the tournament to win a match away, beating Ireland 3–2 in Belfast. In the final game, England needed only a draw to win the trophy undisputed. In the event they did better, scoring twice against Scotland without reply to take the trophy.

Table

Team	Pts	Pld	W	L	GF	GA	GD
England	6	3	3	0	8	0	+8
Wales	4	3	2	1	6	6	0
Scotland	2	3	1	2	7	5	+2
Ireland	0	3	0	3	2	12	−10

The points system worked as follows:

2 points for a win
1 point for a draw

Results

13 February 1909

England	4 – 0	Ireland
Vivian Woodward 2 George Hilsdon 2 (1P)

Park Avenue, Bradford

1 March 1909

Wales	3 – 2	Scotland
William Davies 23', 39' Lot Jones 26'		70' Bobby Walker 73' Harold Paul

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham

Attendance: 6,000

Referee: Thomas P. Campbell (England)

15 March 1909

Scotland	5 – 0	Ireland
Jimmy McMenemy 15', 77' Sandy MacFarlane 20' Charlie Thomson 48' Harold Paul 84'

Ibrox Park, Glasgow

Attendance: 24,000

Referee: James Mason (England)

15 March 1909

England	2 – 0	Wales
George Holley Bert Freeman

City Ground, Nottingham

20 March 1909

Ireland	2 – 3	Wales
Bill Lacey Andy Hunter		Lot Jones George Wynn Billy Meredith

Grosvenor Park, Belfast

3 April 1909

England	2 – 0	Scotland
George Wall 3', 10'

The Crystal Palace, London

Attendance: 23,667

Referee: James B. Stark (Scotland)

References

Guy Oliver (1992). The Guinness Record of World Soccer. Guinness. ISBN 0-85112-954-4.

v t e British Home Championship
Football in the United Kingdom: England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
Competitors	England Ireland / Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
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Rous Cup Nations Cup Matches outside the British Home Championship