The decision to end the competition in its 100th year was blamed largely on low attendance figures, football hooliganism and England and Scotland's desire to play other opponents.
[3][4] Northern Ireland won the last tournament, held in the 1983–84 season, on goal difference as all four sides finished on equal points.
They came close to qualifying for both the 1982 FIFA World Cup, losing out on goal difference to Czechoslovakia,[6] and the 1984 European Championships.
In the latter, a late goal for Yugoslavia in their final match against Bulgaria saw them overtake Wales to win the qualifying group.
[9][10] A similar defeat against Romania in 1993 resulted in Wales failing to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.