The1983–84 British Home Championship was the 100th anniversary of and the last staged of theBritish Home Championship international annualfootball tournament between the BritishHome Nations. Both England and Scotland had announced their withdrawal from future competition, citing waning interest in the games, crowded international fixture lists and a sharp rise inhooliganism. Thefootball competition was instituted in 1884, but this edition was the 87th tournament to be staged due to a five-year hiatus duringWorld War I, a seven-year gap inWorld War II and the cancellation of the1981 competition following threats of violence duringThe Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Mural inBelfast celebrating the three outright wins of the British Home Championship byIreland andNorthern Ireland, including in 1984.
The tournament was surprising in its outcome, as the favourites in England and Scotland played each other into a 1–1 draw in the final game, thus allowing Northern Ireland to claim victory on goal difference, with Wales second. This was only the third time in 87 tournaments that (Northern) Ireland were undisputed champions, and the only time goal difference was used to determine a champion. It also marked the first time since 1928 that neither Scotland nor England placed in the top two. The trophy was permanently awarded to theIrish FA.[1]
Source:[citation needed] Rules for classification: 1) points 2)goal difference. The points system worked as follows: 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. (C) Champions