Unreliable History |
There is a rumour that the first recorded instance of a football-like game being played was in the times of the Romans, when Julius Caesar kicked a skull over the River Brent, but it took another 1800 years before a club was properly formed in the area. Several grounds found Brentford playing on them after they were founded in 1889. They played behind a Wesleyan chapel close to their current home, in the field owned by Mr. Benn (Benns Field), Shotters Field and Boston Park (where visitors certainly found it was no tea party) before settling into Griffin Park in 1904.The early days saw the fledgling club collect a host of local honours, but it was in 1929 as a member of the 3rd Division that they first made an impact. That season they became the only team ever to win all their home fixtures. This was a marvellous achievement and may have had something to do with a misprint in the League’s list of games, that had the West London side down as Brentwood, a sleepy hollow in Essex not noted for it’s prowess at Association Football. The next few years found Brentford climbing up the divisions, before reaching the top, where they spent 12 years in the old First Division. After they were relegated, they never really recovered the glory of these heady days. Things got so bad, that during the 1960’s, financial problems produced an audacious bid from QPR to take over the Bees along with Griffin Park. The Brentford fans were stung into action and swarmed in support of the club, telling their local rivals to mind their P’s and Q’s (I won’t relate what they were told to do with their R’s).
Apart from a couple of play-off appearances, there has been precious little to cheer about, unless you include an unsuccessful visit to Wembley in the Freight Rover trophy. In other terms, there was excitement when, during a home game with Millwall, a fan trying to instil some Dunkirk spirit in the match, lobbed a hand grenade onto the field. Unfortunately, this attempt to liven up proceedings was, much like the team, a dud. Having had success in escaping Division 3 with David Webb in charge, things started to turn sour, with the sale of the better players and a current battle to avoid a return to the bottom division. Taken over by former Crystal Palace owner Ron Noades, Brentford have got up into Division Two and established a top half position there. His adoption of the managerial reins was also a revelation, as his buying and selling has been very astute. He has plans to move to a bigger ground to improve the club’s image and popularity. Living in the shadow of bigger West London clubs makes Brentford appear the poor relations, but with a little bit of luck and a little bit of money, there could be honey again for tea. Unfortunately for the West London side, the money has not been there during the 2000-2001 season and manager Ray Lewington is on his way to Watford, leaving them to find their way again next season. A place in the LDV Vans Trophy could not hide the fact that they struggled for consistency throughout the campaign. While the club moved between the second and third tiers of English football for a few years, it was only in 2011 when Matthew Benham (a professional gambler) bought the club and introduced a new ethos at Brentford, which was based on buying young players and selling high to replace them with cheaper players. Did it work ? You bet ! With Managers Mark Warburton, Dean Smith and Thomas Frank successively building on the foundations laid by the club’s investor, the returns were starting to be claimed. Only the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 perhaps halted their rise to the top flight and the jackpot of riches that comes with it, as Brentford were looking odds-on to go up automatically, but some poor performances after the restart put them in the play-off, which they lost to Fulham. It delayed their promotion for a year and a place in the Premier League was attained successfully via the play-offs this time, the same season they left their home of 106 years to move from Griffin Park to the new identikit GTech Community stadium. Manager Thomas Frank, much loved by the TV pundits, developed a style with the players brought in through the club’s recruitment to keep them up and even managed a 9th place finish in 2022-2023.
FAMOUS PLAYERS :- Ron Greenwood, Tony Summer, Rod Stewart (apprentice), Dai Hopkins, Ken Coote, Terry Hurlock, Jack Holliday. FAMOUS FANS : – Dean Gaffney (Actor “Robbie” in EastEnders), Sarah Cracknell (Singer – St. Etienne), Kenny Lynch (Comic Actor); Bradley Walsh (TV Quiz show “The Chase” presenter); Billy Reeves (BBC Radio London presenter; Musician – theaudience, The Helicopter of the Holy Ghost; commentator for Brentford FC website); Adam Devlin (Musician – The Bluetones); Richard Archer (Musician/Producer – Hard-Fi). |
Club Records |
. | |
Formed | 10th October 1889 |
. | |
Turned Professional | 1899 |
. | |
Became a Limited Company | 1901 |
. | |
Former names | – |
. | |
Previous grounds | 1889-1891 = Clifden Road 1891-1895 = Benn’s Field, Little Ealing 1895-1898 = Shotter’s Field 1898-1900 = Cross Road, South Ealing 1900-1904 = Boston Park 1904-2020 = Griffin Park |
. | |
Nickname | “The BEES” |
. | |
Club Colours
(with thanks to the wonderful Colours of Football website for the kit images) |
HOME : ![]() AWAY : ![]() ![]() |
. | |
Record Football League Win | 9-0 v Wrexham Division 3 15.10.1963 |
. | |
Record Football League Defeat | 0-7 v Swansea Town Division 3 (South) 8.11.1924 0-7 v Walsall Division 3 (South) 19.1.1957 0-7 v Peterborough United League Two 24.11.2007 |
. | |
Record Cup Win | 8-0 v Uxbridge FAC 3QR 31.10.1903 |
. | |
Record Cup Defeat | 1-7 v Manchester United FAC R3 14.1.1928 |
. | |
Record Fee Paid | £10,000,000 (conditional) (reported) to Peterborough United for Ivan TONEY (1st September 2020) |
. | |
Record Fee Received | £28,000,000 from Aston Villa for Ollie WATKINS (9th September 2020) |
. | |
Record Football League Appearances | 514 – Ken COOTE (1949-1963) |
. | |
Record Appearances | 559 – Ken COOTE (1949-1963) |
. | |
Record goal-scorer in a season | 38 – Jack HOLLIDAY Division 3 (South) 1932-1933 |
. | |
Record all-time League goal-scorer | 153 – Jim TOWERS (1954-1961) |
. | |
Record all-time goal-scorer | 163 – Jim TOWERS (1954-1961) |
. | |
Most goals in a match | 5 – Jack HOLLIDAY v Luton Town Division 3 (South) 28.1.1933 5 – Billy SCOTT v Barnsley Division 2 15.12.1934 5 – Peter McKENNAN v Bury Division 2 18.02.1949 |
. | |
Record Attendance (Griffin Park) | 38,678 v Leicester City FAC R6 26.02.1949 |
. | |
Record Attendance (G-Tech Community Stadium) | 17,163 v Liverpool Premier League 02.01.2023 |
. | |
Record total of goals in a League season | 98 Division 4 1962-1963 |
. | |
Record total of goals in a season | 107 Division 3 1982-1983 |
. | |
Record League points total | 3 points for a win : 94 League One 2013-2014 2 points for a win : 62 Division 3 (South) 1932-1933 and Division 4 1962-63 |
. | |
Most Capped player while at club | 21 – Henrik DALSGAARD (Denmark) |
. | |
Youngest player | Danis SALMAN – 15 years and 243 days v Watford 15.11.1975 |
. | |
Oldest player | Jimmy HODSON – 40 years and 212 days v Plymouth Argyle 07.05.1921 |
. |
Stadium details |
Address : G-Tech Community Stadium, 166 Lionel Road North, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0RU
Capacity : 17,250
Pitch size : 105m x 68m
Official website : www.brentfordfc.co.uk
Honours |
. | |
Division Two Champions (Second tier) | 1934-35 |
. | |
Division Three Champions (Third tier) | 1991-92, 1998-99 |
. | |
Second Division Runners-up (Third tier) | 1994-95 |
. | |
League One Runners-up (Third tier) | 2013-14 |
. | |
Division Three (South) Champions (Third tier) | 1932-33 |
. | |
Division Three (South) Runners-up (Third tier) | 1929-30, 1957-58 |
. | |
Division Four Champions (Fourth tier) | 1962-63 |
. | |
Third Division Runners-up (Fourth tier) | 1998-99 |
. | |
League Two Runners-up (Fourth tier) | 2008-09 |
. | |
Freight Rover Trophy Finalists | 1985 |
. | |
LDV Vans Trophy Finalists | 2001 |
. |
Managers |
. | |
Will LEWIS | August 1900 – May 1903 |
. | |
Dick MOLYNEUX | August 1903 – March 1904 |
. | |
Will LEWIS | March 1904 – April 1904 |
. | |
Dick MOLYNEUX | April 1904 – January 1906 |
. | |
Bob CRONE (caretaker) | January 1906 – February 1906 |
. | |
W G BROWN | February 1906 – January 1908 |
. | |
George PARSONAGE (caretaker) | January 1908 – May 1908 |
. | |
Fred HALLIDAY | 24 June 1908 – 13 November 1912 |
. | |
Ephraim RHODES | 14 November 1912 – August 1915 |
. | |
Fred HALLIDAY | August 1915 – August 1921 |
. | |
Archie MITCHELL | August 1921 – 2 December 1924 |
. | |
Fred HALLIDAY | 3 December 1924 – May 1926 |
. | |
Harry CURTIS | May 1926 – February 1949 |
. | |
Jackie GIBBONS | February 1949 – August 1952 |
. | |
Jimmy BAIN | August 1952 – January 1953 |
. | |
Tommy LAWTON | January 1953 – September 1953 |
. | |
Fred MONK | September 1953 – October 1953 |
. | |
Bill DODGIN Snr | October 1953- May 1957 |
. | |
Malky MACDONALD | May 1957 – January 1965 |
. | |
Tommy CAVANAGH | January 1965 – 18 April 1966 |
. | |
Ian BLACK (caretaker) | 18 April 1966 – 2 May 1966 |
. | |
Billy GRAY | 2 May 1966 – March 1967 |
. | |
Jimmy SIRREL | March 1967 – 10 November 1969 |
. | |
Ron FENTON (caretaker) | 10 November 1969 – December 1969 |
. | |
Frank BLUNSTONE | December 1969 – 16 August 1973 |
. | |
Mike EVERITT | 16 August 1973 – 15 January 1975 |
. | |
Jess WILLARD (caretaker) | 15 January 1975 – 20 January 1975 |
. | |
John DOCHERTY | 20 January 1975 – 7 September 1976 |
. | |
Eddie LYONS (caretaker) | 7 September 1976 – 16 September 1976 |
. | |
Bill DODGIN Jnr | 16 September 1976 – March 1980 |
. | |
Fred CALLAGHAN | March 1980 – 2 February 1984 |
. | |
Frank BLUNSTONE (caretaker) | 2 February 1984 – 9 February 1984 |
. | |
Frank McLINTOCK | 9 February 1984 – 24 January 1987 |
. | |
Steve PERRYMAN | 25 January 1987 – 15 August 1990 |
. | |
Phil HOLDER | 24 August 1990 – 11 May 1993 |
. | |
David WEBB | 17 May 1993 – 4 August 1997 |
. | |
Kevin LOCK (caretaker) | 5 August 1997 – 12 August 1997 |
. | |
Eddie MAY | 12 August 1997- 5 November 1997 |
. | |
Micky ADAMS | 5 November 1997 – 1 July 1998 |
. | |
Ron NOADES | 1 July 1998 – 20 November 2000 |
. | |
Ray LEWINGTON | 20 November 2000 – 7 May 2001 |
. | |
Steve COPPELL | 8 May 2001 – 5 June 2002 |
. | |
Wally DOWNES | 28 June 2002 – 14 March 2004 |
. | |
Garry THOMPSON (caretaker) | 14 March 2004 – 18 March 2004 |
. | |
Martin ALLEN | 18 March 2004 – 31 May 2006 |
. | |
Leroy ROSENIOR | 14 June 2006 – 18 November 2006 |
. | |
Scott FITZGERALD | 18 November 2006 – 10 April 2007 |
. | |
Barry QUIN (caretaker) | 10 April 2007 – 7 May 2007 |
. | |
Terry BUTCHER | 7 May 2007 – 11 December 2007 |
. | |
Andy SCOTT | 11 December 2007 – 3 February 2011 |
. | |
Nicky FORSTER | 3 February 2011 – 7 May 2011 |
. | |
Uwe ROSLER | 10 June 2011 – 7 December 2013 |
. | |
Alan KERNAGHAN (caretaker) | 7 December 2013 – 9 December 2013 |
. | |
Mark WARBURTON | 10 December 2013 – 31 May 2015 |
. | |
Marinus DIJKHUIZEN | 1 June 2015 – 27 September 2015 |
. | |
Lee CARSLEY | 28 September 2015 – 30 November 2015 |
. | |
Dean SMITH | 30 November 2015 – 10 October 2018 |
. | |
Thomas FRANK | 16 October 2018 – |
. |
League Record |
The Football League structure has historically been as follows …
1888-1892 | 1892-1920 | 1920-1921 | 1921-1958 | 1958-1992 | 1992-2004 | 2004 to date | |
First tier | Football League | Division One | Division One | Division One | Division One | Premiership | Premier League |
Second tier | Division Two | Division Two | Division Two | Division Two | Division One | Championship | |
Third tier | Division Three | Division Three (North) and (South) |
Division Three | Division Two | League One | ||
Fourth tier | Division Four | Division Three | League Two | ||||
. | |
Elected to Division Three (Tier 3) | 1920 |
. | |
Division Three (Tier 3) | 1920-1933 |
. | |
Division Two (Tier 2) | 1933-1935 |
. | |
Division One (Tier 1) | 1935-1947 |
. | |
Division Two (Tier 2) | 1947-1954 |
. | |
Division Three (Tier 3) | 1954-1962 |
. | |
Division Four (Tier 4) | 1962-1963 |
. | |
Division Three (Tier 3) | 1963-1966 |
. | |
Division Four (Tier 4) | 1966-1972 |
. | |
Division Three (Tier 3) | 1972-1973 |
. | |
Division Four (Tier 4) | 1973-1978 |
. | |
Division Three (Tier 3) | 1978-1992 |
. | |
Division One (Tier 2) | 1992-1993 |
. | |
Division Two (Tier 3) | 1993-1998 |
. | |
Division Three (Tier 4) | 1998-1999 |
. | |
Division Two (Tier 3) | 1999-2004 |
. | |
League One (Tier 3) | 2004-2007 |
. | |
League Two (Tier 4) | 2007-2009 |
. | |
League One (Tier 3) | 2009-2014 |
. | |
The Championship (Tier 2) | 2014-2021 |
. | |
Premier League (Tier 1) | 2021- |
. |