Today I'm going back 38 years to 1984 and England's visit to Hampden Park for the annual fixture against Scotland played in front of a full house numbering 73,064. This was my first ever visit to Hampden and also proved to be the last ever fixture between the two nations under the guise of the Home International (or British) Championship.
Scotland, managed by Jock Stein, fielded no less than five players from Aberdeen in goal keeper Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish, Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan and Mark McGhee. Only Davie Cooper represented Rangers and there were no Celtic players at all in Scotland's starting line-up although Paul McStay did come on as a second half substitute. The only English-based players on show for Scotland were Liverpool's John Wark, Arthur Albiston of Manchester United and Steve Archibald from Tottenham. Coming on as a second half substitute was Maurice "Mo" Johnson who was a Watford player at this time but would go on to become a controversial player in Scottish football by crossing the great divide between Celtic and Rangers.
England, managed by Bobby Robson fielded a team of English-based players with one exception: AC Milan's Luther Blissett who lined up alongside former Watford compatriate and fellow Jamaican-born player John Barnes. England's substitutes were also notable for the fact that both were making their debuts, the 29th and 30th players to make their England debuts from the bench. Leicester City's Gary Winston Lineker, coming on as a 73rd minute substitute for Tony Woodcock would go on to make his mark on the world stage for England becoming the World Cup Golden Boot in 1986 and scored 48 times in all for England before his retirement. England's other debutante substitute that day? West Bromwich Albion's Steve Hunt winning one of only two caps, both from the bench. Hunt, Aston Villa born and bred played for Villa and Coventry City as well as the Baggies but is perhaps most famous for taking a starring role for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1977, 1978 and 1982 and making the NASL all-star team in two of those years.
Scotland took an early lead against England after 12 minutes through Mark McGhee due to some slack marking by England and an excellent through ball by McGhee's club colleague Gordon Strachan. England's reply came in the 36th minute and was scored by Tony Woodcock who made a direct run to the edge of the penalty area before letting fly with a shot that Leighton got nowhere near. There was to be no further scoring in the match but Shilton was clearly the busier of the two keepers and did well to ensure that England returned home undefeated.
For the record, as this was the last ever Home International between the sides, England finished on top with 40 victories to Scotland's 39 with 23 draws including this one. England scored 185 goals compared to 166 by Scotland. The final version of the British Championship finished in a four way tie on points between the four home nations but Northern Ireland were declared winners thanks to their positive goal difference. It was only Northern Ireland's eighth Championship in 100 years but they remain as holders to this day and may well continue to do so for evermore.
CRB Match No. 315
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