The 1896–97 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations. It was won by Scotland after a late goal at The Crystal Palace which beat England to the trophy despite England's dominance of the competition up to that point. Ireland came third despite conceding 14 goals and Wales finished last having picked up only one point.
England began the tournament the strongest, scoring six without reply against the Irish in Belfast with Fred Wheldon claiming a hat-trick. Ireland recovered in the second match however, a high-scoring affair against Wales in which the Irish just claimed a 4–3 victory. Wales too improved in their second match, forcing a draw from Scotland in Wrexham, before Scotland too improved, beating Ireland 5–1 at home to temporarily take the top of the table. England surpassed them in the penultimate match, winning 4–0 over Wales and needing only a draw in the final game at home against Scotland to win the tournament. Scotland however were more than a match for the English and scored late to claim their 2–1 victory and win the trophy.
Table
Results
References
Winning squad
NameApps/Goals by opponentTotal WALSat 20 Mar 1897 Wales 2 Scotland 2, London Hearts Supporters Club IRESat 27 Mar 1897 Scotland 5 Ireland 1, London Hearts Supporters Club ENGSat 03 Apr 1897 England 1 Scotland 2, London Hearts Supporters Club Apps GoalsNeilly Gibson1/1121William Lambie1120John Patrick1120John McPherson1/212Tommy Hyslop1/111Jimmy Millar1/111John Ritchie1/111John Walker1/111Alex King1/111Bob McColl1/111George Allan110Jack Bell110Jimmy Cowan110Dan Doyle110Nicol Smith110Hughie Wilson110Bernard Breslin110Dave Gardner110Sandy Keillor110Jack Kennedy110James McMillan110Pat Murray110Jimmy Oswald110Davie Russell110William Baird110Matthew Dickie110Jock Drummond110Tommy Low110Duncan McLean110David Stewart110
References