Brentford

Brentford FC is a professional football club from the Middlesex town of the same name on the western suburbs of London. The club was formed in 1889 as a winter pursuit for Brentford Rowing Club, becoming members of the West London Alliance league in 1892.

This initiated a move from the local recreation ground to Benn's Field in Little Ealing. The B’s, as the club was nicknamed at the time rather than Bees, gained entry into the Second Division of the London League in 1896.

Brentford Community Stadium

The club played some games at Shotter's Field as interest in the club grew as the team won promotion at the first attempt before finishing as London League Division One runners-up in the 1897-98 season.

Brentford progressed to the Second Division (London section) of the Southern League for the 1898-99 campaign. By 1900-01 the team was playing at Boston Park Cricket Ground on York Road, where they went on to win the division and promotion.

Griffin Park became the clubs first ever permanent home when they moved in for the 1904-05 season. A run to the third round of the FA Cup came the following season before Brentford went down to Liverpool at Anfield.

Griffin Park

Fred Halliday was the secretary manager of the club when they were spared relegation in 1908-89. Halliday was replaced by Dusty Rhodes in a player-manager role, but the new incumbent couldn’t prevent relegation to Division Two of the Southern League in 1912-13.

Brentford struggled financially up until the outbreak of World War One. The club successfully applied for admission into Division One of the Southern League once peace was restored, rather than trying to enter the Football League.

However, Brentford became founder members of Football League Division Three South in May 1920. Archie Mitchell took over as player-manager in the summer of 1921 before Halliday became manager for a third spell in December 1924.

In 1925 Brentford adopted the colours of red and white striped shirts after using many different outfits up to that point. Harry Curtis, known as "The Guv'nor" took over as manager in the summer of 1926 and began to rebuild the squad.

Joe James was signed from local club Battersea Church; going on to become one of the clubs’ greatest midfielders. Home form was excellent but not mirrored on the road as Curtis continued to strengthen the team.

Jack Holliday banged in thirty nine goals as Brentford won the Division Three title in 1932-33; following on from a runners-up spot in 1929-30. Further signings were made as the team continued their upward trajectory.

The 'Big Five' forward line of Billy Scott, Holliday, Ernest Muttitt, Charlie Fletcher and Idris Hopkins led the team to the Division Two title in 1934-35 and promotion to the top flight of English football as the capacity of Griffin Park was extended to 40,000.

A fifth place finish came in 1935-36, followed by two sixth place endings. In 1937-38 Brentford reached the sixth round of the FA Cup before bowing out at home to Preston North End. Billy Scott became Brentford's first full England international in 1936.

To see an old clip of these glory days click here

The team narrowly avoided relegation in 1938-39 as many of the players had gone past their peak. World War Two intervened with the team beating Portsmouth in the final of the London War Cup at Wembley Stadium in 1942.

The Football League resumed in 1946-47. By now Brentford had an ageing squad and one that could not cope with the demands of First Division football. Relegation came to end a spell of top flight football.

Another relegation was narrowly averted before Curtis left the club after twenty three years at the helm in the summer of 1949 after he was replaced by player-manager Jackie Gibbons. Another run to the FA Cup quarter final ended in defeat in front of a record home attendance against Leicester City.

Gibbons led the team to three mid table finishes despite spending little money on the squad. He resigned just before the commencement of the 1952-53 season. Jimmy Bain served as interim boss before Tommy Lawton was appointed as player-manager in January 1953.

Lawton resigned shortly into the 1952-53 campaign and was eventually replaced by Bill Dodgin Sr. Despite the signing of future star Johnny Rainford, Brentford were relegated to the third tier. Jimmy Bloomfield was sold to settle club debts.

The youth team began to produce players for Dodgin’s side before the manager departed in the summer of 1957 to be replaced by Malky MacDonald. Jim Towers and George Francis began to score goals while the manager was able to assemble a settled side who finished as league runners-up.

The Football League was re-organised for the 1958-59 season. Brentford were placed in Division Three where they had three consecutive top six finishes. However, £50,000 of debts had been accrued. Players were sold and released before the team was relegated to Division Four in 1961-62.

MacDonald was given funds to rebuild by chairman Jack Dunnett which was repaid as Brentford were crowned as Division Four champions and won promotion at the first attempt as forwards Billy McAdams and Johnny Brooks shone.

Ken Coote retired the following season after making a record 559 appearances. MacDonald also announced he would be departing at the seasons end and was replaced by trainer Tommy Cavanagh as form dropped away leading to a fifth place finish.

Cavanagh was sacked towards the end of the 1965-66 campaign. His replacement Billy Gray couldn’t inspire the team in avoiding the drop back down to the fourth tier. A far bigger crisis was to hit the club in January 1967.

Brentford had spent over £100,000 in transfers over the previous few years; a large amount at the time for a club of that stature. Yet attendances had halved. Dunnett announced that he would be selling his shares in the club.

News broke that Dunnett had reached an agreement with Jim Gregory; his counterpart at Queens Park Rangers, Brentford’s disliked rivals. QPR were to move into Griffin Park and sell their Loftus Road home for housing. Brentford FC would cease to exist.

Fan protests were led by Supporters' Club chairman Peter Pond-Jones with donations coming in to try and save the club. A consortium was formed with former Plymouth Argyle chairman Ron Blindell took over Dunnett's shares in February 1967.

Evening matchday at Griffin Park

Gray was replaced as manager by Jimmy Sirrel as form picked up and the mood lifted on the terraces; even if the feelings towards QPR had severely deteriorated. Blindell guaranteed a bridging loan of £104,000 for one year.

Sirrel had a threadbare squad to choose from before Blindell announced in March 1968 that Brentford would be moving to Hillingdon Borough’s Leas Stadium and be renamed Brentford Borough FC. Gregory had decided to try and get Griffin Park once again for his club.

This time former director Walter Wheatley would be the savour as he offered an interest free loan to keep the club in its traditional home. Sirrel continued to work wonders before he was tempted away to take the Notts County job in November 1969.

Frank Blunstone eventually took over as manager as the team just missed out on promotion. In 1970-71 the financial issues were helped by a run all the way to the FA Cup fifth round which paid off the remainder of Blindell’s loan.

The goals of John O’Hara in a settled team took Brentford to the Division Four title in 1971-72. Blunstone was still forced to manage on a shoestring. O’Hara was sold as the team was relegated on the final day of the season.

Blunstone resigned and was replaced by Mike Everitt and then John Docherty. Several seasons in mid table ensued before Bill Dodgin Jnr. Gradually developed a team that won promotion back to Division Three with a fourth place finish in 1977-78.

Old floodlight pylons of Griffin Park

Then followed a period of relative stability as Dodgin, Fred Callaghan and then Frank McLintock all had spells as manager. Players such as Bob Booker, Chris Kamara, Terry Hurlock and Jim McNichol were crowd favourites of the time.

Brentford reached the final of the Football League Trophy in 1984-85 at Wembley Stadium. A Robbie Cooke goal came as consolation in a 3-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic. Steve Perry man took over from McLintock in January 1987.

Perryman’s side reached the sixth round of the FA Cup in 1989-99 before going out at Anfield to Liverpool. Over his reign Perryman made many valuable signings and introduced a string of youth players into the first team.

One of Griffin Park's famous four corner pubs

He resigned in the summer of 1990 with assistant boss Phil Holder stepping up to the plate. In his first season at the helm Brentford reached the play-offs but went out in the semi-finals to Tranmere Rovers.

In 1991-92 Brentford won the Division Three title thanks to the goals of Dean Holdsworth and Gary Blissett and support of the likes of Simon Ratcliffe, Keith Jones, Terry Evans and Keith Millen as the team won their final six games of the season.

The Bees spell in the second tier lasted just one season in in the newly renamed First Division. Holdsworth was sold to Wimbledon with new chairman Martin Lange terminating the contract of Holder.

David Webb took over as manager with the goals of Robert Taylor and Nicky Forster taking the side to the play-offs in 1994-95 where they went out in the semi-final on penalties to Huddersfield Town.

Carl Asaba became the latest scoring hero as the Bees reached the play-offs once again in 1996-97. Bristol City were overcome before Brentford lost 1-0 to Crewe Alexandra in the final at Wembley. A consortium led by Webb bought the club a few weeks later.

Eddie May was appointed as manager, before being replaced after a poor start by Micky Adams. The new man couldn’t help his side from relegation at the end of the campaign. Former Crystal Palace owner Ron Noades bought the club in June 1998.

He decided to appoint himself as manager and he backed up his claims, that he could do a better job than other managerial candidates, by leading the side to promotion at the first attempt by finishing as Division Three champions.

Noades remained in charge until November 2000 when he installed Ray Lewington as boss. Brentford reached the final of the Football League Trophy in 2000-01 but lost to Port Vale at the Millennium Stadium.

Steve Coppell came in as manager in May 2001. Brentford faced the agony of a defeat in the 2001-02 play-off final to Stoke City after Huddersfield Town were dispatched in the semi-finals. A win on the final day of the regulation season would have sealed automatic promotion.

Coppell resigned soon into the new season as the ITV Digital collapse meant that cash was tight. Wally Downes took over as Administration was narrowly avoided. Noades handed control to supporters' trust Bees United with the former BBC Director-General and Bees fan Greg Dyke was announced as the new chairman of the club.

Downes was sacked in March 2004 with relegation looking a distinct possibility. Martin Allen came in as the side achieved “The Great Escape” to secure third tier football for another season.

Allen’s side reached the play-off semi-finals in 2004-05, going out to Sheffield Wednesday. Brentford also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup before going out in a replay to Southampton.

Another fifth round appearance followed in 2005-06 as the goals of DJ Campbell did the job before he was sold on. The team battled to third place in the league. Once again play-off agony was to follow with a semi-final defeat to Swansea City.

Allen departed in May 2006, to be followed into the managers seat by Leroy Rosenior, Scott Fitzgerald, Terry Butcher and then Andy Scott with the club in the bottom tier after another relegation in 2007. Scott's team sealed the League Two title in 2008-09  to win promotion.

However, his side didn't progress as was hoped with him leaving the club in January 2011. Caretaker player manager Nicky Forster led the side to the final of the Football League Trophy, where they lost to Carlisle United; but he wasn't retained at the end of the season.

The Braemar Road Stand of Griffin Park

The German Uwe Rosler was appointed as manager in June 2011. At the end of the 2011-12 season Bees United announced that they were to sell its entire shareholding to supporter and investor Matthew Benham.

To read the amazing story of Benham, read here:

Rosler's first season in charge saw an improvement to results, and in his second campaign at the helm Brentford embarked on a fine FA Cup run as they took Chelsea to a replay in round four. The season ended in disappointment. 

Seconds from promotion, Doncaster Rovers broke to the other end at Griffin Park to score and deny The Bees and send them into the play offs. Yeovil Town defeated Brentford in the final.

In December 2013 Rosler took the managers job at Wigan Athletic to be replaced by the clubs Sporting Director; Mark Warburton. The season ended joyfully as promotion was clinched with a second place finish.

To complete a tremendous season planning permission for a new stadium at nearby Lionel Road was passed by the London Borough of Hounslow and then government minister Eric Pickles with work beginning in the summer of 2014.

Warburton's side continued to impress in their first season back in the second tier hovering around the play off places around New Year of 2015, so it was somewhat of a surprise when the club announced that Warburton's services would not be renewed for the following season, with the decision being a mutual one.

Under the Griffin Park lights

He led the side to the play-offs where the Bees lost in the semi-final to Middlesbrough before departing with his assistant David Weir to take up the reigns at Rangers. Warburton's successor was the Dutchman Marinus Dijkhuizen. One of his early decisions was to sell top scorer Andre Gray to Burnley.

Dijkhuizen had gone within a few months, with Lee Carsley stepping in on a temporary basis to steady the rocky ship before Dean Smith arrived from Walsall to take up the reigns. Smith led the side to tenth place finish.

Smith built a side easy on the eye and took them to three mid table finishes before departing to take the Aston Villa job in October 2018. He was replaced by the Dane Thomas Frank who took the side to eleventh position in 2018-19.

The 2019-20 season would be Brentford's last at Griffin Park before the move to their new stadium a mile or so away at Lionel Road. The team finished the pandemic disrupted season in the play-offs, defeating Swansea City before losing 2-1 to Fulham in the final.

Star men Saïd Benrahma and Ollie Watkins moved on but were replaced as the clubs excellent recruitment policy continued to bear fruit, with Ivan Toney scoring with regularity as the Bees adapted to life in the Brentford Community Stadium.

Brentford reached the play-offs where they defeated AFC Bournemouth before seeing off Swansea City at Wembley through goals from Toney and Emiliano Marcondes as the Bees reached the promised land of the Premier League in time for the supporters to be allowed to attend as the Covid pandemic abated.

The team quickly settled in their lofty surroundings, on and off the pitch. Toney put away the goals along with other significant signings fitting in well, as the Bees ended the 2012-22 season in thirteenth places which was backed up with ninth twelve months later. The 2023-24 campaign saw Toney serve a six month ban for illegal gambling before his return.

Brentford FC will play in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season.

My visits

Brentford 0 Carlisle United 3 (Saturday 19th April 1980) Division Three (att: 6,130)

I first went to Griffin Park back in 1980. As a family we were staying at the Holiday Inn, Heathrow taking a long weekend break. We had been on a bus to see the RAF Museum and Brent Cross Shopping Centre in the morning when we passed by the floodlights on the M4. 

I enquired to our guide as to who played there? My dad had noted my curiosity and saw that the The Bees were hosting Carlisle United that afternoon. On the way back I saw the lights well in advance. 

I'm sure my parents had spoken earlier as I was given some money and sent on my way to the ground! I immediately liked the place. At the time Griffin Park consisted of the following: An open Ealing Road End, a Main Stand with a terraced paddock, a large covered New Road side terracing and a big covered stand at the Brook Road End.

Little did I realise at the time but I saw a future superstar featuring in The Cumbrians 3-0 win, in the shape of a young Peter Beardsley. I was as happy as Larry as there was no segregation and you were free to roam anywhere around the ground. I also got some bargains at the programme shop as it was nearing the end of season. 

I spoke to some locals and worked out where to go to catch the tube back to Heathrow before taking the courtesy bus back to the hotel. I was quite a proud 14 year old finding my way around the capital! 

It turned out to be a great weekend as I was tipped off about a series currently being piloted in London called "Minder" which had been filmed at the hotel. We went on a tour of Wembley Stadium and had a superb Saturday night out at the now sadly demolished Slough Greyhound Stadium.

Brentford 1 Hull City 1 (Saturday 15th October 1983) Division Three (att: 4,258)

In 1983 I was at college in Borehamwood so I had a fairly simple trip to see Hull City scramble a 1-1 draw in poor conditions. I walked from Kings Cross to Waterloo to see some more of the city. I met a fellow City fan called Pete Sexton who lived in Southfields who was keen on setting up a Hull City Southern Supporters Club. I ended up going to the very first few meetings.

Les Mutrie scored for City before on the way home I walked back through the West End and Soho; where I was propositioned on a doorstep; which for a seventeen year old was a bit of an eye opener!

Brentford 2 Hull City 1 (Saturday 11th May 1985) Division Three (att: 4,309)

The following season with promotion already sealed for "The Tigers", I went by train from Scarborough. I met up with plenty of City fans at a pub on Brentford High Street and we had a great pre match drink celebrating the promotion that had been sealed at Fellows Park Walsall a week earlier.

The New Road Stand by now had been shortened at the back owing to structural damage and was now segregated. City lost 2-1 after leading through Gary Swann.

Although this was a bit of a setback it was nothing to events unfolding at Valley Parade, Bradford where fifty six people lost their lives. I was in a panic as I had two mates Paul Sharp and Martin Halliday at the game. My Dad met me at Scarborough station on my return to tell me that they were fine and in the pub.

 

Also that day was marred when a wall collapsed at St Andrews, Birmingham killing a fan after rioting at the game v Leeds. Four days later thirty nine fans were killed at the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. These were amongst footballs darkest days.

Brentford 1 Scarborough 1 (Saturday 27th February 1999) Division Three (att: 4,783)

Many years passed before my next visit. In 1999 Scarborough were fighting for their lives at the bottom of Division 3, or Division 4 to us traditionalists, and faced a vital trip to Griffin Park. This was exciting enough but Andy Borrie had arranged for some of us to be "Fans of the Week" of the Sky TV show, Soccer AM. 

This meant travelling by train on the Friday night before appearing on TV for a few hours the next morning. Needless to say this led to far too much to drink the night before, "to quell our nerves". 

I have the programme on video and I have to say I was not in line for any academy awards for my performance. It was nevertheless a great experience followed by more drinks in the adjacent rugby club with some of the cast and backroom staff. We were then whisked away in taxis to Griffin Park.

I managed to somehow cram in a drink at the grounds unique feature of having a pub on all four corners outside the ground: The Royal Oak, The Griffin, The Princess Royal and The New Inn.

Boro were superb and led until ten minutes from the end through a Darren Roberts goal before eventually promoted Brentford, snatched an equaliser. It would turn out to be another nail in Boro's survival hopes at the end of the season. The ground had changed since my previous visit. The Main Stand's paddock had gone and was now all seated as was the New Road Stand opposite. 

The Brook Road terrace had been demolished with a small double decker stand, with terracing downstairs, replacing it. The Boro fans sat upstairs and created a rousing atmosphere. The club sold off the remaining land previously occupied by the vast terrace for housing development.

Tuesday 19th September 2006

I decided to go for a walk around the area as I was now living in NW London. I was kindly granted permission to go inside and take some photos before Brentford's League Cup game v Luton Town. 

The ground looked a picture. I was particularly impressed as I walked around the many terraced streets surrounding the ground as to how many old fashioned local pubs were in the area.

Brentford 4 Blackpool 0 (Tuesday 24^th February 2015) The Championship (att: 8,765)

After finishing my stretch of night shifts I pondered where to head for my entertainment. The new ground options in non-league were not too appealing, and the fixtures limited in general. In the end I decided to head to Griffin Park as I could print a ticket at home and the ground would not be around forever.

I travelled down to the game by tube and then Overground from Brondesbury to Gunnersbury where I jumped on board the H91 bus to the end of Ealing Road. The whole trip took just over an hour.

My £25 ticket was for the home terrace at the Ealing Road End. Being able to stand at a second tier game was another attraction. I paid £3 for a bulky programme before going through the Braemar Road turnstiles and finding myself on a bustling forecourt. 

Everything possible had been done to cater for fans in the tight confines. I had to show my home printed ticket once more at the steps to go up behind the goal. The end had a roof which aided the atmosphere.

I actually selected the open corner next to the New Road Stand. While it was a cold night, it was dry. I got a decent view near to the floodlight pylon. I had commented on Facebook about the beauty of the four corner pylons towering over a ground being something special and a dying breed. The reaction tended to agree.

Brentford were on a fine run of results, which made the news of manager Warburton’s forthcoming departure somewhat of a shock. Blackpool were rock bottom of the table. Just 223 hardy fans had travelled to support them.

I was glad that I made the effort to have a proper look at The Bees. They really were something special. After a steady start keeping possession and getting everyone into the game, they tore Blackpool apart.

The opening goal came from Arsenal loanie Jon Toral who finished off a fine move on sixteen minutes when the mightily impressive Jota set him up. The two Spaniards along with Alex Pritchard, who was on loan from Tottenham, stood out all evening.

It was two nil a couple of minutes later. Toral powered a towering header home at the back post from Andre Gray’s delivery. The visitors were stretched right across the park as the home side produced many slick passing movements. Only Nadine up front for the Tangerines caused the occasional problem, but the rest of the team were forced into damage limitation.

Gray missed a one on one before Blackpool were reduced to ten men as referee Andy D’Urso showed a straight red card to Charles Dunne for a severe two footed challenge on Jota. The Bees players were simply too quick for most of the hapless visitors.

At the break I took up a position at the other corner of the terrace by the wall to the Main Stand. It proved to be a good move as straight from the restart Brentford tore into their opponents, with most moves developing in front of me.

Gray’s persistence paid off on fifty two minutes when he scored with a deflected effort. Joe Lewis in the Blackpool net was having a decent game, which was just as well. Some of his defence’s blocks were heroic as they were stretched to breaking point. With any luck Brentford would have rattled up double figures.

Warburton rung the changes to give three subs a run, and to let hard working stars Jota, Gray and Jonathan Douglas have a rest while leaving to standing ovations. This let Pool off the hook somewhat. Although the pressure continued, it wasn’t as fast or to the same intensity.

This didn’t stop Toral from completing his hat trick in the closing stages as he bundled the ball home. 4-0 was the very least that Brentford deserved from the game. I was also impressed with much maligned ref D’Urso, who got most things right.

I walked under the M4 before catching the bus back to Hammersmith at full time. The tube behaved and I was enjoying a few pints of Mick the Miller in the Kingsbury Wetherspoons by 10.45. It’d been an excellent evening out!

Brentford 0 Middlesbrough 1 (Tuesday 12th January 2016) The Championship (att: 10,312)

The wet weather was continuing around the south east, which was making planning a visit to a non-league game chancy. Instead, I plumped for another visit to Griffin Park in what could have been its penultimate season.

Armed with my £25 standing ticket for the Ealing Road end, which I printed at home, I took the same route as my previous visit. The buses were kind, and the Princess Royal pub was not too packed as I passed, so I enjoyed a pint of London Pride before going in. Once again I took up a spot in the corner near the Main Stand.

The weather was cold, damp and windy. It was proper winter football weather, but not ideal as the wind was blowing towards our end. Brentford were in a mid table berth, with Boro on top of the league. They were cheered on by an impressive following of 1,612 fans.

The Bees missed two guilt edged chances through a fine move and then a defensive howler, as Alan Judge and Lasse Vibe were foiled by Dimi Konstantopoulos in the Boro net. Gradually the visitors got into the game and tightened up at the back. David Nugent had a couple of opportunities to put them ahead, but he failed to capitalise.

The half time Bovril was even more welcome than usual on such a chilly night. I liked the atmosphere of Griffin Park. The home fans had humour, and got behind their team. Their good nature was about to be tested.

Their side were putting the Middlesbrough defence under pressure, but the visitors stood firm. They hadn’t conceded a goal for seven matches, and their confidence shone through. I thought their defence and goalkeeper were excellent, backed up by a good midfield.

It would take a huge error from the otherwise impressive Brentford goalie David Button to break the deadlock, as he punched a corner into his own net, while under pressure.

The game went from end to end at great pace. Brentford were desperately looking for someone with an inventive spark to open up a chance, such as injured star Jota. The forwards also needed to shot earlier. They generally had more of the play, although Boro were ever dangerous on the break.

The result was probably a little harsh on the home side, although Middlesbrough were clearly the classier outfit. At full time I walked down to Brentford High Road with the intention of taking the bus straight back to Gunnersbury, but the sign adorning the wall of the Express Tavern proclaiming ‘Ale, Cider, Food’ in the same fashion as the brilliant Southampton Arms had me ringing the bell franticly!

A fine pint of hoppy ale in the busy but amiable boozer was just what the doctor ordered for a warm up, before I continued my route home. A short refreshment stop was taken at the North London Tavern in Kilburn to sample a lovely pint of ‘Summer Down Under’ from the Twickenham Brewery, accompanied by the sounds of recently departed David Bowie along with The Cult ended a fine evening in perfect style.

To see the teams enter the arena, click here

Brentford 0 Fulham 2 (Friday 4th November 2016), The Championship, (att: 12,052) 

I was shocked to see a few tickets still available few days before this West London derby. As I had the next day off work, this was a great opportunity to see a decent match at one of my favourite old venues.

Deciding to try a different route to the game, I soon regretted the decision as the 297 bus from Wembley Park took what seemed like an eternity to reach Ealing Broadway. Fortunately, an E2 service arrived empty soon after and I made kick off in comfortable time.

£20 had bought me a restricted view seat in the Ealing Road top corner of Braemar Road Stand. A further £3.50 got me a really interesting programme. My view wasn’t perfect but I could see 90% of the pitch. Several foreign fans sounded like they’d also taken up the offer.

It was a decent game for a neutral and a reasonable atmosphere, helped by a voiciferous following of 1,654 cheering on Fulham. Both sides hovered just below the play off places before kick off.

Fulham were the better side in the first half as their defence kept the Bees forwards well away from goal, while Tom Cairney dominated play from midfield. The visitors took the lead on thirty six minutes through Sone Aluko. His initial shot was saved by Daniel Bentley, but he finished at the second attempt.

After the break Brentford showed a bit more attacking intent but they failed to exert ex Bees keeper David Button too much. He did pull off one superb save to keep out a Josh Clarke effort before Cairney waltzed through and finished in fine style in the second minute of stoppage time to make it 2-0.

It was certainly getting cold by full time in my lofted view so I especially enjoyed the mass walk up Ealing Road at full time and with the bus under the motorway flyover and an Overground train arriving at Gunnersbury, I was enjoying a pint and a mulled cider back in Kingsbury at 10.45.

It had been a really good night out.

Brentford 3 Barnet 1 (Tuesday 5^th February 2019) FA Cup Round Four Replay (att: 6,954)

The two sides drew 3-3 in the first game at The Hive while I worked the previous Monday evening. I immediately got onto Steve Speller who was keen to visit Griffin Park before the club moved and he confirmed he wanted a ticket.

We’d nearly gone together a couple of years previously, but the TV clash against Newcastle United was moved at the last minute to a date when we were both busy. The club kindly refunded my ticket money, which put them in good light with me.

I purchased us a couple of tickets on the Ealing Road terrace at £10 each for our night out which I printed at home. I had the following day off work, so we planned to fully enjoy the evening, meeting at 4pm for a snifter in JJ Moons at Kingsbury.

A comfort break and a swift half was enjoyed at the North London Tavern in Kilburn before we boarded the train to Gunnersbury at Brondesbury. A short bus ride later saw us ready for action in the Express Tavern, which was already getting busy.

We enjoyed a nice chat with a fella with his Barnet supporting son. The father was originally from Lincoln and had just taken on the job as photographer for Hadley FC. The beer was good. I had a Bass and then a Harveys Best, but the pub was a little claustrophobic.

It was the type of place that you wanted to be on a quiet afternoon to pass away a bit of time reading the paper and sampling the ale rather than on a matchday. It would be even busier once the new stadium, which was rising at a rapid rate just behind the pub, once opened.

Our mutual mate and beer guru Steve Barnes had offered the Magpie & Crown as a good option, so we took the bus along Brentford High Street to seek it out. My mate was immediately impressed even from outside with the detached mock-Tudor old school building.

Unfortunately, the ale was dispensed in hard plastic glasses as the local police put in a by-law to that effect for any pubs within a mile radius of Griffin Park. Ironically, they’d get away with serving out of glasses once the new place opened.

The quality of the beer wasn’t affected. We opted for the Five Points XPA, brewed in Hackney, which was superb. We soon got chatting to an amiable local originally from Ramsbottom who gave us the lowdown on all local developments.

Brentford was certainly looking to go upmarket with its riverside location. Apparently, someone was doing very well from approving planning for the new houses on Griffin Park once it became vacant.

Steve is a thirsty drinking partner at the best of times, but he was on full overdrive. We eventually left the pub at 7.35pm ten minutes before kick-off and at least that distance from the ground, if we jogged some of the way. There was little chance of that happening!

We passed another couple of establishments that were tempting, but I wanted to be at the ground. We had reached The Griffin, one of the four corner pubs outside the ground. It was audible that the teams were out, and kick-off was imminent when my pal declared he was to have half in each boozer. He’d see me inside.

By now I knew that I’d had a pretty good session. Fortunately, I found a decent vantage spot where I regularly stand to enjoy a pie and Bovril while using the wall against the seating paddock to save myself from falling over.

The away end was full. The ticketing allocation had led to a big row in the build up to the game with Barnet chairman Kleanthous boycotting it and giving his tickets to fans. The visitors had received the same allocation as every club did at the ground.

It would appear he was trying to save face for selling the allocation to all and sundry, meaning season ticket holders missed out. The corresponding forums were a bit of an embarrassment before the game, though the more astute Barnet fans saw through their man.

It was a bit of a shame as the ground wasn’t anywhere near capacity. Brentford had limited tickets to those with a previous purchasing history once the row blew up to stop Barnet fans entering the home areas.

Out on the pitch the hosts burst the bubble of a potential shock on seven minutes when Sergi Canos finished a low cross from Said Benrahma on the back of a well worked corner as the Barnet defence was exposed.

Moses Odubajo was having a fine game for Brentford, going close along with Benrahma with Neal Maupay having an effort cleared off the line. Barnet were really under the pump at this stage and hanging on.

They went further behind with just over half an hour on the clock when Julian Jeanvier steered in a Benrahma free kick past keeper Mark Cousins. Barnet stopped the rot somewhat and perhaps Brentford eased off a little?

Steve telephoned at half time to tell me he was inside the ground. I struggled to locate him, mainly because he’d somehow got his way upstairs to the seats! Once retrieved I led him to our standing section. It was never dull going out with him.

He waxed lyrical about Griffin Park. The beer may have been talking to a degree, but he was right. It was a proper old traditional football ground and I too would be sad when it went, but the modern game for better or worse is about money streams and posh facilities.

Steve said that The Griffin was a nice pub with the Royal Oak OK. He had to pretend he wasn’t there for football to get into the New Inn, which didn’t welcome fans and was now an Irish pub. The Princess Royal didn’t get many favourable thoughts from him, but he’d done all four and was as proud as punch!

It was a nice atmosphere on our terrace with youngsters mingling with parents. Steve gave his Orient card to a young fella making cheeky comments and enjoying his evening. The youth do need encouraging to watch their local teams.

Brentford continued to create chances out on the pitch. Canos headed just wide, Romaine Sawyers was off target when he should have done better while Maupay had two efforts saved by Cousins. Steve got a few looks by calling out “C’mon Barnet” a few times. Luckily the locals took it in the spirit it was intended.

Craig Robson had a header come back off the Brentford crossbar before the game was put to bed by Maupay with twenty minutes left when he converted a low cross from Henrik Dalsgaard.

Barnet continued playing until the end and got a deserved goal back when David Tutonda sixteen minutes from full time. The hosts withstood a few minutes of additional pressure before seeing out time. We departed as the board went up for stoppage time.

This time we walked up New Road to catch the bus along Great West Road. The service in The Gunnersbury was abysmal, so we waited on the platform for our train back. This was delayed by a gang of young away fans holding the doors open until their mates arrived.

The posse took me back. They were dressed in old Lacoste, Fila and Tacchini gear and looking like football causals of the 80’s. A good effort. It was a usual gang. A couple of ring leaders, a few wannabees and a couple who looked terrified to be there.

They were no problem with us, even smiling and acknowledging. It sounded like they planned to get some chicken and wind the staff up when they alighted. Steve and I had more pressing issues that were resolved back in the North London Tavern.

We met Mr Barnes back in Kingsbury. Goodness knows what we must have been like, but we knew we’d had a great night out. I definitely paid for it the following morning, once I eventually woke up.

Brentford B 4 Harrow Borough 0 (Tuesday 16^th April 2019) Middlesex Senior Cup Final (att: 876)

The final fell perfectly for me with work schedules. I was keen to attend as Hendon were the holders and I’d seen the impressive young Brentford team dispose of Barnet in the semi-final. An added bonus was that the final was being played at Griffin Park.

My arrival was timed just right by tube, Overground and bus. Admission was £10 with the programme a further couple of quid. A decent crowd was assembled, so it was a little disappointing that only the Main Stand paddock was open to the paying public.

It was also a bit of overkill trying to ask fans to sit in their designated seats, when there was no real choice when purchased on the gate. I found an empty area up towards the players tunnel and kept quiet.

Harrow had plenty of backing and started out well. The game had a bit of an FA Cup feel about it, with Boro being more direct than their full-time opponents in the early stages. Boro’s keeper Boro’s Gary Ross made a regulation stop from Joe Hardy on fourteen minutes.

A Cole Dasilva shot tested the stopper further as he parried the effort for a corner. I was a fan of the midfield flair of Harrow’s Michael Bryan. He seemed to enjoy the pristine surface as he put in Joshua Andrew with a fine pass.

Brentford’s youth had a couple of half chances before Bryan made an interception and then a run to supply Ryan Moss who couldn’t get his header on target. Both sides had exchanges in each other’s boxes in what was turning into an interesting encounter.

Theo Archibald nearly got on the end of a Dasilva pass for the hosts, while Hardy had to clear while under pressure from the Harrow forwards. Lewis Cole sent in a curling free kick for Boro that his teammates just failed to get on the end of. There was little in the game as the players trotted down the tunnel at the interval.

Brentford had a goal chalked off for offside just after the restart when Hardy put the ball away after Ross had got his hands to a stinging Ali Coote effort. Archibald then had an effort blocked by Nathaniel Oseni before Hardy fired wide.

Anthony O’Connor shot wide for Harrow as the game began to open up. Eventually it would be Brentford who opened the scoring after an hour. Dasilva went on a run and set up Archibald whose shot was saved by Ross, but Hardy put away the rebound.

Ross made a fine double save from Archibald and then Coote. Frank Keita had a chance to bag an equaliser when teed up by O’Connor. He went for placement rather than power with his shot, allowing Patrik Gunnarsson to make the save.

The excellent referee Dan Simpson sensibly decided to book Lewis Cole of Harrow for a challenge, when a more trigger happy official may have shown a red card. Simpson impressed me every time I saw him in the middle and was surely destined for a higher level?

Hardy netted his and Brentford’s second when set up by Coote with six minutes remaining as the fitness of the youthful full timers began to show. I was heading for the exit in the final minute of normal time when Fredrik Hammar made it 3-0.

The cheers of the fourth goal were heard as I reached the exit. It later transpired that Gustav Mogensen had scored it. I thought it gave the score a rather unfair reflection on a game that Harrow had contributed largely to.

My journey back was via three buses as I headed back to JJ Moons in Kingsbury where I met up with the usual suspects for some enjoyable neck oil.

Brentford 2 Cardiff City 1 (Wednesday 11^th December 2019) EFL Championship (att: 10,417)

My regular football companion Tony Foster messaged me to see if I was interested in a ticket for this match. The Championship was just about my favourite league and with Griffin Park in its last season there was no way I’d turn him down.

Even better was the fact that I was off work, and then my Cardiff City supporting mate Neil Eggar was coming up for a few beers and then going to the match with some mates. All was set as I headed off to meet the Welshmen in Camden Town.

A convivial hour or so was enjoyed with the boys impressed with the pubs and somewhat shocked by the elected nature of some of the punters. We took the Overground service from Camden Road via Willesden Junction to Gunnersbury.

The lads were impressed with my “local” knowledge with me throwing a few odds and sods of info that I thought that they may have found interesting. They seemed to nod and smile at the right times, so I was either making sense or they were being polite?

One of the beauties of Griffin Park is its location is among lots of pubs; many of which would not look out of place in an old episode of Minder or The Sweeney. The Royal Horseguardsman was a perfect example. Warm, small, friendly locals and a decent affordable pint.

After a pint I bid farewell to my guests to make my second appointment of the evening, as I went in search of the Inverness Lodge Club to meet friends who make the Armadillos Cricket Club who tour the annual Cricket Sixes tournament in Chiang Mai where I’m a committee member.

We’d often chatted and suggested we met up at a game. Finally, we got around to it. Paul Cousens, Neil Hutchison and Gary Darbyshire looked after me with kind hospitality along with several other loyal and welcoming Bees fans.

I love chatting and learning about teams and the clubs from proper supporters rather than on social media. Neil and Gary had been to look at their seats in the new stadium which would be ready a few months later. They seemed most impressed.

In no time at all we filed along Clifden Road with the magnificent sight of the four illuminated old fashioned floodlight pylons up ahead. It would certainly be sad when it was no more, but I felt that Brentford’s hierarchy seemed to know what they were doing and would get the move right.

Tony was already in the Main Stand. Our seats were a little cramped but not as bad as those at Loftus Road. A pillar offered a sight issue, but again, I’d been in worse positions. Brentford were on a good run and Cardiff had just employed Neil Harris as boss to replace Neil Warnock. I was looking forward to an interesting game.

We were certainly not let down. We saw an excellent encounter; especially as neutrals. Josh Dasilva gave notice of things to come when he fired just wide for Brentford in the first minute. Leandro Bacuna responded for the Bluebirds with a shot that went narrowly over David Raya’s bar.

Brentford were laying some beautiful incisive football on the deck; epitomised by Said Benrahma. It would be the Algerian who created the opening goal on twenty five minutes, as he turned superbly and laid in Bryan Mbeumo with a clever perfectly placed pass.

The forward made no mistake as he fired past Philippines international keeper Neil Etheridge. A quality move including contributions from Mathias Jensen, Ollie Watkins and Dasilva saw Jenson thwarted by Etheridge.

Benrahma was just about unplayable in the first half. He was a joy to watch and putting in a ball playing display I’d only seen equalled at the same level by Adel Taarabt in QPR’s promotion winning season.

After half an hour Rico Henry played a one two with Benrahma but hot his shot into the side netting when well placed. Etheridge parried a Benrahma shot just before the interval, but top scorer Watkins put the follow up over the bar.

Watkins made no mistake a minute after the teams had emerged from the dressing rooms in the second half when he glanced home a header from a Mbeumo from the right. It looked like game over at that point and a matter of how many the Bees may add.

However, they relaxed a little too much and try to over elaborate. City could smell half a chance and began to get back into the game. I sensed it too and mentioned to my mate that the next goal would be pivotal.

Benrahma had a shot saved but after that it was pretty much Cardiff in the ascendency. A dipping shot from Josh Murphy went narrowly over before they halved the deficit on sixty four minutes when Marlon Pack rifled in after Lee Tomlin had laid his free kick square.

City started to win vital balls in midfield and gradually cranked up the pressure roared on by a passionate following of 1,119 fans. Aden Flint missed a decent chance when he should have at least forced Raya into action.

Raya saved from Tomlin before producing a finger tip save from the same player as the game drew to a conclusion. The final whistle was met with relief by the home fans. All the players looked shattered, and so they should have.

They produced a really entertaining contest with every one of them giving all they had. We waxed lyrical all the way back to Tony’s car. The temperatures had plummeted by then but the match had captivated and taken the attention away from the weather.

It was a fantastic few hours out and about. Little did I realise that twenty four hours later I’d be in a completely opposite mood as the General Election results came in. Thank goodness for football!

Monday 30^th November 2020

My chance to say what would probably be a last goodbye to Griffin Park came when I undertook a charity walk visiting all the top five tier club stadiums in London, walking 100 miles in the process. It can be read about here.

I was delighted to see the floodlights still up as I went underneath the M4 and down Ealing Road. The ground was boarded up awaiting demolition to begin, though I did see an office light on inside the Braemar Road Stand.

From there it was a ten minute walk back over the railway bridge before cutting through past newly built housing and Carville Hall Park to Lionel Road South, back over the railway to find myself outside the Brentford Community Stadium.

Much work was still in progress on the roads and housing that forged the deal for the stadium to get the go ahead, so I was restricted as to what I could see. My initial thoughts were that it was going to be very congested on a matchday, but the local authorities were obviously happy about it.

It was sad that Brentford fans didn’t have the opportunity to say their proper goodbye to Griffin Park and were being deprived of getting inside their new home because of COVID-19. Heading off I hoped that I’d get the opportunity to get in for a match once fans were allowed back inside.

Brentford 0 West Ham United 1 (Saturday 31^st July 2021) Friendly (att: c5,000)

When I was alerted to this game, I went to the Bees website where I had a buying history from Griffin Park. I was keen to tick off the new stadium so when general sale wasn’t available, I went to Plan B and my old Armadillos cricket pals.

Paul Cousens came up trump and emailed the ticket to print off. I sent him £25 in return, which while seemingly expensive would offer additional extras including a drink at half time, access to Legends Bar and a free programme.

My colleague, Andy, kindly agreed to take me off early shift at work at 1.30. He came in even earlier, which allowed me to take the Piccadilly line to Acton Town from where a rail replacement bus helped me towards Gunnersbury.

I was outside the stadium by 2.15, quickly finding my entrance, where my ticket was scanned, and I was given a lanyard. The lift took us upstairs to Legends where I quickly located Gary Darbyshire, who was looking after me for the afternoon.

The drinks were soon flowing as we had a good chinwag. We both remarked on how it was so different to the old place, especially the palatial toilets. All too soon we were making our way out to our excellent cushioned seats on the back row.

My group of pals had purchased several tickets together, but some were missing for this game. I was sat next to two Dagenham supporters who Paul had sorted out. He’d told them a was short, bald and a Hartlepool fan. One out of three isn’t too bad I suppose!

I really liked the Brentford Community Stadium. Every single bit of land had been used giving it a slightly irregular shape, but that set it aside from other new builds. The Hammers fans in the far corner added to a good atmosphere.

Out of the pitch it wasn’t the worst game I’ve ever been to. The Bees, not at full strength, with lots of passing, while West Ham a little more direct with Michail Antonio leading the line well, and having a goal chalked off in the first half.

Blank at the interval we returned to the bar where a free bottle of Peroni was handed out, though the confusion and lack of communication led to a bit of disgruntlement among the locals who seemed to think it was a free pint of anything they’d receive.

Brentford were better after the break with manager Thomas Frank making changes to strengthen, but it would be Bees old boy Saïd Benrahma who settled things with a superb bending shot from the edge of the box.

It was an enjoyable occasion with lots of good cat. Some very interesting stories about football club finances, greedy managers and agents were exchanged. Fortunately, Brentford seemed to be on the right track. Owner Benham’s box was apparently bullet proof, which said something of his financial worth.

Gary and I were in a quandary at full time. We fancied a bit more socialising, with Legends closing soon and the prices not being the cheapest. We walked along under the motorway and across Windmill Road to The Globe, an excellent Fullers house.

It was busy with fans returning from the match as well as rugby fans watching South Africa v British Lions. The Oliver’s Island ale was in top nick as we discussed our dreams of returning to Chiang Mai the following April.

I departed and decided to treat myself to an Uber home. It had been a top few hours out in good company. It was certainly more sociable than when attending a serious football match, but I can handle most occasions!