Wales began the 1970s in a more positive fashion, sharing the 1969–70 British Home Championship with England and Scotland. Wales had drawn with both before defeating Northern Ireland. The success was the final time Wales were victorious in the competition. The title was the twelfth time it had won the competition and the fifth time it had shared the title. The team's victory raised hopes of qualifying for the 1972 European Championships. Wales were drawn in a group alongside Czechoslovakia, Romania and Finland. The campaign began with a goalless draw against Romania before a 3–1 defeat to Czechoslovakia, having led 1–0 with 12 minutes remaining. Wales recovered with home and away victories over Finland but lost their remaining games to finish third, failing to qualify. In Wales' home victory over Finland, Trevor Hockey became the first player to represent the nation under a new parentage rule allowing players to represent countries other than their own birth nations. His father had been born in Abertillery, thus qualifying him for Wales under the new ruling.
