1965–66 British Home Championship

The 1965–66 British Home Championship was a cause of great excitement as it supplied spectators and commentators a view of England prior to their contesting the 1966 FIFA World Cup on home soil at which they were one of the favourites. None of the other Home Nations had qualified for the World Cup and so were determined to spoil England's preparation, leading to some very dramatic and heavily contested matches, particularly England's final game in Glasgow.

The England team began with a subdued goalless draw with the Welsh side whilst Ireland beat Scotland 3–2 in a close fought game at home. Both England and Scotland improved in their second games, England beating a tough Irish side at home 2–1, whilst the Scots put four goals past the struggling Welsh. Wales suffered further in their final match of the series, losing 1–4 at home to the Irish, who claimed a surprise second place in the tournament. England and Scotland then played a thrilling game in Glasgow, which England finally won 4–3 to take the title of British Champions, a title they would add to at the World Cup three months later.

Table

Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
 England 5321064+2
 Ireland 4320185+3
 Scotland 2310298+1
 Wales 13012286

The points system worked as follows:

  • 2 points for a win
  • 1 point for a draw

Results

Ireland  3 – 2  Scotland
Dougan  42'
Crossan  60'
Irvine  89'
Gilzean  17', 81'
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: England Jack Taylor

Wales  0 – 0  England
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Scotland Archibald Webster

Scotland  4 – 1  Wales
Murdoch  1', 22'
Henderson  15'
Greig  86'
Allchurch  14'
Attendance: 49,888
Referee: England Jim Finney

England  2 – 1  Ireland
Baker  19'
Peacock  73'
Irvine  21'
Attendance: 70,000
Referee: Wales Leo Callaghan

Wales  1 – 4  Ireland
Davies  74' Irvine  2'
Wilson  42'
Welsh  53'
Harvey  55'
Attendance: 12,860
Referee: England Jim Finney

Scotland  3 – 4  England
Law  41'
Johnstone  62', 81'
Hurst  18'
Hunt  34', 47'
Charlton  73'
Attendance: 123,052
Referee: France Henri Faucheux

References

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