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 actually 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 fifth time goal difference was used. The trophy was permanently awarded to the Irish FA.

Table

Team	Pts	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Northern Ireland	3	3	1	1	1	3	2	+1
Wales	3	3	1	1	1	3	3	0
England	3	3	1	1	1	2	2	0
Scotland	3	3	1	1	1	3	4	−1

The points system worked as follows:

2 points for a win
1 point for a draw

The teams were then divided on goal difference.

Results

13 December 1983

Northern Ireland	2–0	Scotland
Whiteside 17' McIlroy 56'	Report Page 22

Windsor Park, Belfast

Referee:

Neil Midgley

28 February 1984

Scotland	2–1	Wales
Cooper 37' (pen.) Johnston 78'	Report Page 26	James 47'

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Referee:

Jack Poucher

4 April 1984

England	1–0	Northern Ireland
Woodcock 49'

Wembley Stadium, London

Referee:

Ronald Bridges

2 May 1984

Wales	1–0	England
Hughes 17'

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham

Referee:

David Syme

22 May 1984

Wales	1–1	Northern Ireland
Hughes 51'		Armstrong 73'

Vetch Field, Swansea

Referee:

Brian McGinlay

26 May 1984

Scotland	1–1	England
McGhee 12'	Report Page 15	Woodcock 35'

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Referee:

Paolo Casarin

References

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

External links

Full Results and Line-ups

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