1898–99 British Home Championship

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.

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 (9th title)
Runners-up	Scotland
Tournament statistics
Matches played	6
Goals scored	39 (6.5 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Bob McColl (6 goals)
← 1897–98 1899–1900 →

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

Source: ^[2][3]
Rules for classification: 1) points. The points system worked as follows: 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
(C) Champions

Results

18 February 1899

England	13–2	Ireland
Smith 39', 59', 60', 63' Settle 53', 55', 80' Bloomer 40', 89' Forman 20', 52' F. Forman 15' Athersmith 25'	(Match summary)	McAllen 65' (pen.) Campbell 88'

Roker Park, Sunderland

---

4 March 1899

Ireland	1–0	Wales
Meldon 60'

Grosvenor Park, Belfast

---

18 March 1899

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

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham

Attendance: 12,000

Referee: Charles E. Sutcliffe (England)

---

20 March 1899

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

Ashton Gate, Bristol

---

25 March 1899

Scotland	9–1	Ireland
McColl 5', 25', 47' Christie 10' Hamilton 20', 65' Bell 35' Berry 70' Campbell 80'		Goodall 54'

Celtic Park, Glasgow

Attendance: 12,000

Referee: Charles E. Sutcliffe (England)

---

8 April 1899

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

Villa Park, Birmingham

Attendance: 25,590

Referee: James Torrans (Ireland)

Winning squad

•  England

Name	Apps/Goals by opponent			Total
	WAL[4]	IRE[5]	SCO[6]	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