1955–56 British Home Championship

The 1955–56 British Home Championship was a football tournament played during the 1955–56 season between the British Home Nations. It was the only occasion during the hundred-year run of the Home Championship in which all four teams finished level on points. As goal difference was not used to determine position until 1979, all four teams shared the trophy, holding it for three months each. Had goal difference or goal average been used to determine the winner, then England would have won.

1955–56 British Home Championship
Supporter with a leek at the Wales–England game, Cardiff, 22 October 1955.
Tournament details
Host countryEngland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Dates8 October 1955 – 14 April 1956
Teams4
Final positions
Champions England
 Ireland
 Scotland
 Wales
Tournament statistics
Matches played6
Goals scored15 (2.5 per match)
Top scorer(s)England Dennis Wilshaw
Scotland Bobby Johnstone (2 each)

The competition began unusually with victories by Wales and Ireland over England and Scotland in their opening matches. This gave added incentive to the favourites in the following matches, which England and Scotland both won easily. Nevertheless, all four teams stood a good chance of victory going into the final round, with both Wales and Ireland seeking a rare undisputed tournament success. However, the teams cancelled each other out, both matches resulting in 1–1 draws leaving all four equal on points and thus sharing the trophy.

Table

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  England (C) 3 1 1 1 5 3 +2 3
  Scotland (C) 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 3
  Wales (C) 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 3
  Ireland (C) 3 1 1 1 3 5 −2 3
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) Co-champions

Results

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England  3 – 0  Ireland
Dennis Wilshaw 2, Tom Finney  

Scotland  2 – 0  Wales
Bobby Johnstone 2  

Wales  1 – 1  Ireland
Roy Clarke Jimmy Jones

Scotland  1 – 1  England
Graham Leggat (60) Johnny Haynes (90)
Attendance: 132,779

References

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  1. ^ Special For Scotland - Scotland V Wales, video footage from official Pathé News archive
  2. ^ Poverty Of Forward Play in Hampden International, The Glasgow Herald, 16 April 1956, scan via London Hearts Supporters Club
  • Guy Oliver (1992). The Guinness Record of World Soccer. Guinness. ISBN 0-85112-954-4.