1888-89

no.datescorescorers (wales)venue 
3123/02/1889England 4-1 WalesW OwenVictoria Ground, StokeBC
 02/03/1889England 6-1 Ireland Anfield, LiverpoolBC
 9/03/1889Scotland 7-0 Ireland Ibrox Park, GlasgowBC
 13/04/1889England 2-3 Scotland Kennington Oval, LondonBC
3215/04/1889Wales 0-0 Scotland Racecourse Ground, WrexhamBC
3327/04/1889Ireland 1-3 WalesJarett (3)Ballynafeigh Park, BelfastBC


  PWDLFAPts
1.Scotland32101025
2.England32011254
3.Wales3111453
4.Ireland30032160

Story of the tournament

The 1888–89 British Home Championship started poorly for Wales as they suffered their fifth defeat in six matches against England.

Scotland arrived at the Racecourse needing a point to secure their fifth title in six years having previously defeated defeated Ireland and England but Wales had the worst possible preparation as Preston North End refused to release regular goalkeeper, Jim Trainer, for the match.

Kick-off was delayed while a replacement was sought from the crowd and the match eventually got underway with Alf Pugh of Rhostyllen Victoria in goal. Wrexham keeper, Sam Gillam, arrived twenty minutes into the match to take over thus becoming gthe first ever substitution in international football history.

.

Neither keeper conceded a goal and the match ended 0–0; the first time in 14 matches between the countries that the Scots had failed to defeat Wales.

In Wales final match against Ireland, Richard Jarrett of Ruthin scored three goals on his debut, becoming only the fourth Welshman to score a hat-trick.