The British Home Championship-Part Six

The 1979 British Home Championship

The 1979 edition of the British Home Championship took place while the Home Nations were in the middle of the UEFA European Championship qualifiers of 1980.

In fact the Home Nations had qualifiers and other friendlies in the upcoming month of June and these annual series served as practice.

Incidentally England and Northern Ireland had been drawn in the same Euros qualifying Group and had played one another in a qualifier just months earlier at Wembley (February 7, 1989, England 4-Northern Ireland 0).

England were led by Kevin Keegan, who had just led SV Hamburg to the Bundesliga title that season and was the Best player in Europe having won the Ballon d’Or the previous December (He would win it again in December 1979).

Ron Greenwood’s England had an upcoming qualifier on June 6^th vs. Bulgaria at Sofia followed by two away friendlies at Stockholm vs. Sweden (June 10^th) and in Vienna vs. Austria (June 13^th).

For Scotland, Team Manager Jock Stein was beset by the unavailability of Celtic and Rangers players, as League Matches were still being played.

Stein had stated that he intended to experiment with new players.

In June 2^nd, they were to face defending World Cup Champions Argentina at Glasgow (Argentina were about to introduce Diego Maradona to the European Audience). Five days later, they were to face Norway in a qualifier at Oslo.

Likewise, Northern Ireland and Wales had upcoming away qualifiers in June vs. Denmark and Malta respectively.

None of the teams could call upon Nottingham Forest players who were due to face Malmoe in the Champions Cup Final. This meant no Peter Shilton, Viv Anderson, Kenny Burns, Archie Gemmill, Tony Woodcock, Trevor Francis nor Martin O’Neill

The 1979 Edition kicked off on May 19, 1979 at Belfast with Northern Ireland hosting England.

In addition to the Nottingham contingent, England were missing Keegan.

The Irish started better but the English scored early on to break any momentum.

In the 9^th minute, Coppell took a free kick from the right side that was headed in by Dave Watson.

Coppell himself doubled up the lead in the 16^th minute, from a pass by Wilkins. He finished up a move that had also included McDermott and Latchford.

England generally controlled the rest of the match and could have scored more.

McDermott, Wilkins and Currie controlled the midfield and dictated the play.

England goalkeeper Ray Clemence was virtually untested.

Photo From: World Soccer , July 1979

(Dave Watson scoring, May 19, 1979, Home Championship, Northern Ireland 0-England 2)

On the same day at Cardiff, Wales hosted Scotland. Scotland fielded four debutants in what could be described as a horrible display by the Scots.

The Liverpool pair of Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen were also singled out for their poor performance.

Wales outplayed and defeated Scotland through a John Toshack hat trick.

Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 10, January 1981

(Team captains Terry Yorath and Kenny Dalglish, May 19, 1979, Home Championship, Wales 3-Scotland 0)

In the 29^th minute, Curtis released Toshack on the left side and he easily went past Hansen and Hegarty to score.

Six minutes later, Phillips passed down Mahoney’s throw-in, to Flynn who crossed to Curtis who headed it across for Toshack. Alan Rough stopped his first attempt, but Toshack scored from the rebound.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 61, January 1981

(Kenny Dalglish, May 19, 1979, Home Championship, Wales 3-Scotland 0)

Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 10, January 1981

(Bryan Flynn, May 19, 1979, Home Championship, Wales 3-Scotland 0)

With fifteen minutes remaining, a throw-in was taken reached Curtis on the right side. Curtis crossed for Toshack who scored the third with a header. Wales nearly scored a fourth, but Robbie James’ long-range effort hit the post.

Photo From: World Soccer , July 1979

(John Toshack scoring, May 19, 1979, Home Championship, Wales 3-Scotland 

On May 22^nd, Scotland took on Northern Ireland in Glasgow. Stein made changes from the Wales match. George Wood started in goal, and Gordon McQueen and Joe Jordan also started in place of Alan Hansen and Ian Wallace.
Scottish striker Arthur Graham scored the only goal in a match where he had many chances, but found Pat Jennings in impressive form for the Irish.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Northern Ireland v Scotland , 1981

(May 22, 1979, Home Championship, Scotland 1-Northern Ireland 0)

Graham scored, picking up a rebound after Jennings had stopped a Dalglish shot.

Graham scored another goal just before the end that was ruled out due to an infraction by Jordan.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Northern Ireland v Scotland , 1981

(May 22, 1979, Home Championship, Scotland 1-Northern Ireland 0)

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Northern Ireland v Scotland , 1981

(May 22, 1979, Home Championship, Scotland 1-Northern Ireland 0)

The following day, England hosted Wales at Wembley. Greenwood made a number of changes.  Corrigan, Cherry, Sansom, Hughes, Keegan and Cunningham came into the side replacing Clemence, Neal, Mills, Thompson, Coppell and Barnes.

Sansom and Cunningham were making their International debuts.

It was a balanced match with chances but not pleasant to watch and a scoreless draw was an appropriate result.

Photo From: World Soccer , July 1979

(May 23, 1979, Home Championship, England 0-Wales 0)

Photo From: World Soccer , February 1980

(Kevin Keegan, May 23, 1979, Home Championship, England 0-Wales 0)

Photo From: England, The Complete Post-War Record, Author Mike Payne (1)

(Joey Jones and Laurie Cunningham, May 23, 1979, Home Championship, England 0-Wales 0)

On May 25^th, Northern Ireland hosted the Welsh at Belfast. The match ended as a one-one tie. Northern Ireland’s Derek Spence opened the scoring after less than a minute.

In the second half Robbie James tied up the match with along range effort.

On the following day, May 26th, the top billing encounter between England a nd Scotland took place at Wembley.

England started with much the same lineup as their first but with Keegan and Trevor Brooking starting.

For Scotland, Stein preferred to maintain Wood in the net.

The pre-macth concerns revolved around the security at the stadium, as there were continuous problems with visiting Scottish fans.

The Scottish started the match better and dominated much of the first half.

John Wark and Asa Hartford were good in midfield, as were the striking duo of Dalglish and Graham.

Bob Latchford scored a goal for England that was disallowed for an foul on Wood.

Scotland deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute. From the right side, Graham sent in across the goal, Dalglish controlled it and laid it back on for the unmarked Wark to score.

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

(John Wark after scoring, May 26, 1979, Home Championship, England 3-Scotland 1)

Scotland appeared to be headed for a halftime lead when a drop in concentration led to the English equalizer in the first half injury time (time added on after a drunk Scottish fan had invaded the pitch).

Jock Stein was walking towards the tunnel just before the halftime whistle and many felt the Scottish players relaxed upon seeing that.

Keegan passed the ball to Peter Barnes, who flicked it and took a low shot past Wood.

In the Second half, the Scottish just collapsed and gave up and England took control.

In the 62^nd minute, Mick Mills, from the middle, sent a pass across to Wilkins on the right side. Wood parried Wilkins’ shot and Coppell scored from the rebound.

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

(Steve Coppel scoring, May 26, 1979, Home Championship, England 3-Scotland 1)

In the 70^th minute, Coppell sent Keegan through, he charged from the midway line towards the Scottish goal. He did a one-two with Brooking and scored the third goal.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 52, April 1980

(Kevin Keegan scoring the third, May 26, 1979, Home Championship, England 3-Scotland 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 52, April 1980

(Kevin Keegan scoring the third, May 26, 1979, Home Championship, England 3-Scotland 1)

Photo From: England, Player By Player, Author Graham Betts

(Kevin Keegan scoring the third, May 26, 1979, Home Championship, England 3-Scotland 1)

England won this edition of the Home Championship where Scotland were unimpressive.

They gave up three goals both to Wales and Scotland. In June, they would give up three goals once more at home to Argentina.

England as the strongest of the Home Nations would be the only one of the four to qualify for the following year’s Euros.

Though Scotland and Northern Ireland would manage to prepare teams that would qualify for the 1982 World Cup.

Home Championship Squads

England:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Raymond Neal Clemence (Liverpool Football Club)

Joseph Thomas Corrigan (Manchester City Football Club)

Defenders:
Philip George Neal (Liverpool Football Club)
Michael Denis ‘Mick’ Mills  (Ipswich Town Football Club)
Philip Bernard Thompson (Liverpool Football Club)
David Vernon Watson (Manchester City Football Club)  

Trevor John Cherry (Leeds United Association Football Club) 
Kenneth Graham Sansom (Crystal Palace Football Club-London)

Emlyn Walter Hughes  (Liverpool Football Club)
Anthony Williams Currie (Leeds United Association Football Club)

Midfielders/Forwards:

Stephen James Coppell (Manchester United Football Club)
Raymond Colin Wilkins (Chelsea Football Club-London)
Robert Dennis Latchford (Everton Football Club-Liverpool)
Terence McDermott (Liverpool Football Club)
Peter Simon Barnes (Manchester City Football Club) 

Kevin Joseph Keegan  (Hamburger Sport Verein e.V. /  West Germany)

David Brooking (West Ham United Football Club-London)
Lawrence Paul Cunningham (West Bromwich Albion Football Club)

Coach: Ronald Greenwood

Scotland:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Alan Roderick Rough (Partick Thistle Football Club-Glasgow)

George Wood (Everton Football Club-Liverpool / England)

Defenders:

George Elder Burley (Ipswich Town Football Club / England)

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

Paul Anthony Hegarty (Dundee United Football Club)

Alan David Hansen (Liverpool Football Club / England)

David Narey (Dundee United Football Club)

Gordon McQueen (Manchester United Football Club / England)

Midfielders / Forwards:

John Wark (Ipswich Town Football Club / England)

Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish (captain) (Liverpool Football Club / England)

Richard ‘Asa’ Hartford (Manchester City Football Club / England)

Ian Andrew Wallace (Coventry City Football Club / England)

Joseph Jordan (Manchester United Football Club / England)

Graeme James Souness (Liverpool Football Club / England)

Arthur Graham (Leeds United Association Football Club / England)

Paul Anthony Hegarty (Dundee United Football Club)

Francis Peter McGarvey (Liverpool 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)

Defenders:

Patrick James Rice (Arsenal Football Club –London / England)
Samuel Nelson (Arsenal Football Club –London / England)
James Michael Nicholl (Manchester United Football Club / England) 
Christopher John Nicholl (Southampton Football Club / England) 

Alan Hunter (Ipswich Town Football Club / England) 

Midfielders / Forwards:
Victor Moreland (Derby County Football Club / England) 

Roland Christopher McGrath (Manchester United Football Club / England)   Bryan Hamilton (Swindon Town Football Club / England)
Samuel Baxter McIlroy (Manchester United Football Club / England) 
Gerald Joseph Armstrong (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club –London / England)
William Thomas Caskey (Derby County Football Club / England) 
George Terence Cochrane (Middlesborough Football Club / England) 

Derek William Spence (Blackpool Football Club / England)  

Peter William Scott (Aldershot Town Football Club / England) 

Thomas Sloan (Manchester United Football Club / England) 

David McCreery (Manchester United Football Club / England) 

Coach: Robert Dennis ‘Danny’ Blanchflower

Wales:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

William David Davies (Wrexham Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Defenders:
William Byron Stevenson (Leeds United Association Football Club / England)

Joseph Patrick Jones (Wrexham Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Leighton Phillips (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Philip John Dwyer (Cardiff City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Midfielders / Forwards:

John Francis Mahoney (Middlesbrough Football Club / England)

Terence Charles Yorath  (Coventry City Football Club / England)

Peter Nicholas (Crystal Palace Football Club-London / England)  

Brian Flynn (Leeds United Association Football Club / England)

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

John Benjamin Toshack (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Alan Thomas Curtis (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Carl Stephen Harris (Leeds United Association Football Club / England) 

Coach: Michael Smith

1979 Home Championship Matches:

May 19, 1979- Belfast-Windsor Park

Attendance: 35,000

Referee:  Ian Foote (Scotland)

Northern Ireland 0-England 2 (Dave Watson 9, Steve Coppell 16)

Northern Ireland:  Patrick Anthony Jennings, Patrick James Rice, Samuel Nelson, James Michael Nicholl, Christopher John Nicholl, Victor Moreland (Roland Christopher McGrath 57^th), Bryan Hamilton, Samuel Baxter McIlroy, Gerald Joseph Armstrong, William Thomas Caskey, George Terence Cochrane (Derek William Spence 68^th)

England:  Raymond Neal Clemence, Philip George Neal, Michael Denis ‘Mick’ Mills (captain),  Philip Bernard Thompson, David Vernon Watson, Anthony Williams Currie, Stephen James Coppell, Raymond Colin Wilkins, Robert Dennis Latchford, Terence McDermott, Peter Simon Barnes

May 19, 1979- Cardiff-Ninian Park

Attendance: 20,371

Referee:  Patrick Partridge (England)

Wales 3-Scotland 0 (John Toshack 29,35,75)

Wales:  1-William David Davies, 2-William Byron Stevenson,  3-Joseph Patrick Jones, 6-Leighton Phillips,  5-Philip John Dwyer, 4-John Francis Mahoney, 7-Terence Charles Yorath (Captain) (14-Peter Nicholas 89nd), 8-Brian Flynn, 9-Robert Mark James,  10-John Benjamin Toshack,  11-Alan Thomas Curtis 

Scotland:  1-Alan Roderick Rough, 2-George Elder Burley, 3-Francis Tierney Gray, 4-John Wark, 5-Paul Anthony Hegarty,  6-Alan David Hansen, 7-Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish (captain), 10-Richard ‘Asa’ Hartford, 9-Ian Andrew Wallace  (13-Joseph Jordan 55^th), 8-Graeme James Souness, 11-Arthur Graham 

May 22, 1979- Glasgow -Hampden Park

Attendance: 28,524

Referee:  Clive Thomas (Wales)

Scotland 1-Northern Ireland 0 (Arthur Graham 76)

Scotland:  George Wood, George Elder Burley, Francis Tierney Gray, John Wark (David Narey 46^th), Gordon McQueen, Graeme James Souness, Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish (captain), Richard ‘Asa’ Hartford, Joseph Jordan, Paul Anthony Hegarty, Arthur Graham (Francis Peter McGarvey 85^th)  

Northern Ireland:  Patrick Anthony Jennings, Patrick James Rice, Samuel Nelson, James Michael Nicholl,  Alan Hunter,  Victor Moreland,  Bryan Hamilton,  Samuel Baxter McIlroy (Peter William Scott 62^nd), Gerald Joseph Armstrong, Thomas Sloan,  Derek William Spence (William Thomas Caskey 77^th)

May 23, 1979- London – Wembley Stadium

Attendance: 70,220

Referee:  Malcolm Moffat (Northern Ireland)

England 0-Wales 0

England:  Joseph Thomas Corrigan, Trevor John Cherry, Kenneth Graham Sansom, Anthony Williams Currie, David Vernon Watson, Emlyn Walter Hughes (captain), Kevin Joseph Keegan (Stephen James Coppell 68^th), Raymond Colin Wilkins  (Trevor David Brooking 75^th), Robert Dennis Latchford, Terence McDermott, Lawrence Paul Cunningham

Wales: William David Davies, William Byron Stevenson, Joseph Patrick Jones, Leighton Phillips, Philip John Dwyer, John Francis Mahoney, Terence Charles Yorath, Brian Flynn, Robert Mark James, John Benjamin Toshack (Carl Stephen Harris 80^th), Alan Thomas Curtis

May 25, 1979- Belfast -Windsor Park

Attendance: 6,500

Referee:  John Homewood (England)

Northern Ireland 1-Wales 1 (Derek Spence (56 seconds) / Robbie James 62)

Northern Ireland : Patrick Anthony Jennings, Patrick James Rice, Samuel Nelson, Alan Hunter,  Christopher John Nicholl,  James Michael Nicholl, David McCreery,  Derek William Spence (Thomas Sloan 46^th), Gerald Joseph Armstrong, Samuel Baxter McIlroy,  Bryan Hamilton 

Wales:  William David Davies, William Byron Stevenson, Joseph Patrick Jones, Leighton Phillips, Philip John Dwyer, John Francis Mahoney, Terence Charles Yorath, Brian Flynn, Robert Mark James, John Benjamin Toshack, Alan Thomas Curtis  (Peter Nicholas 76^th)

May 26, 1979- London – Wembley Stadium

Attendance: 100,000

Referee:  Antonio da Silva Garrido (Portugal)

England 3- Scotland 1 (Peter Barnes 45, Steve Coppell 63, Kevin Keegan 70 / John Wark 21)

England: 1-Raymond Neal Clemence, 2-Philip George Neal, 3-Michael Denis ‘Mick’ Mills, 4-Philip Bernard Thompson, 5-David Vernon Watson, 6-Raymond Colin Wilkins, 7-Kevin Joseph Keegan  (captain), 8-Stephen James Coppell, 9-Robert Dennis Latchford,  10-Trevor David Brooking, 11-Peter Simon Barnes 

Scotland:  1-George Wood, 2-George Elder Burley, 3-Francis Tierney Gray, 4-John Wark, 5-Gordon McQueen, 6-Paul Anthony Hegarty, 7-Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish (captain), 8-Graeme James Souness, 9-Joseph Jordan, 10-Richard ‘Asa’ Hartford, 11-Arthur Graham 

The British Home Championship-Part Five

The 1980 British Home Championship

The 1980 edition of the British Home Championship came a month before the 1980 UEFA European Championships in Italy. England having qualified for the Tournament saw this edition of the Home Championship as extra match practice and perhaps experimentation to select its Final squad.

All in all it was going to be a very busy month for England, who only days before the Championship had hosted and defeated Diego Maradona’s Argentina (May 13^th, 3-1 score). At the end of the month the team was scheduled to Tour Australia and further experiment with the personnel.

The Home Championship kicked off on May 16^th at Belfast, with Northern Ireland taking on Scotland.

Due to security concerns, this was Scotland’s first visit to Belfast after ten years. They had been forced to travel under the threat of expulsion from the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers in the Fall. Due to the 1980 Champions Cup and Cup winners Cup Final commitments, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal contingent were missing for all the squads.

For Northern Ireland that meant the unavailability of starting goalkeeper Pat Jennings and Martin O’Neill.

As far as the match itself, the Irish played better and deservedly won through a Billy Hamilton strike in the 37^th minute.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Northern Ireland v England-Wales , 1981

(May 16, 1980, Home Championship, Northern Ireland 1-Scotland 0)

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Northern Ireland v England-Wales , 1981

(Billy Hamilton scoring Northern Ireland’s winner, May 16, 1980, Home Championship, Northern Ireland 1-Scotland 0)

The following day, Wales hosted England at Wrexham.

Similarly England were missing Nottingham Forest players, as well as Bundesliga based stars Kevin Keegan (SV Hamburg) and Tony Woodcock (FC Koln).

Surprisingly, Nottingham Forest authorized and released defender Larry Lloyd for this match to help his England prospects. Unfortunately, this match would turn into a nightmare for Lloyd and England. Lloyd would go on to have such a poor performance that it effectively ended his England career.

This was Wales’ first match under new Manager Mike England.

It was England that struck first in this match. In the 15^th minute, Cherry sent in a cross from the left side, after a scramble Peter Barnes took a hard shot that hit Paul Mariner and deflected into the net.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  England v Wales, 1981

(May 17, 1980, Home Championship, Wales 4-England 1)

Photo From: England, Player by Player, Author: Graham Betts

(Trevor Brooking, May 17, 1980, Home Championship, Wales 4-England 1)

Wales tied up the score just five minutes later. Leighton James sent a cross from the right side; Ian Walsh headed it down for Mickey Thomas to score from close range.

England defender Phil Neal was forced off due to injury. Kenny Sansom came in his place and was moved to the left flank and Cherry moved to the right to occupy Neal’ position.

Wales took advantage of England’s disorganization at the back and struck their second in the 30^th minute.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  England v Wales, 1981

(May 17, 1980, Home Championship, Wales 4-England 1)

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  England v Wales, 1981

(Ian Walsh celebrating Wales’ second goal, May 17, 1980, Home Championship, Wales 4-England 1)

Leighton James went past Lloyd and crossed from right for Ian Walsh to head home. The unfortunate Lloyd was booked just before halftime.

In the second half England started to press more, especially through Glenn Hoddle but to no avail.

Wales scored their third in the 61^st minute. Jones picked up the ball and went on a long run and took a shot that Clemence parried, only for Leighton James to head in the rebound. Just six minutes later Wales scored the fourth goal. Giles attempted to cross from the right side, but Phil Thompson deflected it into his own net. The unlucky Larry Lloyd was substituted off injured with ten minutes to go by Ray Wilkins to end a miserable personal day. This was England’s first loss at Wales since 1955.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  England v Wales, 1981

(May 17, 1980, Home Championship, Wales 4-England 1)

Three days later on May 20^th, England hosted Northern Ireland at Wembley. Northern Ireland made no changes from the Scotland match. England reshuffled its lineup. Corrigan started in the net for the English.

Kenny Sansom and Dave Watson started in defense in place of Thompson and Lloyd. In addition, Wilkins, McDermott, David Johnson, Reeves and Devonshire (making his debut) started in place of Hoddle, Ray Kennedy, Coppell, Barnes and Mariner.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  England v Northern Ireland, 1982

(May 20, 1980, Home Championship, England 1-Northern Ireland 1)

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  England v Northern Ireland, 1982

(May 20, 1980, Home Championship, England 1-Northern Ireland 1)

England applied early pressure but afterwards the match settled for a stalemate. Corrigan made no saves in the first half. England dominated the second half as well, and deservedly went ahead with ten minutes remaining. Sansom moved along a cross by Emlyn Hughes, to Johnson waiting in the far post who scored. From the kickoff, Northern Ireland replied against the general run of play. In a breakaway Jimmy Nicholl passed to Cochrane who tied the score.

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

(May 20, 1980, Home Championship, England 1-Northern Ireland 1)

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Northern Ireland v England-Wales , 1981

(May 20, 1980, Home Championship, England 1-Northern Ireland 1)

The next day at Glasgow, Scotland faced Wales.

Scotland made a number of changes from their previous match. Alan rough took his usual spot between the posts in place of Thomson.

Munro, Hegarty, Miller and Jordan started in place of Burley, Narey, Souness and Archibald.

For the Welsh, the only change was the inclusion of Kevin Pontin for David Jones.

Early in the match, Ian Walsh had to be substituted due to injury. His replacement, Ian Rush became Wales’ second youngest cap at 18 years and 214 days old.

Shortly afterwards, in the 26^th minute, Scotland’s Willie Miller scored after exchanging passes with Dalglish. The match was generally uninspiring, though Strachan was praised for his performance.

Photo From: Official Match Programme,  Northern Ireland v England-Wales , 1981

(May 23, 1980, Home Championship, Wales 0-Northern Ireland 1)

For their third and Final match on May 23^rd at Cardiff, the Welsh hosted Northern Ireland. For the third straight match the Irish named an unchanged side.

For the Welsh Kevin Pontin and Ian Walsh were out and in their places Leighton Phillips and Ian Rush started.

The Northern Irish scored their winning goal in the 23^rd minute. Noel Brotherston scored from a low cross by Hamilton. The Irish did not relinquish the score despite pressure from Wales. Many felt the home side deserved an equalizer but the score remained unchanged and depending upon the score of the England-Scotland matchup the following day, the Irish were provisionally champions.

Scotland hosted England at Hampden needing a win. The only change in their lineup from the previous match was Roy Aitken starting in place of Peter Weir.

For the English, Corrigan, Hughes, Reeves and Devonshire were out, replaced by Clemence, Thompson, Coppell and Mariner. They were still without Keegan, Woodcock and Nottingham Forest’s Trevor Francis.

England scored as early as the 8^th minute. David Johnson crossed from right side into the far post for Mariner who headed across the goal for Brooking to tap in.

Scotland gradually took control of match, though Dalglish was guilty missing a number of good chances.

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

(May 24, 1980, Home Championship, Scotland 0-England 2)

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

(May 24, 1980, Home Championship, Scotland 0-England 2)

The restless Scottish supporters clamored for the introduction of Andy Gray the longer the match was going and seemed out of their grasp.

They got their wish early in the second half after he replaced an ineffective Aitken. Dalglish was moved back to the midfield.

For the English Coppell impressed the most. England nearly doubled the score when Mariner hit the post.

They eventually did score the second goal with quarter an hour left.

David Johnson, on the left side, found Brooking who back passed to Coppell.

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1980

(May 24, 1980, Home Championship, Scotland 0-England 2)

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1980

(May 24, 1980, Home Championship, Scotland 0-England 2)

He unleashed a hard shot that Rough parried but Coppell followed up on the rebound.

The score made Northern Ireland the 1980 Home Champions. This was their first title since 1914 and the division. 

The Northern Ireland Manager Billy Bingham had only taken charge of the squad that year from Danny Blanchflower. This win paved the way for this generation Of Northern Ireland to qualify to two World Cups (1982 and 1986).

Home Championship Squads

England:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Raymond Neal Clemence (Liverpool Football Club)

Joseph Thomas Corrigan (Manchester City Football Club)

Defenders:
Phillip George Neal (Liverpool Football Club) 

Kenneth Graham Sansom (Crystal Palace Football Club-London)
Trevor John Cherry  (Leeds United Association Football Club)
Phillip Bernard Thompson (Liverpool Football  Club)
Laurence Valentine Lloyd (Nottingham Forest Football  Club)

David Vernon Watson (Southampton Football Club)

Midfielders/Forwards:

Raymond Colin Wilkins (Manchester United Football Club)
Glenn Hoddle (Tottenham Hotspur Football  Club-London)
Trevor David Brooking (West Ham United Football Club) -London)
Raymond Kennedy (Liverpool Football Club)
Stephen James Coppell (Manchester United Football Club)

Emlyn Walter Hughes (Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club)

Terence Mc Dermott (Liverpool Football Club)
Peter Simon Barnes (West Bromwich Albion Football Club)
Paul Mariner (Ipswich Town Football Club)

David Edward Johnson (Liverpool Football Club)
Kevin Phillip Reeves (Manchester City Football Club)
Alan Ernest Devonshire (West Ham United Football Club-London)

Coach: Ronald Greenwood

Scotland:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

Alan Roderick Rough (Partick Thistle Football Club-Glasgow)

William Thomson (Saint-Mirren Football Club-Paisley)

Defenders:

George Elder Burley (Ipswich Town Football Club / England)

Daniel Fergus McGrain (The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow)

Alexander McLeish (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

David Narey (Dundee United Football Club)

Alexander ‘Iain’ Fordyce Munro (Saint-Mirren Football Club-Paisley)

Paul Anthony Hegarty (Dundee United Football Club)

William Fergus Miller (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Gordon David Strachan (Aberdeen Football Club Limited)

Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish (Liverpool Football Club / England)

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

Graeme James Souness (Liverpool Football Club / England)

Joseph Jordan (Manchester United Football Club / England)

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

Archibald Gemmill  (Birmingham City Football Club / England)

Peter Russell Weir (Saint-Mirren Football Club-Paisley)

David Alexander Provan (The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow)

Andrew Mullen Gray (Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club / England)

Coach: John ‘Jock’ Stein

Northern Ireland:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

James Archibald Platt (Middlesbrough football Club / England)

Defenders:

James Michael Nicholl (Manchester United Football Club / England)

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

Christopher John Nicholl (Southampton Football Club / England)

Malachy Martin Donaghy (Luton Town Football Club / England)

Midfielders / Forwards:

Samuel Baxter McIlroy  (Manchester United Football Club / England)

Thomas Cassidy (Newcastle United Football Club / England)

David McCreery (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London / England) 

Thomas Finney (Cambridge United Football Club / England)

Noel Brotherston (Blackburn Rovers Football Club / England)

William Robert Hamilton (Burnley Football Club / England)

John McClelland (Mansfield Town Football Club / England)

Gerard Joseph Armstrong  (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London / England)

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

Coach: William Laurence Bingham

Wales:

Players who took part in the matches:

Goalkeepers:

William David ‘Dai’ Davies (Wrexham Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League)  

Defenders:
Peter Nicholas (Crystal Palace Football Club-London / England)

Joseph Patrick Jones (Wrexham Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League)  

Paul Terence Price (Luton Town Football Club / England)

Terence Charles Yorath (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London / England)

David Jones (Norwich City Football Club / England) 

Kevin Pontin (Cardiff City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League) 

Carl Stephen Harris (Leeds United Association Football Club / England)

Leighton Phillips (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League)  

Midfielders / Forwards:

Kevin Pontin (Cardiff City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League)  

David Charles Giles (Swansea City Football Club / Wales, registered in  English League)  

Brian Flynn (Leeds United Association Football Club / England)

Ian Patrick Walsh (Crystal Palace Football Club-London / England)

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

Michael Reginald ‘Mickey’ Thomas (Manchester United Football Club / England) 

Ian James Rush (Liverpool Football Club / England)

Coach: Harold Michael England

1980 Home Championship Matches:

May 16, 1980- Belfast-Windsor Park

Attendance: 8,000

Referee:  Clive Thomas (Wales)

Northern Ireland 1-Scotland 0 (Billy Hamilton 37)

Northern Ireland:  James Archibald Platt, James Michael Nicholl, John Patrick O'Neill, Christopher John Nicholl, Malachy Martin Donaghy, Samuel Baxter McIlroy (captain), Thomas Cassidy (David McCreery 70^th), Thomas Finney, Noel Brotherston, William Robert Hamilton (John McClelland 52^nd), Gerard Joseph Armstrong

Scotland:  William Thomson,  George Elder Burley, Daniel Fergus McGrain, Gordon David Strachan, Alexander McLeish, David Narey, Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish, Graeme James Souness (Joseph Jordan 59^th), Steven Archibald, Archibald Gemmill (captain), Peter Russell Weir  (David Alexander Provan 59^th)

Booked: Kenny Dalglish

May 17, 1980- Wrexham - Racecourse Ground

Attendance: 24,386

Referee:  Ian Foote (Scotland)

Wales 4-England 1 (Mickey Thomas 20, Ian Walsh 30- Leighton James 61, Phil Thompson (Own Goal) 67 / Paul Mariner 15)

Wales:  William David ‘Dai’ Davies, Peter Nicholas, Joseph Patrick Jones, Paul Terence Price, Terence Charles Yorath, David Jones (Kevin Pontin 46^th), David Charles Giles, Brian Flynn, Ian Patrick Walsh, Leighton James,  Michael Reginald ‘Mickey’ Thomas  

England:  Raymond Neal Clemence, Phillip George Neal Kenneth Graham Sansom 20^th), Trevor John Cherry , Phillip Bernard Thompson, Laurence Valentine Lloyd  (Raymond Colin Wilkins 80^th), Glenn Hoddle, Trevor David Brooking, Raymond Kennedy, Stephen James Coppell, Peter Simon Barnes, Paul Mariner

Booked: Larry Lloyd

May 20, 1980- London - Wembley

Attendance: 33,676

Referee:  Gwyn Pierce Owen (Wales)

England 1-Northern Ireland 1 (David Johnson 80 / Terry Cochrane 81)

England:  Joseph Thomas Corrigan, Trevor John Cherry, Kenneth Graham Sansom, David Vernon Watson, Emlyn Walter Hughes (Captain), Trevor David Brooking, Terence Mc Dermott, Raymond Colin Wilkins, David Edward Johnson, Kevin Phillip Reeves  (Paul Mariner 70^th), Alan Ernest Devonshire

Northern Ireland: James Archibald Platt, James Michael Nicholl, John Patrick O'Neill, Christopher John Nicholl, Malachy Martin Donaghy, Samuel Baxter McIlroy, Thomas Cassidy (David McCreery 73^rd), Thomas Finney, Noel Brotherston, William Robert Hamilton (George ‘Terence’ Cochrane  73^rd), Gerard Joseph Armstrong

May 21, 1980- Glasgow -Hampden Park

Attendance: 31,359

Referee:  Hugh Wilson (Northern Ireland)

Scotland 1-Wales 0 (Willie Miller 26)

Scotland:  1-Alan Roderick Rough, 3-Daniel Fergus McGrain, 21-Alexander ‘Iain’ Fordyce Munro, 4-Paul Anthony Hegarty, 5-Alexander McLeish, 13-William Fergus Miller, 18-Gordon David  Strachan, 10-Archibald Gemmill (captain), 7-Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish, 11-Joseph Jordan, 14-Peter Russell Weir (19-Robert Sime ‘Roy’ Aitken 85^th)

Booked: Iain Muro, Paul Hegarty

Wales: 1-William David ‘Dai’ Davies, 4-Peter Nicholas, 13-Kevin Pontin (6-Leighton Phillips 46^th), 2-Paul Terence Price, 3-Joseph Patrick Jones, 7-Brian Flynn, 8-Terence Charles Yorath, 10-David Charles Giles,  11-Michael Reginald ‘Mickey’ Thomas, 9-Ian Patrick Walsh  (15-Ian James Rush 15^th), 14-Leighton James

May 23, 1980- Cardiff –Ninian Park

Attendance: 31,359

Referee:  J.Hunter (England)

Wales 0-Northern Ireland 1 (Noel Brotherston 23)

Wales:  William David ‘Dai’ Davies, Joseph Patrick Jones,  Paul Terence Price, Leighton Phillips, Brian Flynn (Carl Stephen Harris  ), Peter Nicholas, Terence Charles Yorath (captain), Michael Reginald ‘Mickey’ Thomas, David Charles Giles,  Leighton James, Ian James Rush  

Northern Ireland : James Archibald Platt, James Michael Nicholl, Christopher John Nicholl, John Patrick O'Neill, Malachy Martin Donaghy, William Robert Hamilton (George ‘Terence’ Cochrane 56^th), Samuel Baxter McIlroy, Thomas Cassidy (David McCreery 62^nd), Noel Brotherston, Thomas Finney, Gerard Joseph Armstrong

May 24, 1980- Glasgow -Hampden Park    

Attendance: 85,500

Referee:  Antonio da Silva Garrido (Portugal)

Scotland 0-England 2 (Trevor Brooking 8, Steve Coppell 75)

Scotland:  1- Alan Roderick Rough, 2- Daniel Fergus McGrain, 3- Alexander ‘Iain’ Fordyce Munro (George Elder Burley 62^nd), 4-Paul Anthony Hegarty, 5-Alexander McLeish, 6-William Fergus Miller, 7-Gordon David Strachan, 8- Robert Sime ‘Roy’ Aitken (Andrew Mullen Gray 53^rd), 9- Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish, 10-Joseph Jordan,  11- Archibald Gemmill (captain)

England: 1- Raymond Neal Clemence, 2- Trevor John Cherry, 3- Kenneth Graham Sansom, 4- Phillip Bernard Thompson (captain),  5- David Vernon  Watson, 6- Raymond Colin Wilkins, 7- Stephen James Coppell, 11- Trevor David Brooking, 8- Terence Mc Dermott, 9- David Edward Johnson, 10- Paul Mariner (Emlyn Walter Hughes 71^st)

Final table               P     W   D   L  GF  GA  GD     Pts

1- Northern Ireland  3     2    1            0    3     1    +2       5

2- England                       3     1    1     1    4     5    -1       3

3- Wales                  3     1    0     2    4     3    +1       2

4- Scotland             3     1    0     2    1     3    –2        2

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