The British Home Championship-Part Two

The 1983 British Home Championship

In 1983, the British Home Championship was entering in its penultimate season.

As stated in the previous entry on this topic, there was pressure from the authorities to disband this nearly century old competition due to security concerns.

England and Scotland were more receptive to this idea.

The first match of the 1983 Home Championship was played on February 23^rd, 1983, England hosted Wales at Wembley.

This was the first season of Bobby Robson in charge of England.

On the day of the match, Manchester United and Arsenal matchup was scheduled for the League Cup.

As a result, many eligible England players could not be called up, which included Captain Bryan Robson, as well as Ray Wilkins, Steve Coppell, Kenny Sansom, Tony Woodcock and Graham Rix.

The withdrawals allowed Robson to give first caps to Derek Statham and Gordon Cowans.

At the time, the attendance of 24,000 was Wembley’s lowest ever attendance, the cold weather may have contributed to that and even the ground was frozen.

England had not defeated Wales in 10 years.

Wales were near full strength and went ahead in the 14^th minute against the run of the play.

Kevin Ratcliffe crossed into the box,  Robbie James flicked it up , Davies got a touch and Ian Rush pounced on the loose ball.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Wales v Northern Ireland , 1984

(Ian Rush scoring, February 23, 1983, Home Championship, England 2-Wales 1)

England levelled the score in the 39th minute. Luther Blisset went into the box, and after an entanglement, Alan Devonshirec took possession and crossed for Butcher, who was unmarked on the right side, to score his first ever International goal.

The second half was uneventful and England scored their winner in the 78^thminute, through a penalty kick by Phil Neal, after debutant Cowans was fouled in the box by Flynn in the box after a one-two with the other debutant Statham.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1983

(England squad, top,  left to right: Terence Ian Butcher, Alvin Edward Martin, Paul Mariner, Peter Leslie Shilton, Alan Ernest Devonshire, Bottom, left to right: Luther Loide Blissett,  Samuel Lee, Derek James Statham, Phillip George Neal, Gary Vincent Mabbutt  , Gordon Sidney Cowans, February 23, 1983, Home Championship, England 2-Wales 1)

The next match took place three months later, on May 24, 1983 at Glasgow between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Billy Bingham’s Northern Ireland were in full strength with many of the 1982 World Cup veterans. The only one missing was Norman Whiteside who missed all these matches.

Scotland were missing many regulars due to injuries and club commitments, such as Aberdeen’s Jim Leighton, Miller, McLeisch, Liverpool’s Dalglish, Hansen and Souness and Leeds’ Frank Gray.

In addition, Aberdeen’s Gordon Strachan only appeared after the break.

This was an experimental Scottish squad with Neil Simpson earning his first cap and Richard Gough and Charlie Nicholas both earning their second caps.

John Wark and David Narey were the only usual regulars that Jock Stein started with.

In an uneventful match, the Scottish were more dominant in the second half, but could find no way through the Northern Irish defense, despite a penalty appeal for a foul on Nicholas.

The third and fourth matches in the series took place on the same day, May 28^th, 1983, when Northern Ireland hosted England at Windsor Park and Wales hosted Scotland at Cardiff,

England had many of its regulars back and Northern Ireland’s squad was similar to the one vs. Scotland a few days before.

Bobby Robson gave first caps to Graham Roberts and John Barnes.

Glenn Hoddle earned his first start under Robson.

Debutant Graham Roberts almost scored an own goal when he headed a cross by Armstrong towards his own goal, but Shilton saved with a quick reflex.

In general, Northern Ireland dominated without really being able to break through England’s defense.

In another scoreless draw for Northern Ireland, Sammy McIllroy and O’Neill were their best players, while Peter Shilton stood out for England.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Wales v Northern Ireland , 1984

(John McClelland, May 28, 1983, Home Championship, Northern Ireland 0-England 0)

In the other match that day, Scotland earned their first victory in Wales in a decade.

Scotland were near full strength and made seven changes from their previous match and rested Charlie Nicholas.

Wales gave first caps to Slatter and Lowndes.

Scotland took the lead in the 11^th minute. Gordon Strachan took a corner that McLeisch headed down towards the goal and Andy Gray turned it in right in front of the goal.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Scotland v Wales, 1984

(Andy Gray after scoring, May 28, 1983, Home Championship, Wales 0-Scotland 2)

Scotland’s second was scored in the 67^th minute. Souness sent a ball into the box for Gough that Southall was unable to control, Alan Brazil took the loose ball and scored his first ever goal for Scotland.

On May 31^st, Northern Ireland hosted Wales at Windsor Park.

Wales gave first caps to Alan Davies and Jeff Hopkins.

Northern Ireland dominated for long spells and Gerry Armstrong even hit the post in the 5^th minute, but just like the previous matches just could not score.

Wales went ahead in the 64^th minute when Southall took a punt that Chris Nicholl failed to clear and Gordon Davies ran and chipped the ball over Jennings.

This result ended Northern Ireland’s four year unbeaten run at home.

The next day (June 1^st) at Wembley: England hosted Scotland for their 101^st meeting. The match was played in the evening at midweek to reduce any incidents of hooliganism.

Both squads were at full strength for this important annual matchup.

Scotland dominated the early exchanges, though England eventually took control.

England captain Bryan Robson was injured in an early tackle by Narey. Despite the pain he still stayed on.

In the 13^th minute, Robson gave England the lead while still in pain.

Kenny Sansom’s throw in was headed on by Terry Butcher and tapped in by Robson.

Robson was replaced in the 25^th minute by Mabbut, as he was unable to continue.

England scored the second early in the second half, after a Trevor Francis cross from the right, led to a scramble that involved Neal and Cowans. Cowans shot the loose ball and scored his first goal for England.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Scotland v England, 1984

(Phil Neal and Gordon Strachan, June 1, 1983, Home Championship, England 2-Scotland 0)

Trevor Francis and Sammy Lee both had goals disallowed for infringements.

For Scotland, Charlie Nicholas was subbed off after an indifferent game. Many observers believed that his upcoming transfer from Celtic Glasgow to Arsenal was on his mind and he was unable to concentrate on the match at hand.

This was the last ever Home Championship won by England.

Home Championship Squads

England:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Peter Leslie Shilton (Southampton Football Club)

Raymond Neal Clemence  (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London) (non-playing substitute)

Defenders:

Phillip George Neal (Liverpool Football Club) 
Derek James Statham (West Bromwich Albion Football Club)
Graham Paul Roberts (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London)
Terence Ian Butcher (Ipswich Town Football Club)

Alvin Edward Martin (West Ham United Football Club-London)

Kenneth Graham Sansom (Arsenal Football Club-London)

Russel Charles Osman (Ipswich Town Football Club) (non-playing substitute)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Samuel Lee (Liverpool Football Club)

Gary Vincent Mabbutt  (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London)

Gordon Sidney Cowans (Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham)

Glenn Hoddle (Tottenham Hotspur Football  Club-London)
Bryan Robson  (Manchester United Football Club)
John Charles Bryan Barnes (Watford Football Club)
 Trevor John Francis (Unione Calcio Sampdoria –Genova / Italy)

Peter Withe (Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham)

Paul Mariner (Ipswich Town Football Club)

Luther Loide Blissett (Associazione Calcio Milan / Italy)

Alan Ernest Devonshire (West Ham United Football Club-London)

Paul Anthony Walsh (Luton Town Football Club)  (non-playing substitute)

Coach: Robert William Robson

Scotland:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

 James Leighton (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

William Thomson (Saint-Mirren Football Club-Paisley)

Defenders:

Alistair Dawson (Rangers Football Club- Glasgow)

Charles ‘Richard’ Gough (Dundee United Football Club)

Paul Anthony Hegarty  (Dundee United Football Club)

David Narey  (Dundee United Football Club)

Francis Tierney Gray (Leeds United Association Football Club / England)

Alexander McLeish (Aberdeen Football Club Limited) 

William Fergus Miller (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Graeme James Souness  (Liverpool Football Club / England)     

Gordon David Strachan (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Neil Simpson (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

John Wark (Ipswich Town Football Club / England)

Eamonn John Bannon (Dundee United Football Club)

Andrew Mullen Gray (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Thomas Burns (The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow)     

Charles Nicholas (The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow)     

Alan Bernard Brazil (Ipswich Town Football Club / England)

Coach: John ‘Jock’ Stein

Northern Ireland:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Patrick Anthony Jennings (Arsenal Football Club-London / England)

James Archibald Platt (Middlesbrough Football Club / England) (non-playing substitute)

Defenders:

James Michael Nicholl (Toronto Blizzard / Canada)

Malachy Martin Donaghy (Luton Town Football Club / England)

Christopher John Nicholl (Southampton Football Club / England)

John McClelland (Rangers Football Club-Glasgow / Scotland)

Nigel Worthington (Notts County Football Club-Nottingham / England) (non-playing substitute)

James Hagan (Birmingham City Football Club / England) (non-playing substitute)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Gerald Mullan (Glentoran Football Club-Belfast)

Noel Brotherston (Blackburn Rovers Football Club / England)

James Cleary (Glentoran Football Club-Belfast)

John Patrick O'Neill  (Leicester City Football Club / England)

Samuel Baxter McIlroy (Stoke City Football Club / England)

William Robert Hamilton (Burnley Football Club / England)

Ian Edwin Stewart (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London / England)

Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill  (Norwich City Football Club / England)

Gerard Joseph Armstrong (Watford Football Club / England)

Coach: William Laurence Bingham

Wales:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Neville Southall (Everton Football Club-Liverpool / England)

David Felgate (Lincoln City Football Club / England) (non-playing substitute)

Defenders:

Jeffrey Hopkins (Fulham Football Club-London / England)

George Frederick Berry (Stoke City Football Club / England)

Joseph Patrick Jones (Chelsea Football Club-London / England)

Kevin Ratcliffe (Everton Football Club-Liverpool / England)  

Robert Mark James (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Paul Terence Price (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London / England)

Neil John Slatter (Bristol Rovers Football Club / England)

Stephen Lowndes (Newport County Football Club / England)  

Midfielders / Forwards:

Jeremy Melvyn Charles (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

John Francis Mahoney (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Leighton James (Sunderland Association Football Club / England)

Kenneth Francis Jackett (Watford Football Club / England)

Brian Flynn (Burnley Football Club / England) 

Michael Reginald ‘Mickey’ Thomas (Stoke City Football Club / England)

David Charles Giles (Crystal Palace Football Club-London / England)

Ian James Rush (Liverpool Football Club / England)

Gordon John Davies (Fulham Football Club-London / England)

Alan Davies (Manchester United Football Club / England) 

Nigel Mark Vaughan (Newport County Football Club / England) (non-playing substitute)

Dudley Lewis (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League)  (non-playing substitute)

Peter Nicholas (Arsenal Football Club-London / England)

Coach: Harold Michael England

1983 Home Championship Matches:

February 23, 1983- London - Wembley Stadium

Referee:  Robert Valentine (Scotland)

England 2-Wales 1 (Terry Butcher 39, Phil Neal 78 pen / Ian Rush 14)

England: 1- Peter Shilton (captain), 2- Phil Neal, 3- Derek Statham, 5- Alvin Martin, 6- Terry Butcher, 4- Sammy Lee, 7- Gary Mabbutt, 8- Luther Blissett, 9- Paul Mariner, 10- Gordon Cowans, 11- Alan Devonshire

Wales: Neville Southall, Joey Jones (George Berry 44^th), Kevin Ratcliffe , Brian Flynn, Paul Price, Kenny Jackett, Gordon Davies, Robbie James,
Ian Rush, Mickey Thomas, John Mahoney (Leighton James 80^th )

May 24, 1983- Glasgow - Hampden Park

Referee:  Keith Hackett (England)

Scotland 0-Northern Ireland 0

Scotland: 1- William Thomson, 2-Alistair Dawson, 3- Richard Gough, 4-Neil Simpson (Gordon Strachan 65^th ), 5-Paul Hegarty (captain), 6-David Narey, 7-John Wark, 8-Eamonn Bannon, 9-Andy Gray, 10-Tommy Burns, 11- Charlie Nicholas

Northern Ireland: Pat Jennings, Jimmy Nicholl, Mal Donaghy, John Patrick O'Neill  (Chris Nicholl 46^th ), John McClelland, Sammy McIlroy, Martin O'Neill , Gerald Mullan, Gerry Armstrong, Billy Hamilton (15-Noel Brotherston 89^th ), Ian Stewart 

May 28, 1983- Belfast -Windsor Park

Referee:  Howard King (Wales)

Northern Ireland 0 -England 0

Northern Ireland: 1-Pat Jennings, 2-Jimmy Nicholl, 3-Mal Donaghy, 4-Chris Nicholl , 5-John McClelland, 6-Martin O'Neill , 7-Gerald Mullan (Noel Brotherston ), 8-Sammy McIlroy, 9-Gerry Armstrong, 10-Billy Hamilton, 11-Ian Stewart

Other Subs: 12-Jim Platt, 13-James Hagan, 14-Nigel Worthington, 16- James Cleary

England: 1-Peter Shilton (captain), 2- Phil Neal, 3- Kenny Sansom, 5-Graham Roberts, 6- Terry Butcher, 4- Glenn Hoddle, 7- Gary Mabbutt, 8- Trevor  Francis, 9- Peter Withe, 10- Luther Blissett (16-John Barnes 69^th ), 11- Gordon Cowans

Other Subs: 12-Russel Osman , 13-Ray Clemence, 14-Sammy Lee,15-Paul Walsh

May 28, 1983- Cardiff-Ninian Park

Referee:  Malcolm Moffat (Northern Ireland)

Wales 0-Scotland 2 (Andy Gray 11, Alan Brazil 67)

Wales: Neville Southall,  Joey Jones, Neil Slatter, Brian Flynn (Stephen Lowndes 58^th), Paul Price, Kevin Ratcliffe,  Peter Nicholas, Kenny Jackett, Jeremy Charles, Mickey Thomas, Gordon Davies

Scotland: 1- Jim Leighton, 2- Richard Gough, 3- Frank Gray, 4-David Narey, 5- Alex McLeish,  6- Willie Miller, 7- Gordon Strachan, 8- Eamonn Bannon,

9-Andy Gray, 10-Alan Brazil, 11- Graeme Souness (captain) 

May 31, 1983- Belfast -Windsor Park

Referee:  Hugh Alexander (Scotland)

Northern Ireland 0-Wales 1 (Gordon Davies 64)

Northern Ireland :  Pat Jennings, Jimmy Nicholl, Mal Donaghy, Chris Nicholl, John McClelland, Sammy McIlroy (captain), Gerald Mullan, Noel Brotherston, Gerry Armstrong, Billy Hamilton, Ian Stewart (James Cleary 85^th )

Other Subs:          Jim Platt, James Hagan, Nigel Worthington, John Patrick O'Neill

Wales: Neville Southall,  Jeffrey Hopkins, Kevin Ratcliffe, Joey Jones, Brian Flynn, Paul Price (David Giles 72^nd ), Peter Nicholas, Gordon Davies,  Jeremy Charles,  Mickey Thomas, Alan Davies

Other Subs:  David Felgate,  Kenny Jackett, Nigel Vaughan, Dudley Lewis  

June 1, 1983- London - Wembley Stadium

Referee:  Erik Fredriksson (Sweden)

England 2-Scotland 0 (Bryan Robson 12, Gordon Cowans 52)

England : 1-Peter Shilton, 2- Phil Neal, 3- Kenny Sansom, 5- Graham Roberts, 6- Terry Butcher, 4- Sammy Lee, 7- Bryan Robson (captain) (Gary Mabbutt 25^th), 8- Trevor Francis, 9- Peter Withe  (Luther Blissett 46^th ), 10- Glenn Hoddle, 11- Gordon Cowans

Other Subs: Russel Osman , Ray Clemence, John Barnes

Scotland:  1- Jim Leighton, 2- Richard Gough, 3- Frank Gray, 4-David Narey, 5- Alex McLeish,  6- Willie Miller, 7- Gordon Strachan, 8- Graeme Souness (captain), 9-Andy Gray, 10-Charlie Nicholas (John Wark 67^th), 11- Eamonn Bannon (Alan Brazil 53^rd )

Final table               P     W   D   L  GF  GA  GD     Pts

1- England               3     2    1        0    4     1    +3       5

2- Scotland                       3     1    1     1    2     2      0        3

3- Northern Ireland  3     0    2     1    0     1     –1       2

4-Wales                       3     1    0     2    2     4    –2        2

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Points

New Addition: The British Home Championship-Part One

The 1984 British Home Championship

In 1984, the British Home Championship drew its last breath after a full Century of annual meetings between the Nations of the British Isles (Not including the years of the World Wars).

After years of Governmental Pressure, it was decided to disband the competition. England and Scotland felt more attractive and competitive opposition was needed and these annual meetings were unnecessary extra matches in an already crowded fixture.

Some crowd trouble along the years had also led to the final decision.

Wales and Northern Ireland were against abolition of this Tournament, as these matches helped their coffers.

The first match of this Final Home Championship was actually played in 1983. On December 13^th, 1983, Northern Ireland hosted Scotland at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland had narrowly missed on the European Championship and were coming off an impressive away win vs. West Germany the month before.
Scotland had also missed on Euro Qualification (as had all the Home Nations) and were coming off a loss vs. East Germany in the qualifiers.

In contrast with Scotland, Aberdeen (managed by Alex Ferguson) were dominant and were to clinch the UEFA Super Cup vs. SV Hamburg the following week.

For this first match, Scotland Manager Jock Stein started the match with five Aberdeen players, plus Mark McGhee who came on in the second half.

Aberdeen defender Doug Rougvie deputizing for the missing Arthur Albiston earned his only cap.

Scotland (wearing Red) were also missing John Wark, Kenny Dalglish and Steve Archibald.

Northern Ireland were clearly in better form at home and scored in the First half. In the 17^th minute, Terry Cochrane passed to Hamilton, who immediately crossed it across the goalmouth for Whiteside to score.

Graeme Souness scored a goal for Scotland in the 28^th minute that was disallowed after a Peter Weir’s foul on Mc Elhinney.

In the 56^th minute, Cochrane was involved again; his cross into the box from the left side was met by McIlroy who volleyed it home.

The next match took place on February 28, 1984 at Glasgow between Scotland and Wales.

Scotland were once again missing Dalglish, as well as Gordon Strachan, Archibald and McGhee. In a poor and uninspiring match Scotland came out winners and went ahead first in the 37^th minute from a penalty kick by Davie Cooper. Wales tied up the match early in the second half through Robbie James. Maurice Johnston made his debut for Scotland in the second half and scored his first goal as well and the match winner in the 78^th minute.

The third match in the series took place at Wembley between England and Northern Ireland on April 4, 1984. This was in fact the last ever Home International at Wembley.

The absence of Kenny Sansom paved the way for Liverpool defender Alan Kennedy to earn his first cap for England. Northern Ireland’s Pat Jennings was also missing and Jim Platt earned a rare cap in the process.

Photo From: England, The Complete Post-War Record, Author Mike Payne

(Woodcock scoring England’s winner past Jim Platt, April 4, 1984, Home Championship, England 1-Northern Ireland 0)

In another poor match in the series, Ray Wilkins was the pick of the bunch.

England scored the winner in the 40^th minute. Viv Anderson took a hard shot that Platt could not hold onto and Woodcock headed into an empty net.

Billy Hamilton had a couple of chances to tie the match but was unsuccessful.

Photo From: Goal,  February 1998

(Alan Kennedy, April 4, 1984, Home Championship, England 1-Northern Ireland 0)

On May 2^nd, Wales hosted England at Wrexham. England were missing nine regulars that included Captain Bryan Robson, Kenny Sansom and Terry Butcher.

In the process, Alan Kenendy earned his second (and final) cap. Defenders Mark Wright and substitute Terry Fenwick also made their debuts. For Wales, Mark Hughes made his debut for his nation.

Photo From: Nations of Europe, Volume II author Ron Hockings and Keir Radnedge, 1993

(Wales Squad, top, left to right: Robbie James, Jeff Hopkins, Neville Southall,  Ian Rush,, Joey Jones, Mark Hughes , Bottom, left to right: Gordon Davies, Kevin Ratcliffe, Mickey Thomas, Alan Davies, David Phillips  , May 2, 1984, Home Championship, Wales 1-England  0)

The more determined Welsh were rewarded in the 19^th minute. Ian Rush was brought down, the late Alan Davies took the free kick and his Manchester United club mate Mark Hughes headed the winner. While Welsh goalkeeper Neville Southall was almost a spectator, his opposite Shilton saw most of the action and was England’s best on the field. The debutant Hughes scored another goal that was called off.

Photo From: Shoot, Issue November 17, 1984

(Mark Hughes scoring the winner , May 2, 1984, Home Championship, Wales 1-England  0)

On May 22^nd, Wales hosted Northern Ireland in their respective Final ever Home Championship matches at Swansea. The honors were shared with Mark Hughes scoring once again for Wales and Gerry Armstrong replying for the Irish.

Four days later at Glasgow, the stage was set for the Final ever match of the oldest ever rivalry: England and Scotland (102^nd meeting).

Scotland were once again missing Kenny Dalglish. England welcomed back Kenny Sansom, but were missing Terry Butcher.

Bobby Robson opted for a 4-2-4 formation and England were stronger in the early going.

Surprisingly, Scotland scored first against the run of the play in the 13^thminute.

Davie Cooper took a corner that Shilton punched clear; Strachan took possession and sent it into the box, where the unmarked McGhee headed it home.

England continued to press and in the 37^th minute tied up the match. Mark Chamberlain saved a ball that was about to go out and passed to Woodcock on the right side touchline.  Tony Woodcock went around Miller and blasted with his left foot from edge of the box.

Scotland improved in the second half after Mo’ Johnton and McStay came on. Ten minutes later, Gary Lineker made his debut for England by replacing the injured Woodcock. Substitute Stephen Hunt earned his first cap for England as well.

Scotland finished stronger and had chances to win.

Photo From: England v Scotland, The Auld Enemy, Author: Dean Hayes

(May 26, 1984, Home Championship, Scotland 1-England 1)

The final whistle brought an end to the oldest ever Soccer Tournament.

In the following years, England and Scotland tried to at least maintain their annual meetings by playing each other in the Stanley Rous Cup. This in itself was disbanded in 1989 due to continuous crowd trouble.

As far as this Final Tournament, Northern Ireland was victorious by goal difference as all the teams had identical record and points. In a way it was fitting that the two nations who wanted to retain this competition the most ended up at the top.

Home Championship Squads

England:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Peter Leslie Shilton (Southampton Football Club)

Defenders:
Vivian Alexander Anderson (Nottingham Forest Football Club)
Alan Phillip Kennedy (Liverpool Football Club)
Graham Paul Roberts (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London)
Terence Ian Butcher (Ipswich Town Football Club)

Michael Duxburry (Manchester United Football Club)

Alvin Edward Martin (West Ham United Football Club-London)

Terence William Fenwick (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London)
Mark Wright (Southampton Football Club)

Kenneth Graham Sansom (Arsenal Football Club-London)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Samuel Lee (Liverpool Football Club)
Bryan Robson  (Manchester United Football Club)
Raymond Colin Wilkins (Manchester United Football Club)
Graeme Rix (Arsenal Football Club-London)

John Charles Gregory (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London)

Mark Valentine Chamberlain (Stoke City Football Club) 

Stephen Kenneth Hunt (West Bromwich Albion Football Club)
John Charles Bryan Barnes (Watford Football Club)
Gary Winston Lineker (Leicester City Football Club)
Anthony Stewart Woodcock (Arsenal Football Club-London)
Trevor John Francis (Unione Calcio Sampdoria –Genova / Italy)

Paul Anthony Walsh (Luton Town Football Club) 
David Armstrong  (Southampton Football Club) 

Luther Loide Blissett (Associazione Calcio Milan / Italy)

Coach: Robert William Robson

Scotland:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

 James Leighton (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Defenders:

Charles ‘Richard’ Gough (Dundee United Football Club)

Douglas Rougvie (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Alexander McLeish (Aberdeen Football Club Limited) 

Robert Sime ‘Roy’ Aitken (The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow)     

Arthur Richard Albiston (Manchester United Football Club / England)

William Fergus Miller (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Graeme James Souness  (Liverpool Football Club / England)     

Gordon David Strachan (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Paul Michael Lyons McStay (The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow)     

Francis Peter McGarvey (The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow)

Mark Edward McGhee (Aberdeen Football Club Limited) 

David Dodds (Dundee United Football Club)

Peter Russell Weir (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Paul Whitehead Sturrock (Dundee United Football Club)

Maurice Johnston (Watford Football Club / England) 

James Bett (Koninklijke Sporting Club Lokeren / Belgium)

David Cooper (Rangers Football Club -Glasgow)

John Wark (Liverpool Football Club / England)

Steven Archibald (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London / England)

Coach: John ‘Jock’ Stein

Northern Ireland:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Patrick Anthony Jennings (Arsenal Football Club-London / England)

James Archibald Platt (Ballymena United Football Club)

Defenders:

James Michael Nicholl (Rangers Football Club-Glasgow / Scotland)

Malachy Martin Donaghy (Luton Town Football Club / England)

John McClelland (Rangers Football Club-Glasgow / Scotland)

Gerard M.A. McElhinney (Bolton Wanderers Football Club / England)

Nigel Worthington (Sheffield Wednesday Football Club / England)

Colin Frederick Hill (Arsenal Football Club-London / England)  (non-playing substitute)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Paul Christopher Ramsey (Leicester City Football Club / England)

George ‘Terence’ Cochrane (Gillingham Football Club / England)

John Patrick O'Neill  (Leicester City Football Club / England)

Samuel Baxter McIlroy (Stoke City Football Club / England)

William Robert Hamilton (Burnley Football Club / England)

Norman Whiteside (Manchester United Football Club / England)

Ian Edwin Stewart (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London / England)

Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill  (Notts County Football Club-Nottingham / England)

Gerard Joseph Armstrong  (Real Club Deportivo Mallorca / Spain)

James Martin Quinn (Swindon Town Football Club / England) (non-playing substitute)

Coach: William Laurence Bingham

Wales:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Neville Southall (Everton Football Club-Liverpool / England)

Andrew Gerald Dibble (Cardiff City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) (non-playing substitute)

Defenders:

Jeffrey Hopkins (Fulham Football Club-London / England)

Joseph Patrick Jones (Chelsea Football Club-London / England)

Kevin Ratcliffe (Everton Football Club-Liverpool / England)  

Robert Mark James (Stoke City Football Club / England) 

Paul Terence Price (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London / England)

David Owen Phillips (Plymouth Argyle Football Club / England) 

Neil John Slatter (Bristol Rovers Football Club / England) (non-playing substitute)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Jeremy Melvyn Charles (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London / England)

Kenneth Francis Jackett (Watford Football Club / England)

Brian Flynn (Burnley Football Club / England) 

Michael Reginald ‘Mickey’ Thomas (Chelsea Football Club-London / England)

Alan Thomas Curtis (Southampton Football Club / England)  

Ian James Rush (Liverpool Football Club / England)

Gordon John Davies (Fulham Football Club-London / England)

Alan Davies (Manchester United Football Club / England) 

Mark Leslie Hughes (Manchester United Football Club / England)

Nigel Mark Vaughan (Cardiff City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League)    

Glyn Peter Hodges (Wimbledon Football Club-London / England) (non-playing substitute)

Peter Nicholas (Arsenal Football Club-London / England) (non-playing substitute)

Coach: Harold Michael England

1984 Home Championship Matches:

December 13, 1983- Belfast -Windsor Park

Referee:  Neil Midgley (England)

Northern Ireland 2-Scotland 0   (Norman Whiteside 17, Sammy McIlroy 56)

Northern Ireland : Pat Jennings, Jimmy Nicholl, Mal Donaghy, John McClelland, Gerard McElhinney, Paul Ramsey, Terry Cochrane (John O'Neill  86^th) , Sammy McIlroy, Billy Hamilton, Norman Whiteside, Ian Stewart

Scotland: Jim Leighton, Richard Gough, Doug Rougvie, Graeme Souness (Captain), Alex McLeish, Gordon Strachan, Paul McStay, Frank McGarvey (Mark McGhee 60^th), Davie Dodds, Peter Weir

February 28, 1984- Glasgow - Hampden Park

Referee:  Jack Poucher (Northern Ireland)

Scotland 2-Wales 1 (David Cooper 37pen, Maurice Johnston 78 / Robbie James 47)

Scotland: Jim Leighton, Richard Gough, Arthur Albiston,  Graeme Souness (Captain), Alex McLeish, Willie Miller, Paul Sturrock, Paul McStay (Roy Aitken 64^th), Frank McGarvey (Maurice Johnston 46^th), Jim Bett, Davie Cooper

Wales: Neville Southall, Jeff Hopkins,  Joey Jones,  Jeremy Charles, Kevin Ratcliffe, Robbie James,  Kenny Jackett, Brian Flynn, Mickey Thomas, Alan Curtis (Paul  Price 84th), Ian Rush  (Gordon Davies 64th)

April 4, 1984- Wembley Stadium

Referee:  Ronald Bridges (Wales)

England 1-Northern Ireland 0 (Tony Woodcock 49)

England: Peter Shilton, Viv Anderson, Alan Kennedy, Sammy Lee, Graham Roberts, Terry Butcher, Bryan Robson (captain) , Ray Wilkins, Trevor John Francis, Tony Woodcock, Graeme Rix

Northern Ireland: Jim Platt, Jimmy Nicholl, Mal Donaghy, John McClelland, Gerard McElhinney, Martin O'Neill (captain), Gerry Armstrong , Sammy McIlroy, Billy Hamilton, Norman Whiteside, Ian Stewart

May 2, 1984- Wrexham -Racecourse Ground

Referee:  David Syme (Scotland)

Wales 1-England 0 (Mark Hughes 17)

Wales: Neville Southall, David Phillips, Joey Jones, Robbie James, Jeff Hopkins, Kevin Ratcliffe,  Gordon Davies, Alan Davies, Ian Rush, Mickey Thomas,
Mark Hughes

England: Peter Shilton, Mike Duxburry, Alan Kennedy, Sammy Lee, Alvin Martin (Terry Fenwick 81st), Mark Wright, John Gregory, Ray Wilkins (Captain), Paul Walsh, Tony Woodcock,  David Armstrong (Luther Blissett 77th)

May 22, 1984- Swansea-Vetch Field

Referee:  Brian McGinlay (Scotland)

Wales 1- Northern Ireland 1 (Mark Hughes 51 / Gerry Armstrong 71)

Wales: Neville Southall,  Kevin Ratcliffe,  David Phillips,  Joey Jones,  Alan Davies, Jeff Hopkins, Robbie James, Gordon John Davies (Nigel Vaughan 75th), Kenny Jackett, Ian Rush, Mark Hughes

Other Subs:          Andy Dibble, Neil Slatter, Glyn Hodges, Peter Nicholas

Northern Ireland : Pat Jennings  (Jim Platt 38th), Mal Donaghy, Nigel Worthington, Gerard McElhinney, John McClelland, Sammy McIlroy, Martin Hugh O'Neill  (captain), Ian Stewart, Gerry Armstrong, Billy Hamilton, Norman Whiteside

Other Subs:          Colin Hill,  Paul Ramsey, Jimmy Quinn, Terry Cochrane

May 26, 1984- Glasgow - Hampden Park 

Referee:  Paolo Casarin (Italy)

Scotland 1-England 1  (Mark McGhee 13 / Tony Woodcock 37)

Scotland: 1-Jim  Leighton, 2-Richard Gough, 3- Arthur Albiston, 4-John Wark,  5-Alex McLeish,  6- Willie Miller (captain), 7- Gordon Strachan (14- Paul McStay 63rd), 8- Steven Archibald, 9-Mark McGhee (16-Maurice Johnston 63^rd), 10- Jim Bett, 11-Davie Cooper

England :1- Peter Shilton, 2- Mike Duxburry, 3- Kenny Sansom, 4- Ray Wilkins, 5- Graham Roberts, 6- Terry Fenwick, 7- Mark Chamberlain (15-Stephen Hunt 75^th ), 8- Bryan Robson (captain), 9- Tony Woodcock  (16-Gary Lineker 73^rd ), 10- Luther  Blissett, 11- John Barnes

Final table               P     W   D   L  GF  GA  GD     Pts

1-Northern Ireland  3      1    1            1    3     2    +1       3

2-Wales                         3     1    1     1    3     3      0        3

3-England                3      1   1      1    2     2     0        3

4-Scotland                3     1    1      1    3     4    –1       3

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Points

Top Goalscorer-Mark Hughes (Wales), Tony Woodcock (England) 2 goals