| 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 instill 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.
FAMOUS PLAYERS
:- Ron Greenwood, Rod Stewart (apprentice), Dai Hopkins, Ken Coote,
Terry Hurlock, Tony Summer, Jack Holliday.
FAMOUS FANS :
- Dean Gaffney (Actor "Robbie" in EastEnders), Sarah
Cracknell (Singer - St.Etienne), Kenny Lynch (Comic Actor).
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