1898–99 British Home Championship
The 1898–99 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations. A very high scoring affair, the competition featured the highest scoreline ever achieved in the Home Championships when England defeated Ireland 13–2 in Sunderland, including a hat-trick in four minutes from Gilbert Smith.[1] It was the first of two particularly heavy defeats for the Irish side, who nevertheless still managed to finish third, courtesy of a victory over Wales.
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Host country | England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales |
Dates | 18 February – 8 April 1899 |
Teams | 4 |
Final positions | |
Champions | England (7th title) |
Runners-up | Scotland |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 6 |
Goals scored | 23 (3.83 per match) |
Top scorer(s) | Bob McColl (6 goals) |
England's win over the Ireland was the start of the tournament and placed them immediately on top of the table, a position Ireland joined them in with their 1–0 victory over Wales in the second game. Scotland began their bid for the title in the third match with a strong 6–0 win over Wales in Wrexham. Wales' poor competition was finished in their next game when England again took top position by beating them 4–0. In the penultimate game, Scotland joined England at the top of the table with a 9–1 demolition of Ireland, who had conceded 21 goals in two games but still finished third. In the deciding match, England and Scotland both played a strong game but England eventually proved stronger, winning 2–1.
Table
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
England (C) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 3 | +16 | 6 |
Scotland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 3 | +13 | 4 |
Ireland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 22 | −18 | 2 |
Wales | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | −11 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) points. The points system worked as follows: 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
(C) Champion.
Results
England | 13–2 | Ireland |
---|---|---|
39', 59', 60', 63' Gilbert Smith 53', 55', 80' Jimmy Settle 40', 89' Steve Bloomer 20', 52' Fred Forman 15' Frank Forman 25' Charlie Athersmith |
(Match summary) | 65' (pen.) Joe McAllen 88' James Campbell |
Ireland | 1 – 0 | Wales |
---|---|---|
60' Philip Meldon |
Wales | 0 – 6 | Scotland |
---|---|---|
22', 55' John Campbell 50', 75', 85' Bob McColl 70' Henry Marshall |
England | 4 – 0 | Wales |
---|---|---|
44', 86' Steve Bloomer 60' Fred Forman 30' Ernest Needham |
Scotland | 9–1 | Ireland |
---|---|---|
Bob McColl 5', 25', 47' Alexander Christie 10' RC Hamilton 20', 65' Jack Bell 35' John Campbell 70', 80' |
54' Archie Goodall |
England | 2 – 1 | Scotland |
---|---|---|
Gilbert Smith 25' Jimmy Settle 40' |
52' RC Hamilton |
References
- Guy Oliver (1992). The Guinness Record of World Soccer. Guinness. ISBN 0-85112-954-4.
- "England v Ireland". EU Football.Info.