1898–99 British Home Championship

1898–99 British Home Championship
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)
	← 1897–98 1899–1900 →

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.

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	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
England (C)	3	3	0	19	3	+16	6
Scotland	3	2	1	16	3	+13	4
Ireland	3	1	2	4	22	−18	2
Wales	3	0	3	0	11	−11	0

Source:^{[citation needed]}
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[]

18 February 1899

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.) 88'

Roker Park, Sunderland

4 March 1899

Ireland	1 – 0	Wales
60' Philip Meldon

Grosvenor Park, Belfast

18 March 1899

Wales	0 – 6	Scotland
		22', 55' John Campbell 50', 75', 85' Bob McColl 70' Henry Marshall

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham

Attendance: 12,000

Referee: Charles E. Sutcliffe (England)

20 March 1899

England	4 – 0	Wales
44', 86' Steve Bloomer 60' Fred Forman 30' Ernest Needham

Ashton Gate, Bristol

25 March 1899

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

Celtic Park, Glasgow

Attendance: 12,000

Referee: Charles E. Sutcliffe (England)

8 April 1899

England	2 – 1	Scotland
Gilbert Smith 25' Jimmy Settle 40'		52' RC Hamilton

Villa Park, Birmingham

Attendance: 25,590

Referee: James Torrans (Ireland)

Winning squad[]

England

Name	Apps/Goals by opponent			Total
Name	WAL^[2]	IRE^[3]	SCO^[4]	Apps	Goals
Gilbert Smith	1	1/4	1/1	3	5
Steve Bloomer	1/2	1/2	1	3	4
Jimmy Settle	1	1/3	1/1	3	4
Fred Forman	1/1	1/2	1	3	3
Charlie Athersmith	1	1/1	1	3	1
Frank Forman	1	1/1	1	3	1
Ernest Needham	1/1	1	1	3	1
Jimmy Crabtree	1	1	1	3	0
Jack Robinson	1		1	2	0
Harry Thickitt	1		1	2	0
Billy Williams	1	1		2	0
Raby Howell			1	1	0
Philip Bach		1		1	0
Jack Hillman		1		1	0

References[]

Guy Oliver (1992). The Guinness Record of World Soccer. Guinness. ISBN 0-85112-954-4.

^ "England v Ireland". EU Football.Info.
^ Monday, 20 March 1899 | England 4 Wales 0, England Football Online
^ Saturday, 18 February 1899 | England 13 Ireland 2, England Football Online
^ Saturday, 8 April 1899 | England 2 Scotland 1, England Football Online

[EU_Football-1] "England v Ireland". EU Football.Info.

[2] Monday, 20 March 1899 | England 4 Wales 0, England Football Online

[3] Saturday, 18 February 1899 | England 13 Ireland 2, England Football Online

[4] Saturday, 8 April 1899 | England 2 Scotland 1, England Football Online

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

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