The British Home International competition had been a feature of the football calendar since 1883-84 season. This consisted of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In 1973 because of the civil unrest from the Northern Ireland conflict, Northern Ireland were ordered to play what would be their ‘home’ games at Goodison Park, the home of Everton.
On the 12 May 1973 Northern Ireland faced England with the ‘visitors’ claiming a 2-1 victory. Former Everton player Tommy Jackson starred in the Irish line up that day. Tottenham’s Martin Chivers gave England the lead, then a penalty from Dave Clements, who would join Everton four months later, equalised from the spot. Bryan Hamilton, who went on to play for Everton, was also in the starting line-up.
Martin Chivers found the net eight minutes from time to seal victory for Alf Ramsey’s men in front of 29,865 spectators.
A week later, Northern Ireland ended the Championships with their second and last game at Goodison, against Wales. Bryan Hamilton hit the winner on fourteen minutes, in front of a disappointing 4,946 spectators.
