1981–82 British Home Championship

September 2020 October 2023 British Home Championship 1981–82 23 February – 29 May 1982 4 ENG SCO 53 6 12 12 players (1 each) 1980–81 1982–83 The 1981–82 British Home Championship between the British Home Nations was won by a dominant England football team which won all three of its matches as the tournament returned after being abandoned in 1981 due to civil disturbances in Northern Ireland. The championship was eagerly awaited because for the first time since 1958, three of the Home Nations were featuring in a World Cup; the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and this was a chance to see them in competitive action before the World Cup began. The end-of-season format that had been used throughout the 1970s was dropped as it was felt three games in eight days was too intense at the end of a season and prior to a World Cup. The English began with a heavy victory over Northern Ireland at home, followed by victory away in Wales. The Scots could only manage a draw with the disappointing Irish by contrast although they did beat Wales. The Welsh managed to salvage a result in their third game with a 3–0 defeat of Northern Ireland to claim third place. In the final deciding match in Glasgow, England edged victory through a Paul Mariner goal and thus claimed the championship. In the World Cup, Scotland were eliminated in the first round whilst England went out in the second round without losing a game. The unfancied Irish however provided a shock by beating hosts Spain and eliminating Yugoslavia in the first round before falling victim to the inspired French in round two. Table main WDL n 2 ENG England SCO Scotland WAL Wales NIR Northern Ireland 3 0 0 6 0 C 1 1 1 2 2 1 0 2 3 2 0 1 2 1 8 #ccffcc C complete 1) points 2) goal difference. The points system worked as follows: 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. Results 23 February 1982 England 4–0 Northern Ireland Robson 1 Keegan 56 Wilkins 85 Hoddle 89 Gwyn Owen (Wales) Wembley Stadium, London 27 April 1982 Wales 0–1 England Francis 74 Thomas Donnelly (Northern Ireland) Ninian Park, Cardiff 28 April 1982 Northern Ireland 1–1 Scotland McIlroy 52 Wark 32 John Hunting (England) Windsor Park, Belfast 24 May 1982 Scotland 1–0 Wales Hartford 7 Fred McKnight (Northern Ireland) Hampden Park, Glasgow 27 May 1982 Wales 3–0 Northern Ireland Curtis 18 Rush 64 Nicholas 75 George Smith (Scotland) Racecourse Ground, Wrexham 29 May 1982 Scotland 0–1 England Mariner 13 Jan Redelfs (West Germany) Hampden Park, Glasgow References Guy Oliver The Guinness Record of World Soccer 1992 Guinness 0-85112-954-4 External links Full Results and Line-ups 1981–82 Home Championship Category:1981–82 in European men's international football Category:1981–82 in Scottish football Category:1981–82 in Welsh football Category:1981–82 in Northern Ireland association football