1973–74 Brentford F.C. season

Brentford
1973–74 season
Chairman Les Davey &
Walter Wheatley
(until January 1974)
Walter Wheatley
(January–March 1974)
Manager Mike Everitt
Stadium Griffin Park
Fourth Division 19th
FA Cup First round
League Cup First round
Top goalscorer League: Cross (17)
All: Cross (17)
Highest home attendance 8,717
Lowest home attendance 3,166
Average home league attendance 5,063

During the 1973–74 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. A dreadful season, marred by infighting at boardroom level, resulted in a 19th-place finish, Brentford's lowest in the Football League since the 1925–26 season.

Season summary

In the wake of Brentford's relegation straight back to the Fourth Division at the end of the previous season, manager Frank Blunstone, who had come to the end of his contract, left Griffin Park to take over as youth team manager at Manchester United.[1] Despite the relegation, fan support for Blunstone was high and the finger of blame pointed at the board of directors, with one letter to the Middlesex Chronicle summing up the situation that the board's penny-pinching ways since 1967 were "necessary for a couple of years or so, but timidity of this sort prompts me to believe that promotion last year was an unwelcome accident, which has now been rectified".[1] Brentford entered pre-season without a manager and training was taken by full back Alan Hawley and other senior professionals.[2] Eventually former Wimbledon player-manager Mike Everitt was appointed as manager, just seven days before the beginning of the season.[1] Everitt made no signings before the first match of the season and inherited a tiny 14-man squad, with backup goalkeeper Gary Towse being Brentford's only incoming transfer, signed two months earlier.[1]

With Brentford one place above the re-election zone after seven league matches,[3] manager Everitt began recruiting new players, including defender Gordon Riddick for a £4,000 fee and loanees Michael Brown and Hughie Reed.[1] The signings had no immediate impact and Brentford sank to the bottom of the Football League after a 4–1 defeat to Scunthorpe United at the Old Showground.[3] The loss meant that Brentford became the first club to occupy both first and last places in the Football League, having risen to top position during the early months of the 1937–38 season.[1] Behind the scenes, the Brentford board had split into two factions, with one side pushing for a move to a new stadium and the other half wishing to stay at Griffin Park.[1] Joint-chairmen Les Davey and Walter Wheatley were split on the matter and Wheatley became sole chairman of the club in January 1974,[2] though he would be ousted two months later.[1]

With Brentford still struggling on the field, midfielder Stewart Houston was sold to Manchester United in December 1973 for a club-record £50,000 fee, but the money was not immediately reinvested in the squad.[1] The disharmony in the boardroom also spread to the playing squad, with Paul Bence, Alan Nelmes, Jackie Graham, Barry Salvage and Paul Priddy requesting moves away, though ultimately none would depart Griffin Park.[4] A 10-match unbeaten run from mid-February through to early-April 1974 finally assured safety and youth products Richard Poole, Kevin Harding and Roy Cotton were able to be blooded,[3] though none of the trio would make more than a handful of senior appearances for the club.[1] Cambridge United forward Dave Simmonds and Bournemouth defender Jimmy Gabriel were brought in on transfer deadline day.[2] Brentford ended the season in 19th place, the club's lowest finish in the Football League since the 1925–26 season.[1] The average home league attendance of 5,063 was the lowest since the club joined the Football League in 1920.[5]

League table

Pos Team Pld Home Away F A GA GD Pts Notes
W D L F A W D L F A
1Peterborough United4619404910878262875381.974+3765
2Gillingham4616525116977393390491.837+4162
3Colchester United4616524614878272273362.028+3760
4Bury4618325114689303581491.653+3259
5Northampton Town46147239146611243463481.313+1553
6Reading46119337135108212458371.568+2151
7Chester46136431194910233654550.982–149
8Bradford City46147245203713133258521.115+648
9Newport County46136439233812174256650.862–945[nb 1]
10Exeter City45125637206313213558551.055+344[nb 2]
11Hartlepool46114829165810193148471.021+144
12Lincoln City46108540306413233763670.940–444
13Barnsley46155342162516164858640.906–644
14Swansea City46116628155513173145460.978–143
15Rotherham United46109433225414233656580.966–243
16Torquay United461175372321011153452570.912–543
17Mansfield Town46138247240914154562690.899–743
18Scunthorpe United45127333172516144747640.734–1742[nb 2]
19Brentford4697731203911173048500.960–240
20Darlington4698629244514113840620.645–2239
21Crewe Alexandra46115728303515154143710.606–2838
22Doncaster Rovers46107632222417155847800.588–3335
23Workington46108533261517104843740.581–3135
24Stockport County46412722253812224444690.638–2534

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

  1. ↑ Newport County had 1 point deducted for fielding an ineligible player.
  2. 1 2 Scunthorpe United vs Exeter City was never played; Exeter City failed to turn up and Scunthorpe were awarded 2 points for a win.
Key
Division Champions, promoted
Promoted
Re-elected

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Fourth Division

No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 25 August 1973HartlepoolA0–1 3,447
2 1 September 1973Exeter City H0–1 4,814
3 8 September 1973DarlingtonA2–1 2,287Woon, Cross
4 10 September 1973Torquay UnitedH0–0 5,581
5 15 September 1973Doncaster RoversH2–0 4,957Cross (2)
6 17 September 1973ReadingH0–1 8,717
7 22 September 1973BuryA0–3 4,329
8 29 September 1973BarnsleyH5–1 5,010Scales, Woon (2), Docherty, Metchick
9 3 October 1973ReadingA0–1 11,267
10 6 October 1973Lincoln CityA2–3 4,056Woon, Cross
11 13 October 1973Peterborough UnitedH0–1 6,141
12 20 October 1973Rotherham UnitedH1–1 4,419Webb
13 24 October 1973Torquay United A0–3 4,445
14 27 October 1973Scunthorpe United A1–4 2,523Cross
15 3 November 1973Mansfield TownH4–1 4,331Houston, Cross (3, 1 pen)
16 10 November 1973WorkingtonA2–0 970Woon, Riddick
17 12 November 1973Stockport CountyA1–1 1,948Riddick
18 17 November 1973Chester H3–0 5,166Cross (3)
19 1 December 1973Gillingham H0–3 5,748
20 8 December 1973Bradford CityA1–1 3,243Webb
21 15 December 1973DarlingtonH0–0 3,166
22 22 December 1973 Barnsley A 1–2 2,458 Cross
23 26 December 1973 Newport County H 1–1 5,445 Graham
24 1 January 1974Exeter CityA1–2 5,754Salvage
25 5 January 1974Swansea CityH0–2 3,501
26 12 January 1974Doncaster RoversA2–1 3,009Woon (2)
27 19 January 1974HartlepoolH1–2 4,646Allen
28 26 January 1974Crewe Alexandra A0–0 1,380
29 2 February 1974Northampton TownA0–0 4,130
30 9 February 1974BuryH1–2 4,015Cross
31 16 February 1974Peterborough UnitedA0–1 7,645
32 23 February 1974Lincoln CityH2–1 4,171Salvage, Cross
33 2 March 1974 Newport County A 1–1 2,167 Salvage
34 9 March 1974Scunthorpe UnitedH2–1 4,053Salvage, Allen
35 16 March 1974Rotherham UnitedA1–1 2,536Metchick
36 18 March 1974Northampton TownH3–1 3,686Cross, Simmons, Salvage
37 23 March 1974Workington H1–1 5,008Cross
38 26 March 1974Swansea CityA0–0 2,220
39 30 March 1974Mansfield Town A1–1 1,909Graham
40 1 April 1974Crewe AlexandraH3–0 5,552Cross, Metchick, Simmons
41 6 April 1974Stockport CountyH0–0 5,625
42 12 April 1974Colchester UnitedA1–2 8,155Simmons
43 13 April 1974 Chester A 0–0 2,775
44 16 April 1974Colchester UnitedH0–0 7,478
45 20 April 1974Bradford City H2–0 5,224Simmons, Poole
46 27 April 1974Gillingham A0–1 9,319

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer
1R24 November 1973Plymouth Argyle A1–2 11,050 Allen

Football League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer
1R28 August 1973Orient H1–2 6,620 Webb
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[6] The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,[7] Statto

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1973–74 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Paul Priddy England 11 July 1953 (aged 20) Maidenhead United 1972
GK Steve Sherwood England 10 December 1953 (aged 19) Chelsea 1973 On loan from Chelsea
Defenders
DF Michael Allen England 30 March 1949 (aged 24) Middlesbrough 1971
DF Paul Bence England 21 December 1948 (aged 24) Reading 1970 Loaned to Hillingdon Borough
DF Jimmy Gabriel Scotland 10 October 1940 (aged 32) Bournemouth 1974 Coach
DF Peter Gelson England 18 October 1941 (aged 31) Youth 1961
DF Alan Hawley England 7 June 1946 (aged 27) Youth 1962 Loaned to Hillingdon Borough and Aldershot
DF Gordon Riddick (c) England 6 November 1943 (aged 29) Northampton Town 1973
DF Terry Scales England 18 January 1951 (aged 22) West Ham United 1971
DF Gary Smith England 4 November 1955 (aged 17) Youth 1974
Midfielders
MF John Docherty Scotland 29 April 1940 (aged 33) Reading 1970 Assistant manager
MF Jackie Graham Scotland 16 July 1946 (aged 27) Guildford City 1970
MF Dave Metchick England 14 August 1943 (aged 30) Atlanta Apollos 1973
MF Alan Nelmes England 20 October 1948 (aged 24) Chelsea 1967
MF Barry Salvage England 21 December 1946 (aged 26) Queens Park Rangers 1973
Forwards
FW Roy Cotton England 14 November 1955 (aged 17) Youth 1973
FW Roger Cross England 20 October 1948 (aged 24) Fulham 1973
FW Kevin Harding England 19 March 1957 (aged 16) Youth 1974
FW Richard Poole England 3 July 1957 (aged 16) Youth 1974
FW Dave Simmons England 24 October 1948 (aged 24) Cambridge United 1974
FW Stan Webb England 6 December 1947 (aged 25) Carlisle United 1972
FW Andy Woon England 26 June 1952 (aged 21) Bognor Regis Town 1973
Players who left the club mid-season
GK Gary Towse England 14 May 1952 (aged 21) Crystal Palace 1973 Released
DF Michael Brown Wales 27 September 1951 (aged 21) Brighton & Hove Albion 1973 Returned to Brighton & Hove Albion after loan
MF Stewart Houston Scotland 20 August 1949 (aged 24) Chelsea 1972 Transferred to Manchester United
MF Hughie Reed Scotland 23 August 1950 (aged 23) Plymouth Argyle 1973 Returned to Plymouth Argyle after loan

Coaching staff

Name Role
England Mike Everitt Manager
Scotland John Docherty Assistant Manager
Scotland Jimmy Gabriel Coach
England Jess Willard Trainer, Chief Scout

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Substitute appearances in brackets.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Paul Priddy 25 0 1 0 1 0 27 0
GK England Gary Towse 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
DF England Michael Allen 27 (5) 2 0 (1) 1 1 0 26 (8) 3
DF England Paul Bence 30 0 0 0 1 0 31 0
DF Scotland Jimmy Gabriel 9 0 — — 9 0
DF England Peter Gelson 40 0 1 0 1 0 42 0
DF England Alan Hawley 22 0 0 0 1 0 23 0
DF England Gordon Riddick 26 (1) 2 1 0 — 27 (1) 2
DF England Terry Scales 33 1 1 0 1 0 35 1
MF Scotland John Docherty 13 (1) 1 1 0 0 0 14 (1) 1
MF Scotland Jackie Graham 31 2 1 0 0 0 32 2
MF Scotland Stewart Houston 23 1 1 0 1 0 25 1
MF England Dave Metchick 33 (1) 3 1 0 — 34 (1) 3
MF England Alan Nelmes 33 0 1 0 1 0 35 0
MF England Barry Salvage 37 5 0 0 1 0 38 5
FW England Roy Cotton 1 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1) 0
FW England Roger Cross 39 (2) 17 1 0 1 0 41 (2) 17
FW England Kevin Harding 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
FW England Richard Poole 5 (1) 1 0 0 0 0 5 (1) 1
FW England Dave Simmons 12 4 — — 12 4
FW England Stan Webb 13 (2) 2 0 0 1 1 14 (2) 3
FW England Andy Woon 24 (3) 7 1 0 0 (1) 0 25 (4) 7
Players loaned in during the season
GK England Steve Sherwood 16 0 — — 16 0
DF Wales Michael Brown 3 0 — — 3 0
MF Scotland Hughie Reed 3 (1) 0 — — 3 (1) 0
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[6]

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL4 FAC FLC Total
FW England Roger Cross 17 0 0 17
FW England Andy Woon 7 0 0 7
MF England Barry Salvage 5 0 0 5
FW England Dave Simmons 4 — — 4
MF England Dave Metchick 3 0 — 3
DF England Michael Allen 2 1 0 3
FW England Stan Webb 2 0 1 3
DF England Gordon Riddick 2 0 — 2
MF Scotland Jackie Graham 2 0 0 2
MF Scotland John Docherty 1 0 0 1
MF Scotland Stewart Houston 1 0 0 1
FW England Richard Poole 1 0 0 1
DF England Terry Scales 1 0 0 1
Total481 150
  • 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 %
Mike Everitt England 25 August 1973 27 April 1974 48 12 16 20 025.00 46 12 16 18 026.09

Summary

Games played48 (46 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Games won12 (12 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games drawn16 (16 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games lost20 (18 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored50 (48 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals conceded54 (50 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Clean sheets13 (13 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Biggest league win5–1 versus Barnsley, 29 September 1973
Worst league defeat3–0 on three occasions; 4–1 versus Scunthorpe United, 27 October 1973
Most appearances43, Roger Cross (41 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Top scorer (league)17, Roger Cross
Top scorer (all competitions)17, Roger Cross

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
June 1973 GK England Gary Towse England Crystal Palace Free [2]
September 1973 MF England Dave Metchick United States Atlanta Apollos Trial [2]
October 1973 DF England Gordon Riddick England Northampton Town £4,000 [2]
March 1974 DF Scotland Jimmy Gabriel England Bournemouth Free [2]
March 1974 FW England Dave Simmons England Cambridge United £12,000 [2]
Players loaned in
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
September 1973 DF Wales Michael Brown England Brighton & Hove Albion October 1973 [2]
October 1973 MF Scotland Hughie Reed England Plymouth Argyle November 1973 [2]
January 1974 GK England Steve Sherwood England Chelsea End of season [2]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
December 1973 MF Scotland Stewart Houston England Manchester United £50,000 [2]
1973 MF England David Jenkins England Hereford United Free [2]
Players loaned out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
December 1973 DF England Paul Bence England Hillingdon Borough December 1973 [2]
February 1974 DF England Alan Hawley England Hillingdon Borough February 1974 [2]
February 1974 DF England Alan Hawley England Aldershot March 1974 [2]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
January 1974 GK England Gary Towse South Africa Jewish Guild 1974 [2]
May 1974 FW England Roy Cotton England Orient July 1974 [10]
May 1974 MF Scotland John Docherty England Queens Park Rangers July 1974 [2]
May 1974 DF Scotland Jimmy Gabriel United States Seattle Sounders 1974 [2]
May 1974 DF England Alan Hawley England Hillingdon Borough 1974 [2]
May 1974 FW England Stan Webb England Darlington July 1974 [2]

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 White, p. 292-294.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 88-92.
  3. 1 2 3 "Brentford results for the 1973-1974 season - Statto.com". 12 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 78.
  5. ↑ White, p. 295.
  6. 1 2 3 White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 392. ISBN 0951526200.
  7. ↑ Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 80-87.
  8. ↑ Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. ISBN 978-1906796709.
  9. ↑ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  10. ↑ Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 108.
  11. 1 2 Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 295.
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