1980–81 British Home Championship

September 2020 1980–81 British Home Championship 16–23 May 1981 4 Unfinished 4 5 WAL Ian Walsh (2) 1979–80 1981–82 The 1980–81 British Home Championship was the only British Home Nations international football championship, other than the years of the First World War and Second World War, which was not completed and thus failed to produce a winner. As with the rugby union 1972 Five Nations Championship the cause of this cancellation was The Troubles in Northern Ireland. The championship was scheduled to be played in May 1981 after the end of the domestic season. On 5 May, however, the Provisional Irish Republican Army hunger strike leader Bobby Sands died in the Maze Prison, invoking a storm of protest and violence by republicans in Northern Ireland. Thus the English and Welsh FAs, whose teams were scheduled to travel to Windsor Park later in the month, declined to play, rendering the tournament incomplete and void.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52759205 Scotland beat England but Home Championships voided in 1981 Jordan Elgott BBC Sport BBC 23 May 2020 23 May 2020 Scotland were the only team to complete all their matches, including defeating Northern Ireland in Glasgow, and were in a strong position, having also beaten England. Wales had beaten Scotland and played a tame draw with England and so too would have claimed victory with a win or draw in Belfast. England had lost one and drawn one and were not in a challenging position, whilst Northern Ireland lost their only game. Five months later, in October 1981, Scotland were able to play a qualifying match for the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Northern Ireland without significant difficulties.October 2023 Table main WDL n 2 SCO Scotland WAL Wales ENG England NIR Northern Ireland 2 0 1 3 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 complete 1) points 2) goal difference. The points system worked as follows: 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. Results 16 May 1981 Wales 2–0 Scotland Report (page 14) Walsh 17 20 Thomas Donnelly (Northern Ireland) Vetch Field, Swansea 19 May 1981 Scotland 2–0 Northern Ireland Report (page 22) Stewart 5 Archibald 49 Pat Partridge (England) Hampden Park, Glasgow 20 May 1981 England 0–0 Wales Report (page 18) Brian McGinlay (Scotland) Wembley Stadium, London 23 May 1981 England 0–1 Scotland Report Robertson 64 pen. Robert Wurtz (France) Wembley Stadium, London References Books Guy Oliver The Guinness Record of World Soccer 1992 Guinness 0-85112-954-4 External links Full Results and Line-ups 1980–81 Home Championship Category:1980–81 in European men's international football Category:The Troubles (Northern Ireland) Category:May 1981 sports events in the United Kingdom Category:1980–81 in Scottish football Category:1980–81 in Welsh football Category:1980–81 in Northern Ireland association football