British Home Championship

Last updated

British Home Championship
Trophy British International Championship.svg
The Jubilee Trophy, awarded from 1935 onward.
Founded1884
Abolished1984
Region British Isles
Number of teams4
Last championsUlster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland (1983–84)
Most successful team(s)Flag of England.svg  England (54 titles)
Mural in Belfast celebrating the three outright wins of the British Home Championship by (Northern) Ireland; five shared wins are ignored. Irish Football Association.jpg
Mural in Belfast celebrating the three outright wins of the British Home Championship by (Northern) Ireland; five shared wins are ignored.

The British Home Championship [lower-alpha 1] (historically known as the British International Championship or simply the International Championship) was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams: England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland (the last of whom competed as Northern Ireland starting from the late 1950s). Beginning during the 1883–84 season, it is the oldest international association football tournament in the world and it was contested until the 1983–84 season, when it was abolished after 100 years.

Contents

History

Overview

The first international association football match, between Scotland and England, took place in November 1872. Following that contest, a schedule of international matches between the four home nations gradually developed, the games taking place between January and April of each year. In 1884, for the first time, all six possible matches were played. This schedule (the climax usually being the England v Scotland fixture, the outcome of which was often pivotal in determining the champion) continued without interruption until the First World War.

Development of the international football calendar
YearEngland v ScotlandScotland v WalesEngland v WalesEngland v IrelandWales v IrelandScotland v Ireland
1871
1872November
1873March
1874March
1875March
1876MarchMarch
1877MarchMarch
1878MarchMarch
1879AprilAprilJanuary
1880MarchMarchMarch
1881MarchMarchFebruary
1882MarchMarchMarchFebruaryFebruary
1883MarchMarchFebruaryFebruaryMarch
1884MarchMarchMarchFebruaryFebruaryJanuary
1885MarchMarchMarchFebruaryAprilMarch

Development

Recognition of the international season as constituting a single tournament came slowly. Early reports focused on the rivalries between the two teams in each match, rather than any overall title. [2] Talk of a "championship" began to emerge gradually during the 1890s, [3] [4] with some writers suggesting the use of a league table between the nations, with 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw (as had been in use for the Football League since 1888). [5] [6] By 1908, we find a published list of "International Champions" extending all the way back to 1884. [7]

The championship, although increasingly recognised as such, had no official prize until 1935 (see below), when a trophy for the "British International Championship" was created in honour of the silver jubilee of King George V. [8]

The dates of the fixtures varied, but they tended to bunch towards the end of the season (sometimes the entire competition was held in a few days at the end of the season), except between the World Wars, when some fixtures were played before Christmas. The rise of other international competitions, especially the World Cup and European Championships, meant that the British Home Championship lost much of its prestige as the years went on.

However, the new international tournaments meant that the Championship took on added importance in certain years. The 1949–50 and 1953–54 Championships doubled up as qualifying groups for the 1950 and 1954 World Cups respectively, and the results of the 1966–67 and 1967–68 Championships were used to determine which team would progress to the second qualifying round of Euro 1968.

The British Home Championship was discontinued after the 1983–84 competition. There were a number of reasons for the tournament's demise, including it being overshadowed by the World Cup and European Championships, falling attendances at all but the England v Scotland games, fixture congestion, the rise of hooliganism, the Troubles in Northern Ireland (civil unrest led to the 1980–81 competition being abandoned), and England's desire to play against 'stronger' teams. The fate of the competition was settled when the (English) Football Association, swiftly followed by the Scottish Football Association, announced in 1983 that they would not be entering after the 1983–84 Championship. The British Home Championship trophy remains the property of the Irish FA, as Northern Ireland were the most recent champions.

The Championship was replaced by the smaller Rous Cup, which involved just England, Scotland and, in later years, an invited guest team from South America. That competition, however, ended after just five years.

Since then, there have been many proposals to resurrect the British Home Championship, with advocates pointing to rising attendances and a significant downturn in football-related violence. The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football associations are keen on the idea, but the English association are less enthusiastic, claiming that they agree in principle, but that fixture congestion makes a revived tournament impractical.

Therefore, the Scottish Football Association, the Football Association of Wales and the Irish Football Association, with the Republic of Ireland's Football Association of Ireland, pressed ahead and organised a tournament similar to the British Home Championship. The Nations Cup, between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, was launched in Dublin in 2011. It was discontinued after one tournament because of poor attendance. [9]

Format and rules

Early example of a printed league table showing the final positions of the teams (Dundee Courier, 1895-96) Results of Previous Matches (Dundee Courier) 1896-04-06.png
Early example of a printed league table showing the final positions of the teams (Dundee Courier, 1895–96)

Each team played every other team once (making for a total of three matches per team and six matches in total). Generally, each team played either one or two matches at home and the remainder away, with home advantage between two teams alternating each year (so if England played Scotland at home one year, they played them away the next).

A team received two points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. The team with the most points was declared the winner. If two or more teams were equal on points, that position in the league table was shared (as was the Championship if it occurred between the top teams). In 1956, uniquely, all teams finished with the same number of points, leading to the Championship being shared between all four home nations. From the 1978–79 Championship onwards, however, goal difference (total goals scored minus total goals conceded) was used to differentiate between teams level on points. If goal difference was equal, then total goals scored was used.

Trophy

Early editions of the tournament had no trophy. In 1935, a trophy was presented to King George V by the Football Association in recognition of the monarch's silver jubilee. [8] It was first awarded, as the "Jubilee Trophy", to Scotland, victors of the 1935–36 competition. [10] The trophy was of solid silver, consisting of a pedestal supporting a football surmounted by a winged figure. It bore the words "British International Championship". [8]

As winners of the final tournament, Northern Ireland retained the trophy, but for many years had no suitable venue in which to display it. It was exhibited in the Scottish Football Museum [11] and then the National Football Museum in Manchester. [12] In 2018 it was finally put in display at the Northern Ireland Education and Heritage Centre at the National Stadium. [13]

Notable moments

1902: Tragedy at Ibrox

The Scotland v England match of 5 April 1902 became known as the Ibrox Disaster of 1902. The match took place at Ibrox Park (now Ibrox Stadium) in Glasgow. During the first half, a section of the terracing in the overcrowded West Stand collapsed, killing 25 and injuring over 500. Play was stopped, but was restarted after 20 minutes, with most of the crowd not knowing what had happened. The match was later declared void and replayed at Villa Park, Birmingham.

1950–54: World Cup qualification

The 1949–50 British Home Championship was used as a qualification group for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, with the teams finishing both first and second qualifying. England and Scotland were guaranteed the top two places and World Cup qualification with one match to go, when the Scottish Football Association declared that it would only go to the 1950 World Cup if they were the British champions. Scotland played England at Hampden Park on 15 April in the final game and lost 1–0 to a goal by Chelsea's Roy Bentley. Scotland finished second and withdrew from what would have been their first-ever World Cup appearance.

The 1953–54 British Home Championship was used as a qualification group for the 1954 FIFA World Cup, with England and Scotland both qualifying.

1967: Scotland become ‘World Champions’

The 1966–67 British Home Championship was the first since England's victory at the World Cup 1966. Naturally, England were favourites for the Championship title. In the end, the outcome of the entire Championship rested on the final game: England v Scotland at Wembley Stadium in London on 15 April. If England won or drew, they would win the Championship; if Scotland won, they would triumph. Scotland beat the World Cup winners 3–2. The match was followed by a large, but relatively harmless, pitch invasion by the jubilant Scottish fans, who were quick to waggishly declare Scotland the 'World Champions', as the game was England's first defeat since winning the World Cup. The Scots' joke ultimately led to the conception of the Unofficial Football World Championships.

1966–68: European Football Championship qualification

One of the qualifying groups for the 1968 UEFA European Football Championship was formed by combining the results of the 1966–67 and 1967–68 editions of the British Home Championship. The group winners were England, who advanced to the UEFA Euro 1968 quarter-finals where they defeated Spain to qualify for the final tournament, hosted by Italy. [14]

1977: Wembley pitch invasion

Again, the 1976–77 Championship came down to the final game between England and Scotland at Wembley on 4 June. Scotland won the game 2–1, making them champions. As in 1967, a pitch invasion by the overjoyed Scottish fans followed, but this time vandalism ensued: the pitch was ripped up and taken back to Scotland in small pieces, [15] along with one of the broken crossbars. [16]

1981: The unfinished Championship

The Troubles in Northern Ireland had affected the British Home Championship before, with things turning so hostile that Northern Ireland often had to play their 'home' games in Liverpool or Glasgow. The entire 1980–81 Championship was held in May 1981, which coincided with a large amount of civil unrest in Northern Ireland surrounding the hunger strike in the Maze Prison. Northern Ireland's two home matches, against England and Wales, were not moved, so both teams refused to travel to Belfast to play. As not all the matches were completed, that year's competition was declared void with no winner; only Scotland completed all their matches. It was the only time in the Championship's history, apart from during World War I and World War II, that it was not awarded.

1984: The final Championship

The Home Championships came to an end, with England and Scotland announcing that the 1983–84 British Home Championship would be their last. They cited waning interest in the games, crowded international fixture lists and a sharp rise in hooliganism for their decision. The final match of the Championship was held at Hampden Park between Scotland and England in which the winners of the game would win the final Championship. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, allowing Northern Ireland to win the Championship on goal difference after all the teams ended on three points each; Wales came second on goals scored.

List of winners

Where teams finished in a joint position, the level teams are listed in order of better goal difference.
YearChampionsSecondThirdFourthTopscorerGoals
1883–84 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg Harry Cursham 3
1884–85 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (2)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Joseph Lindsay 4
1885–86 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (3) — Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 4
1886–87 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (4)Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Tinsley Lindley 6
1887–88 Flag of England.svg  England (2)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Jack Doughty 6
1888–89 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (5)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 3
1889–90 Flag of England.svg  England (3) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (6)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Willie Paul 4
1890–91 Flag of England.svg  England (4)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Olphert Stanfield 4
1891–92 Flag of England.svg  England (5)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 2
1892–93 Flag of England.svg  England (6)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Fred Spiksley 6
1893–94 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (7)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg John Veitch 3
1894–95 Flag of England.svg  England (7)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 2
1895–96 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (8)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg Steve Bloomer (2)6
1896–97 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (9)Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Steve Bloomer (3)4
1897–98 Flag of England.svg  England (8)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 3
1898–99 Flag of England.svg  England (9)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg Bob McColl 6
1899–1900 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (10)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Bob McColl (2)6
1900–01 Flag of England.svg  England (10)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 5
1901–02 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (11)Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 3
1902–03 Flag of England.svg  England (11) — Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (12)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Vivian Woodward 4
1903–04 Flag of England.svg  England (12)Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 2
1904–05 Flag of England.svg  England (13)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Charles Thomson 3
1905–06 Flag of England.svg  England (14) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (13)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 3
1906–07 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Lot Jones 2
1907–08 Flag of England.svg  England (15) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (14)Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 4
1908–09 Flag of England.svg  England (16)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 2
1909–10 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (15)Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 2
1910–11 Flag of England.svg  England (17)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Grenville Morris (2)3
1911–12 Flag of England.svg  England (18) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (16)Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 3
1912–13 Flag of England.svg  England (19)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Grenville Morris (3)3
1913–14 Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland (2)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Billy Gillespie 3
1914–19Not held due to the First World War.
1919–20 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (2)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 3
1920–21 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (17)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Andrew Wilson 4
1921–22 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (18)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 3
1922–23 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (19)Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Harry Chambers 3
1923–24 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (3)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Willie Davies 2
1924–25 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (20)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Hughie Gallacher 5
1925–26 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (21)Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Scotland.svg Hughie Gallacher (2)3
1926–27 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (22) — Flag of England.svg  England (20)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg Dixie Dean 4
1927–28 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (4)Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of England.svg  England Flag of England.svg Alex Jackson 3
1928–29 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (23)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Hughie Gallacher (3)7
1929–30 Flag of England.svg  England (21)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Joe Bambrick 6
1930–31 Flag of England.svg  England (22) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (24)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg Jimmy Hampson 3
1931–32 Flag of England.svg  England (23)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Tom Waring 3
1932–33 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (5)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 3
1933–34 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (6)Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Various
2
1934–35 Flag of England.svg  England (24) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (25)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Dally Duncan 3
1935–36 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (26)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland 2
1936–37 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (7)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of England.svg  England Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Pat Glover 4
1937–38 Flag of England.svg  England (25)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg George Mills 3
1938–39 Flag of England.svg  England (26) — Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (8) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (27)Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg Willie Hall 5
1939–45Not held due to the Second World War.
0 1945–46 [lower-alpha 2] Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales 2
1946–47 Flag of England.svg  England (27)Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Wilf Mannion 5
1947–48 Flag of England.svg  England (28)Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2
1948–49 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (28)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg Stan Mortensen (2)3
1949–50 Flag of England.svg  England (29)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg Jack Rowley 4
1950–51 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (29)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Billy Steel 4
1951–52 Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales (9) — Flag of England.svg  England (30)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Ireland 2
1952–53 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (30) — Flag of England.svg  England (31)Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Ireland 3
1953–54 Flag of England.svg  England (32)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales 3
1954–55 Flag of England.svg  England (33)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg John Charles (2)5
1955–56 Flag of England.svg  England (34) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (31) — Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales (10) — Ulster Banner.svg  Ireland (3)2
1956–57 Flag of England.svg  England (35)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 1
1957–58 Flag of England.svg  England (36) — Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland (4)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Derek Kevan 2
1958–59 Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland (5) — Flag of England.svg  England (37)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Bobby Charlton 3
1959–60 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (32) — Flag of England.svg  England (38) — Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales (11)Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 2
1960–61 Flag of England.svg  England (39)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of England.svg Jimmy Greaves 7
1961–62 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (33)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Alex Scott 3
1962–63 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (34)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Denis Law 5
1963–64 Flag of England.svg  England (40) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (35) — Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland (6)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Jimmy Greaves (2)5
1964–65 Flag of England.svg  England (41)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of England.svg Jimmy Greaves (3)4
1965–66 Flag of England.svg  England (42)Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales 2
1966–67 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (36)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 2
1967–68 Flag of England.svg  England (43)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 2
1968–69 Flag of England.svg  England (44)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales 3
1969–70 Flag of England.svg  England (45) — Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales (12) — Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (37)Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 1
1970–71 Flag of England.svg  England (46)Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of England.svg Martin Chivers 2
1971–72 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (38) — Flag of England.svg  England (47)Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg Peter Lorimer 2
1972–73 Flag of England.svg  England (48)Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg Martin Chivers (2)3
1973–74 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (39) — Flag of England.svg  England (49)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 1
1974–75 Flag of England.svg  England (50)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg David Johnson 3
1975–76 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (40)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of England.svg Mick Channon 3
1976–77 Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland (41)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Kenny Dalglish 3
1977–78 Flag of England.svg  England (51)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg Derek Johnstone 2
1978–79 Flag of England.svg  England (52)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Wales (1959).svg John Toshack 3
1979–80 Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland (7)Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg Noel Brotherston 2
1980–81 Abandoned due to civil unrest in Northern Ireland.
1981–82 Flag of England.svg  England (53)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 1
1982–83 Flag of England.svg  England (54)Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales 1
1983–84 Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland (8)Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Wales (1959).svg Mark Hughes 2

Total wins

TeamWins
total
Wins
outright
Shared
wins
Flag of England.svg  England 543420
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 412417
Flag of Wales (1959).svg  Wales 1275
Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg  Ireland [lower-alpha 3] 835

Medals

Exclude 1945–46 British Victory Home Championship and 1980–81 British Home Championship.

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of England.svg  England 5422682
2Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 41251581
3Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 12153360
4Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 873146
Totals (4 entries)1156985269

89 editions But have many Shared Medals.

Summary

Exclude 1945–46 British Victory Home Championship but Include 1980–81 British Home Championship.

RankTeamPartPldWDLGFGADifPts
1Flag of England.svg  England 892661615649661282+379378
2Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 892671415769574342+232339
3Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 892667062134360545-185202
4Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 892654849168284710-426145

Players record

All-time top goalscorers

RankNameTeamGoals
1 Flag of England.svg Steve Bloomer England 22
2 Flag of Scotland.svg Hughie Gallacher Scotland 21
3 Flag of England.svg Jimmy Greaves England 16
4 Flag of Scotland.svg Robert Hamilton Scotland 15
5 Flag of England.svg Vivian Woodward England 14
6 Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg John Charles Wales 13
Flag of Scotland.svg Andrew Wilson Scotland 13
8 Flag of England.svg John Goodall England 12
9 Flag of England.svg Martin Peters England 10
10 Flag of England.svg Stan Mortensen England 9
Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Billy Meredith Wales 9
Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Grenville Morris Wales 9
Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Dai Astley Wales 9
14 Flag of England.svg Nat Lofthouse England 8
14 Flag of England.svg Geoff Hurst England 8

Topscorer wins

RankNameTeamWins
1 Flag of England.svg Steve Bloomer England 5
2 Flag of England.svg Vivian Woodward England 3
Flag of Scotland.svg Hughie Gallacher Scotland
Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Grenville Morris Wales
Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg Dai Astley Wales
Flag of England.svg Jimmy Greaves England
Flag of England.svg John Goodall England
Flag of England.svg Nat Lofthouse England
9 Flag of England.svg Geoff Hurst England 2
Flag of Scotland.svg Dally Duncan Scotland
Flag of Scotland.svg Bobby Johnstone Scotland
Flag of Scotland.svg Bob McColl Scotland
Flag of Scotland.svg Robert Hamilton Scotland
Flag of England.svg Martin Chivers England
Flag of England.svg Stan Mortensen England
Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg John Charles Wales
Flag of England.svg Bobby Charlton England

Managers record

Championship wins

RankManagerWinsEditions
1 Flag of England.svg Walter Winterbottom 7 1946–47, 1947–48, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1956–57, 1960–61
2 Flag of England.svg Alf Ramsey 6 1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1968-69, 1970–71, 1972–73
3 Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Peter Doherty 3 1955–56, 1957–58, 1958–59
Flag of England.svg Ron Greenwood 3 1977–78, 1978–79, 1981–82
5 Flag of Scotland.svg Ian McColl 2 1961–62, 1962–63
Ulster Banner.svg Billy Bingham 2 1979–80, 1983–84

See also

Notes

  1. Name of the Home Championship in the languages of participating countries:
    • Home International Championship, Home Internationals, British Championship
    • Irish: An Comórtas Idirnáisiúnta
    • Scots: Hame Internaitional Kemp
    • Scottish Gaelic: Farpais lìg eadar-nàiseanta
    • Welsh: Pencampwriaeth y Pedair Gwlad [1]
  2. Unofficial edition, part of the Victory Internationals.
  3. Competed as Northern Ireland from 1956–57 to 1983–84.

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References

  1. Cymru yn fyw ar S4C. www.sgorio.cymru. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  2. For example:
    • "Scotland v England". Leeds Mercury: 3. 7 April 1890. describes the decisive 1890 Scotland v England match only as the "last international match of the season".
    • "Friendly Matches: England v. Scotland". Lichfield Mercury: 3. 10 April 1891. describes the decisive 1891 England v Scotland match as a "friendly".
    • Ingram, Thomas Allan; Hall, Hammond; Palmer, William; Price, E. D. (1892). "Hazell's Annual for 1892". Hazell Annual and Almanack. London: Hazell, Watson & Viney: 276. hdl:2027/umn.31951002481791v. Altogether England had an exceptionally successful season, winning all three matches, but especial care was taken that no chance of turning the tables on Scotland should be lost
  3. "Scotland v. England". Sheffield and Rotherham Independent: 7. 4 April 1892. [O]n the result of the match in question the championship depended
  4. "Nottingham and General". Nottingham Evening Post: 2. 7 April 1894. England and Scotland will meet on Saturday to play for the international championship
  5. "Football". The Sketch: 44. 3 April 1895.
  6. "Results of Previous Matches". Dundee Courier: 6. 6 April 1896.
  7. Sport and Athletics in 1908. London: Chapman and Hall. 1908. p. 241. hdl:2027/uiug.30112088954117.
  8. 1 2 3 "British Home Championship Trophy, 1935" . Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  9. 4 Associations Tournament Announced for Dublin 2011 Football Association of Ireland, 18 September 2008
  10. "Jubilee Trophy for Scotland". Western Daily Press: 4. 6 April 1936.
  11. "Football: It's coming home". Belfast Telegraph. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  12. "Emotional farewell as IFA setting sail for new pastures". Belfast Telegraph. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  13. "Join an Education and Heritage Centre tour to see historic trophy". Irish FA. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  14. "Season 1968 Groups | UEFA EURO 1968". Archived from the original on 21 August 2014.
  15. Herbert, Ian (9 November 2016). "England vs Scotland: Lou Macari reflects on the iconic 1977 Wembley win the Scots expected to lose". The Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  16. "Wembley '77: when the Tartan Army descended on London and left with not just a famous win, but the goalposts too". BBC Scotland. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2020.