1958–59 Brentford F.C. season

Brentford
1958–59 season
Chairman Frank Davis
Manager Malky MacDonald
Stadium Griffin Park
Third Division 3rd
FA Cup Fourth round
Top goalscorer League: Towers (32)
All: Towers (37)
Highest home attendance 28,725
Lowest home attendance 9,432
Average home league attendance 13,924

During the 1958–59 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. Despite 32 goals from Jim Towers and 22 from George Francis, a number of defeats to low-placed clubs early in the season prevented the Bees from finishing higher than 3rd, one place away from promotion.

Season summary

Brentford entered the 1958–59 Third Division season full of confidence after a runners-up finish in 1957–58.[1] Manager Malky MacDonald, who had utilised the core players left behind by previous manager Bill Dodgin Sr,[1] decided not to add to his squad and instead planned for the future by bringing in a number of Scottish youngsters.[2] Brentford began the season with a resounding 4–0 victory over Bradford City, hitting top spot, but dropped back after three consecutive defeats.[3] By the time the Bees drew 1–1 with Chesterfield on 4 October 1958, the team's inconsistency could be clearly pointed to a lack of support for forwards Jim Towers and George Francis, who had scored 13 of the team's 17 goals by that point of the season.[1] In response, manager MacDonald paid £6,000 for Luton Town's outside left George McLeod.[1] Things had to get worse before they could get better and after defeats to Stockport County and Reading in late October, the team recovered and began to perform on a consistent basis.[3]

Brentford had a morale-boosting run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, seeing off Exeter City, King's Lynn and Barnsley on the way to a 2–0 defeat versus First Division club West Bromwich Albion in front of 41,440 at The Hawthorns.[3] The Bees established themselves as promotion contenders after a 6–0 win over Southampton at The Dell on 9 March 1959 (which set a new club record for biggest away Football League win),[4] but Jim Towers' four goals in the victory and total so far for the season of 29 led to a £20,000 transfer bid from Second Division club Sheffield Wednesday, which was ultimately unsuccessful.[1] Three victories and two draws from the following five matches (which included a win and a draw versus leaders Plymouth Argyle) saw Brentford increase their grip on 3rd place in the table,[3] though at a cost to season-ending injuries to Ian Dargie and Len Newcombe.[1] Defeats in crucial matches versus fellow promotion challengers Norwich City and Hull City in early April effectively ended the Bees' promotion charge, but the team won three and drew two of the next five matches (scoring 12 goals and conceding just once),[3] even after the club's hopes of promotion were mathematically extinguished with two matches left to play.[5] The season ended with a 4–0 defeat to 4th-place Norwich City at Griffin Park.[3]

Jim Towers' 37 goals scored in all competitions during the season was just two goals shy of Jack Holliday's club record of 39, set at the same level of football in 1932–33.[1] Towers' strike partner George Francis also finished amongst the top scorers in the Third Division with 22 goals and 24 in all competitions.[6] Brentford finished the 1958–59 season with the best defensive record in the Third Division, conceding only 49 goals and also conceding the fewest away goals (27).[5] A new club record for most league away draws (10) was set during the season and the club record for fewest goalscorers in a season was equalled.[7][8]

League table

Pos Team Pld Home Away F A GA GD Pts
W D L F A W D L F A
1Plymouth Argyle4614725527995343289591.508+3062
2Hull City46193165217610253490551.636+3561
3Brentford46155349226107272776491.551+2757
4Norwich City4613645129977383389621.435+2757
5Colchester United4615264631689253671671.060+452
6Reading46164351215414274278631.238+1550
7Tranmere Rovers46153553226512294582671.224+1550
8Southend United46146352267214335485801.063+550
9Halifax Town46145448257313325280771.039+350
10Bury46129251245513183469581.190+1148
11Bradford City46134647255711375184761.105+847
12Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic46129240185315295169691.000±046
13Queens Park Rangers46146349285216254974770.961–346
14Southampton46127457335414314788801.100+845
15Swindon Town46134639253911203259571.035+245
16Chesterfield46125640265513273867641.047+344
17Newport County46152643242714264469681.015+143
18Wrexham46126540302813234763770.818–1442
19Accrington Stanley46108542315414295671870.816–1642
20Mansfield Town46115738423812355673980.745–2541
21Stockport County4697733234316325565780.833–1336
22Doncaster Rovers46132840321319105850900.556–4033
23Notts County4659933393416225755960.573–4129
24Rochdale4687821260518165337790.468–4228

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 Third Division

No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 25 August 1958Bradford CityH4–0 15,749Towers (2), Francis (2)
2 28 August 1958Doncaster Rovers A0–1 10,654
3 30 August 1958WrexhamA1–2 16,905Towers
4 2 September 1958Doncaster RoversH0–1 14,845
5 6 September 1958SouthamptonH2–0 12,997Francis, Towers
6 9 September 1958Mansfield Town H2–0 13,625Towers (2)
7 12 September 1958Accrington StanleyA1–1 9,918Rainford
8 15 September 1958Mansfield TownA1–1 9,159Towers
9 20 September 1958Halifax TownH2–0 12,643Francis, Heath
10 22 September 1958Hull CityA1–3 14,172Heath
11 27 September 1958Newport CountyA1–0 8,220Francis
12 30 September 1958Hull CityH1–1 12,441Towers
13 4 October 1958ChesterfieldH1–1 12,473Heath
14 9 October 1958Notts CountyA0–0 4,381
15 11 October 1958Tranmere RoversA2–1 12,325Towers, Rainford
16 18 October 1958Stockport County H1–4 12,488Towers
17 25 October 1958Reading A1–3 16,186Towers
18 1 November 1958Colchester UnitedH2–1 11,945Towers, Heath
19 8 November 1958Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–0 11,564
20 22 November 1958Queens Park RangersA2–1 13,784Drinkwater (og), Towers
21 29 November 1958BuryH0–0 11,741
22 13 December 1958RochdaleH2–1 9,432Towers, Dargie
23 20 December 1958Bradford City A0–3 11,473
24 25 December 1958Swindon TownH2–2 12,504McLeod, Francis
25 26 December 1958Swindon TownA1–1 12,690Francis
26 3 January 1959WrexhamH2–1 11,723Francis (2)
27 31 January 1959Accrington Stanley H2–1 11,260Francis, Towers
28 7 February 1959Halifax TownA0–0 4,654
29 14 February 1959Newport CountyH3–0 10,392McLeod, Bristow, Towers
30 21 February 1959ChesterfieldA2–1 9,649Francis, Towers (pen)
31 28 February 1959Tranmere RoversH5–2 13,138Towers (2), Francis, Rainford (2)
32 7 March 1959Stockport CountyA1–1 7,973Towers (pen)
33 9 March 1959Southampton A6–0 7,756McLeod, Towers (4), Francis
34 14 March 1959 Reading H 3–1 18,209 Francis (2), Rainford
35 21 March 1959Colchester UnitedA4–0 8,775Francis (2), McLeod, Towers
36 27 March 1959 Plymouth Argyle H 3–0 28,725 Towers, Rainford, Francis
37 28 March 1959Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH1–1 15,970McLeod
38 30 March 1959Plymouth ArgyleA1–1 27,073Parsons
39 4 April 1959Norwich City A1–4 27,870Francis
40 8 April 1959Southend UnitedA0–2 9,022
41 11 April 1959Queens Park RangersH1–0 15,905Rainford
42 18 April 1959 Bury A 1–1 7,092 Towers
43 21 April 1959Notts CountyH4–0 11,738Francis, Towers (3, 2 pens)
44 25 April 1959 Southend United H 6–1 11,264 Rainford, Francis (2), Towers (2), Williamson (og)
45 27 April 1959RochdaleA0–0 2,191
46 30 April 1959Norwich City H0–4 19,035

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 15 November 1958 Exeter City H 3–2 14,600 Towers, Francis, Rainford
2R 6 December 1958 King's Lynn H 3–1 14,100 Towers (3)
3R 10 January 1959 Barnsley H 2–0 16,890 Towers, Francis
4R24 January 1959West Bromwich Albion A0–2 41,440

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1958–59 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread England 1 April 1936 (aged 22) Youth 1954
GK Sonny Feehan Republic of Ireland 17 September 1926 (aged 31) Northampton Town 1954
Defenders
DF Ken Horne England 25 June 1926 (aged 32) Blackpool 1950
DF Tom Wilson (c) England 3 July 1930 (aged 28) Fulham 1957
Midfielders
HB George Bristow England 25 June 1933 (aged 25) Youth 1950
HB Ken Coote England 19 May 1928 (aged 30) Wembley 1949
HB Ian Dargie England 3 October 1931 (aged 26) Tonbridge 1952
HB Billy Goundry England 28 March 1934 (aged 24) Huddersfield Town 1955
HB Ron Peplow England 4 May 1935 (aged 23) Southall 1955
HB Sid Russell England 4 October 1937 (aged 20) Jolly X 1956
Forwards
FW John Caven Scotland 6 July 1934 (aged 24) Kilmarnock 1957
FW George Francis England 4 February 1934 (aged 24) Youth 1955
FW Johnny Hales Scotland 15 May 1940 (aged 18) St Roch's 1958
FW Dennis Heath England 28 September 1934 (aged 23) Youth 1954
FW Billy Horn Scotland 13 May 1938 (aged 20) Kilmarnock 1958 Amateur
FW George McLeod Scotland 30 November 1932 (aged 25) Luton Town 1958
FW Len Newcombe Wales 28 February 1931 (aged 27) Fulham 1956
FW Eric Parsons England 9 November 1923 (aged 34) Chelsea 1956
FW Johnny Rainford England 11 December 1930 (aged 27) Cardiff City 1953
FW Jim Towers England 15 April 1933 (aged 25) Youth 1954

Coaching staff

Name Role
Scotland Malky MacDonald Manager
England Fred Monk Trainer
England Jack Holliday Assistant Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Gerry Cakebread 45 0 4 0 49 0
GK Republic of Ireland Sonny Feehan 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Ken Horne 45 0 3 0 48 0
DF England Tom Wilson 46 0 4 0 50 0
HB England George Bristow 37 1 4 0 41 1
HB England Ken Coote 44 0 4 0 48 0
HB England Ian Dargie 37 1 4 0 41 1
HB England Billy Goundry 12 0 1 0 13 0
HB England Ron Peplow 7 0 0 0 7 0
HB England Sid Russell 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW Scotland John Caven 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW England George Francis 45 22 4 2 49 24
FW Scotland Johnny Hales 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW England Dennis Heath 25 4 4 0 29 4
FW ScotlandBilly Horn 100 010
FW Scotland George McLeod 29 5 4 0 33 5
FW Wales Len Newcombe 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW England Eric Parsons 34 1 0 0 34 1
FW England Johnny Rainford 46 8 4 1 50 9
FW England Jim Towers 46 32 4 5 50 37
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[6]

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW England Jim Towers 32 5 37
FW England George Francis 22 2 24
FW England Johnny Rainford 8 1 9
FW Scotland George McLeod 5 0 5
FW England Dennis Heath 4 0 4
HB England George Bristow 1 0 1
HB England Ian Dargie 1 0 1
FW England Eric Parsons 1 0 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total76884
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[6]

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Malky MacDonald Scotland 25 August 1958 30 April 1959 50 24 15 11 048.00 46 21 15 10 045.65

Summary

Games played50 (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup)
Games won24 (21 Third Division, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn15 (15 Third Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost11 (10 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored84 (76 Third Division, 8 FA Cup)
Goals conceded54 (49 Third Division, 5 FA Cup)
Clean sheets17 (16 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win6–0 versus Southampton, 9 March 1959
Worst league defeat4–0 versus Norwich City, 30 April 1959
Most appearances50, Johnny Rainford, Tom Wilson (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)32, Jim Towers
Top scorer (all competitions)37, Jim Towers

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
August 1958 HB Scotland James Lafferty n/a n/a [10]
6 September 1958 HB Scotland Charlie McInally Scotland St Roch's n/a [2]
September 1958 FW Scotland Johnny Hales Scotland St Roch's n/a [11]
25 October 1958 FW Scotland Billy Horn Scotland Kilmarnock Amateur [2]
October 1958 FW Scotland George McLeod England Luton Town £6,000 [12]
1958 DF England Peter Gelson n/a n/a [13]
10 January 1959 FW Scotland George Summers Scotland Shawfield n/a [14]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
June 1958 FW England John Pearson England Queens Park Rangers n/a [15]
December 1958 HB England Len Roe England Yiewsley n/a [16]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
April 1958 FW Scotland John Caven n/a n/a [17]
April 1958 FW Republic of Ireland Sonny Feehan England Headington United n/a [18]
April 1958 FW Republic of Ireland Christy Fletcher England Peterborough United n/a [19]
April 1958 FW Scotland Billy Horn Scotland Kilmarnock n/a [20]
April 1958 DF England George Lowden England Yiewsley n/a [21]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 White 1989, p. 229-232.
  2. 1 2 3 "1958 – Scottish Football Historical Archive".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1958-1959 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Haynes 1998, p. 17.
  5. 1 2 Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Table on Saturday 25th April 1959 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 385. ISBN 0951526200.
  7. ↑ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 78-79. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  8. ↑ White 1989, p. 62.
  9. ↑ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  10. ↑ "Scottish Football Historical Archive: Scottish League appearance records – L". p. 366.
  11. ↑ "Barry Hugman's Footballers – John Hales". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 107.
  13. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 63-64.
  14. ↑ "1959 – Scottish Football Historical Archive".
  15. ↑ "Barry Hugman's Footballers – John Pearson". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  16. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 136-137.
  17. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 35.
  18. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 55.
  19. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 58.
  20. ↑ "Barry Hugman's Footballers – William Horn". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  21. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 98.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.