1948–49 Brentford F.C. season

Brentford
1948–49 season
Chairman Frank Davis
Manager Harry Curtis
(until 14 February 1949)
Jackie Gibbons
(from 15 February 1949)
Stadium Griffin Park
Second Division 18th
FA Cup Sixth round
Top goalscorer League: Monk (11)
All: Monk (13)
Highest home attendance 38,678
Lowest home attendance 14,360
Average home league attendance 22,755

During the 1948–49 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. It was Harry Curtis' final season as manager and he was replaced by Jackie Gibbons in February 1949. Brentford ended the season in 18th-place, just one point away from a second relegation in three seasons, though the Bees advanced to the sixth round of the FA Cup for the third time in the club's history.

Season summary

1948–49 was Harry Curtis' 24th and final season as Brentford manager.

Brentford manager Harry Curtis prepared conservatively for the 1948–49 Second Division season, with inside forward Viv Woodward and wing half Paddy Harris being his only additions to the first team.[1][2] It was announced on the eve of the season that Curtis would step down from the manager's position at the end of the campaign and he reflected the need to build for the future with his signing of youngster Les Devonshire in May 1948 and over the course of the following five months,[3] Jimmy Anders, Micky Bull and Billy Dare would all sign, though Dare would go on to be the only one of the quartet to make an impact on the first team.[4][5][6]

After two wins from the opening seven matches, Curtis signed Leicester City forward Peter McKennan for £8,000,[3] though he failed to have an immediate effect on the team's goalscoring problems.[7] Brentford were able to stay afloat in mid-table due to the low number of goals conceded.[8] The Essential Work Order made it almost impossible for the Bees to sign any player aged under 30, due to the club having spent £28,300 (almost double the club's net income) on six new players during the previous financial year, with only Jack Chisholm and Fred Monk aged under 30.[3] Amidst a dire run of form in league matches around the turn of the year,[8] Peter McKennan finally came into form and scored 9 goals in a seven-match spell,[7] firing Brentford into the sixth round of the FA Cup for the second time in four seasons.[9] In the midst of the run was Brentford's biggest win of the season (8–2 versus Bury on 19 February 1949),[8] in which McKennan became the third (and as of the end of the 2015–16 season) most recent Bees player to score five goals in a Football League match.[10] The Bury fixture also marked the first match in charge for player/manager Jackie Gibbons, having replaced Harry Curtis, who would remain with the club until the end of the season as an advisor to Gibbons.[3] Brentford's FA Cup run ended with defeat to Leicester City in the sixth round,[8] with the 38,678 crowd setting a new Griffin Park record which still stands as of May 2016.[11]

Brentford's form deserted them in the wake of the FA Cup exit, winning just two of the remaining 14 league matches of the season.[8] Centre half Ron Greenwood was bought from Bradford Park Avenue for £9,000 in February,[12] with all of the money being recouped following the sale of captain Jack Chisholm to Sheffield United for £16,000 a month later.[13] Advanced preparations for the 1949–50 season continued in April, with the £7,000 purchase of Jackie Goodwin and Wally Quinton from Birmingham City.[3] Brentford slumped to an 18th-place finish, just one point above 21st-place Nottingham Forest.[8] Young forward Billy Dare was blooded in the final two months of the season and showed promise for the future with four goals in the final six matches.[7]

League table

Pos Team Pld Home Away F A GA GD Pts
W D L F A W D L F A
1Fulham4216415214858252377372.081+4057
2West Bromwich Albion4216324716858222369391.769+3056
3Southampton4216414810759212669361.917+3355
4Cardiff City4214434521597172662471.319+1551
5Tottenham Hotspur42144350183126222672441.636+2850
6Chesterfield4297524186105272751451.133+647
7West Ham United42135338235511183556580.966–246
8Sheffield Wednesday42126336173711273963561.125+743
9Barnsley42107440184512224362611.016+140
10Luton Town42116432163612234155570.965–240
11Grimsby Town42105644285511284872760.947–440
12Bury42125441235115265367760.882–940
13Queens Park Rangers42114631263711133644620.710–1839
14Blackburn Rovers42125441233315124053630.841–1038
15Leeds United42116436211713194255630.873–837
16Coventry City42123635203414204455640.859–937
17Bradford Park Avenue4288537265313285265780.833–1337
18Brentford42710428214413143242530.792–1136
19Leicester City42610541384611214162790.785–1736
20Plymouth Argyle42114633251812163949640.766–1536
21Nottingham Forest4296622145115284050540.926–435
22Lincoln City4267831352514225653910.582–3828

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Key
Division Champions, promoted
Promoted
Relegated

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division

No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 21 August 1948Coventry CityH2–2 26,090Nelson, Monk
2 25 August 1948Leeds UnitedA0–0 26,625
3 28 August 1948Sheffield WednesdayA0–0 35,116
4 1 September 1948Leeds United H1–3 19,212Woodward
5 4 September 1948Lincoln CityH2–1 22,414Manley, Girling
6 6 September 1948Leicester CityA0–0 24,151
7 11 September 1948ChesterfieldA1–0 11,057Girling
8 15 September 1948Leicester CityH1–2 17,986Buchanan
9 18 September 1948West Bromwich AlbionH0–0 28,212
10 25 September 1948BuryA2–1 22,473Monk (2)
11 2 October 1948West Ham UnitedA0–0 31,369
12 9 October 1948Queens Park RangersA0–2 25,814
13 16 October 1948Luton Town H2–0 23,211Gibbons, Buchanan
14 23 October 1948Bradford Park Avenue A1–3 14,906Blakeman
15 30 October 1948SouthamptonH0–0 29,887
16 6 November 1948Barnsley A2–1 20,883Nelson (pen), Monk
17 13 November 1948Grimsby TownH2–0 24,992Keene, Monk
18 20 November 1948Nottingham ForestA2–1 19,278Gibbons, Monk
19 4 December 1948Plymouth ArgyleA0–1 25,611
20 11 December 1948Blackburn RoversH0–1 21,421
21 18 December 1948Coventry City A1–2 21,280Manley
22 25 December 1948Cardiff CityH1–1 22,813Monk
23 27 December 1948Cardiff CityA0–2 49,236
24 1 January 1949Sheffield Wednesday H2–1 16,753Buchanan, Monk
25 15 January 1949Lincoln CityA1–3 13,125McKennan
26 22 January 1949ChesterfieldH1–1 25,549Monk
27 5 February 1949West Bromwich AlbionA0–2 39,482
28 19 February 1949BuryH8–2 23,249McKennan (5, 1 pen), Gibbons, Monk
29 5 March 1949Queens Park RangersH0–3 29,420
30 12 March 1949Luton TownA1–2 16,682Chisholm
31 19 March 1949Bradford Park AvenueH1–0 18,413Manley (pen)
32 26 March 1949Southampton A0–2 25,217
33 2 April 1949BarnsleyH0–0 18,485
34 6 April 1949FulhamH0–0 29,160
35 9 April 1949Grimsby TownA0–3 15,695
36 15 April 1949Tottenham Hotspur A0–2 39,050
37 16 April 1949Nottingham ForestH2–1 15,857Gager (og), Dare
38 18 April 1949Tottenham HotspurH1–1 19,004Dare
39 23 April 1949Fulham A1–2 39,149Dare
40 25 April 1949West Ham UnitedA1–1 15,553Smith
41 30 April 1949Plymouth ArgyleH2–2 14,360Buchanan (2)
42 7 May 1949Blackburn RoversA1–2 15,453Gray (og), Dare

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
3R 8 January 1949 Middlesbrough H 3–2 (a.e.t) 30,000 Harper, Monk, McKennan
4R 29 January 1949 Torquay United H 1–0 24,500 McKennan
5R 12 February 1949 Burnley H 4–2 34,000 McKennan (2), Gibbons, Monk
6R26 February 1949Leicester City H0–2 38,678

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1948–49 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Joe Crozier Scotland 2 December 1914 (aged 33) East Fife 1937
GK Ted Gaskell England 19 December 1916 (aged 31) Buxton 1937
Defenders
DF Bill Gorman Republic of Ireland 13 January 1911 (aged 37) Bury 1938
DF Malky MacDonald Scotland 26 October 1913 (aged 34) Kilmarnock 1946 Coach
DF Roddy Munro Scotland 27 July 1920 (aged 28) Rangers 1946
DF Wally Quinton England 13 December 1917 (aged 30) Birmingham City 1949
Midfielders
HB Ron Greenwood England 11 November 1921 (aged 26) Bradford Park Avenue 1949
HB Tom Manley England 7 October 1912 (aged 35) Manchester United 1939
HB David Nelson Scotland 3 February 1918 (aged 30) Fulham 1947
HB George Paterson Scotland 26 September 1914 (aged 33) Celtic 1946
HB Alan Smith England 15 October 1921 (aged 26) Arsenal 1946
Forwards
FW Peter Buchanan Scotland 13 October 1915 (aged 32) Fulham 1947
FW Billy Dare England 14 February 1927 (aged 21) Hendon 1948
FW Jackie Gibbons England 10 April 1914 (aged 34) Bradford Park Avenue 1947 Manager
FW Dickie Girling England 24 May 1922 (aged 26) Crystal Palace 1947
FW Tony Harper England 26 May 1925 (aged 23) Headington United 1948
FW Peter McKennan Scotland 16 July 1918 (aged 30) Leicester City 1948
FW Doug Keene England 30 August 1928 (aged 19) Kingsbury Town 1946
FW Fred Monk England 9 October 1920 (aged 27) Guildford City 1948
FW Viv Woodward Wales 25 May 1914 (aged 34) Millwall 1948
Players who left the club mid-season
HB Jack Chisholm (c) England 9 October 1924 (aged 23) Tottenham Hotspur 1947 Transferred to Sheffield United
HB Paddy Harris Republic of Ireland 20 February 1918 (aged 30) Notts County 1948 Released
FW Alec Blakeman England 1 April 1922 (aged 26) Oxford City 1946 Transferred to Sheffield United

Coaching staff

Harry Curtis (21 August 1948 – 14 February 1949)

Name Role
England Harry Curtis Manager
Scotland Jimmy Bain Assistant Manager
Scotland Malky MacDonald Coach
England Jack Cartmell Trainer

Jackie Gibbons (15 February – 7 May 1949)

Name Role
England Jackie Gibbons Manager
Scotland Jimmy Bain Assistant Manager
Scotland Malky MacDonald Coach
England Jack Cartmell Trainer
England Harry Curtis Advisory Manager

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Scotland Joe Crozier 41 0 4 0 45 0
GK England Ted Gaskell 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF Republic of Ireland Bill Gorman 42 0 4 0 46 0
DF Scotland Malky MacDonald 30 0 4 0 34 0
DF Scotland Roddy Munro 13 0 0 0 13 0
DF England Wally Quinton 1 0 — 1 0
HB England Jack Chisholm 30 1 4 0 34 1
HB England Ron Greenwood 12 0 — 12 0
HB Republic of IrelandPaddy Harris 40— 40
HB EnglandTom Manley 4234 0463
HB Scotland David Nelson 40 2 4 0 44 2
HB Scotland George Paterson 6 0 0 0 6 0
HB England Alan Smith 3 1 0 0 3 1
FW England Alec Blakeman 9 1 — 9 1
FW Scotland Peter Buchanan 34 5 4 0 38 5
FW England Billy Dare 13 4 0 0 13 4
FW England Jackie Gibbons 15 3 2 1 17 4
FW England Dickie Girling 24 2 2 0 26 2
FW England Tony Harper 19 0 2 1 21 1
FW England Doug Keene 12 1 2 0 14 1
FW Scotland Peter McKennan 24 6 4 3 28 9
FW England Fred Monk 37 11 4 2 41 13
FW Wales Viv Woodward 10 1 0 0 10 1
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[7]

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL2 FAC Total
FW England Fred Monk 11 2 13
FW Scotland Peter McKennan 6 3 9
FW Scotland Peter Buchanan 5 0 5
FW England Billy Dare 4 0 4
FW England Jackie Gibbons 3 1 4
HB England Tom Manley 3 0 3
FW England Dickie Girling 2 0 2
HB Scotland David Nelson 2 0 2
FW England Alec Blakeman 1 — 1
HB England Jack Chisholm 1 0 1
FW England Doug Keene 1 0 1
HB England Alan Smith 1 0 1
FW Wales Viv Woodward 1 0 1
FW England Tony Harper 0 1 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total42850
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[7]

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis England 21 August 1948 14 February 1949 30 11 9 10 036.67 27 8 9 10 029.63
Jackie Gibbons England 15 February 1949 7 May 1949 16 3 5 8 018.75 15 3 5 7 020.00

Summary

Games played46 (42 Second Division, 4 FA Cup)
Games won14 (11 Second Division, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn14 (14 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost18 (17 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored50 (42 Second Division, 8 FA Cup)
Goals conceded59 (53 Second Division, 6 FA Cup)
Clean sheets17 (16 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win8–2 versus Bury, 19 February 1949
Worst league defeat3–0 on two occasions
Most appearances46, Bill Gorman, Tom Manley (42 Second Division, 4 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)11, Fred Monk
Top scorer (all competitions)13, Fred Monk

Transfers & loans

Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1948 FW England Les Devonshire England Queens Park Rangers n/a [3]
July 1948 FW Wales Viv Woodward England Millwall Free [1]
August 1948 HB Republic of Ireland Paddy Harris England Notts County n/a [2]
September 1948 FW England Jimmy Anders England Preston North End n/a [4]
September 1948 FW England Micky Bull n/a n/a [5]
September 1948 FW Scotland Peter McKennan England Leicester City £8,000 [3]
November 1948 FW England Billy Dare England Hendon n/a [6]
1948 FW England Jim Towers n/a n/a [15]
February 1949 HB England Ron Greenwood England Bradford Park Avenue £9,000 [12]
April 1949 FW England Jackie Goodwin England Birmingham City £3,500 [16]
April 1949 DF England Wally Quinton England Birmingham City £3,500 [16]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
May 1948 DF England Harry Oliver England Watford £2,000 [17]
September 1948 n/a Scotland Tommy Connors Scotland Celtic n/a [18]
November 1948 FW England Alec Blakeman England Middlesbrough n/a [19]
November 1948 FW Scotland Tommy Dougall England Sunderland n/a [20]
March 1949 HB England Jack Chisholm England Sheffield United £16,000 [13]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
1949 HB Republic of Ireland Paddy Harris Retired [2]
May 1949 FW Scotland Peter Buchanan England Headington United 1949 [5]
May 1949 GK Scotland Joe Crozier England Chelmsford City 1949 [21]
May 1949 FW England Les Devonshire England Wealdstone 1949 [22]
May 1949 FW England Jackie Gibbons Retired [23]
May 1949 FW England Robert Sherwood England Queens Park Rangers May 1949 [24]

References

  1. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 171.
  2. 1 2 3 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 72.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 White 1989, p. 190-193.
  4. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 11.
  5. 1 2 3 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 30.
  6. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 380. ISBN 0951526200.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1948-1949 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Football Club History Database – Brentford". www.fchd.info. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 62. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  11. ↑ Haynes 1998, p. 14.
  12. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 70.
  13. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 36-37.
  14. ↑ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  15. ↑ Lane, David (2005). Cult Bees & Legends: Volume Two. Hampton Hill: Legends Publishing. pp. 118–129. ISBN 0954368282.
  16. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 67.
  17. ↑ "Watford Football Club archive 1881–2016: Players – O'Brien to Patching" (PDF). Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  18. ↑ "Scottish Football Historical Archive – C". p. 137. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  19. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 21.
  20. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 49-50.
  21. ↑ "Barry Hugman's Footballers – Joe Crozier". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Les Devonshire". 7 March 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  23. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 64.
  24. ↑ "QPRnet – Seasonal Stats – 1949–50". Retrieved 9 May 2018.
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