1911–12 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1911–12 English football season, Brentford competed in the Southern League First Division. A forgettable season saw the club finish in mid-table and advance to the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Brentford
1911–12 season
ChairmanH. Jason-Saunders
Secretary ManagerFred Halliday
StadiumGriffin Park
Southern League First Division14th
FA CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: Rippon (17)
All: Rippon (20)
Highest home attendance9,627
Lowest home attendance1,475

Season summary
Cricketing-outside left Patsy Hendren returned to Brentford in 1911 and would remain until his retirement in 1927.

Brentford secretary-manager Fred Halliday strengthened his squad in preparation for the 1911–12 Southern League First Division season, bringing in left back Walter Spratt, outside right Billy Brawn, inside forward Patsy Hendren and centre forward Thomas Graham.[1][2][3][4] He would later sign forwards Fred Rouse and Willis Rippon in a bid to improve the team's goalscoring,[5][6] with Rippon going on to finish the season as top-scorer with 20 goals.[4] Full back Steve Buxton was sold to Oldham Athletic on the eve of the season for a £425 fee, in a bid to settle some of the club's debts.[7] The sale of Geordie Reid to Clyde for a club record £500 fee in September 1911 helped pay off further debts.[7]

Brentford finished the season in 14th place and advanced to the first round proper of the FA Cup,[8] taking Crystal Palace to a replay before going out of the competition.[9] The 9–0 league defeat to Coventry City on 27 December 1911 is the heaviest in club history.[10]

League table
Main article: 1911–12 Southern Football League § Division One
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
12 Norwich City 38 10 14 14 40 60 0.667 34
13 West Ham United 38 13 7 18 64 69 0.928 33
14 Brentford 38 12 9 17 60 65 0.923 33
15 Exeter City 38 11 11 16 48 62 0.774 33
16 Southampton 38 10 11 17 46 63 0.730 31
Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used until the 1976-77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Southern League First Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
1 2 September 1911ReadingA0–07,000
2 6 September 1911Brighton & Hove AlbionA2–0n/aSibbald (2)
3 9 September 1911Watford H4–27,344Reid (3), Graham
4 16 September 1911New BromptonA1–25,000Sibbald
5 23 September 1911Exeter City H3–17,400Hendren (2), Sibbald
6 30 September 1911Luton TownH0–15,700
7 7 October 1911Queens Park RangersA0–414,000
8 14 October 1911MillwallH3–37,000Graham, Brawn, Hendren
9 21 October 1911West Ham United A4–76,000Rippon (3), Hendren
10 28 October 1911Bristol Rovers H2–25,000Brawn, Rippon
11 4 November 1911Swindon TownA0–2n/a
12 11 November 1911Northampton TownH2–25,000
13 25 November 1911StokeH0–1n/a
14 9 December 1911Leyton H2–0n/aRippon, Rouse
15 16 December 1911Norwich CityA0–25,000
16 23 December 1911Crystal Palace H1–05,000Sibbald
17 25 December 1911SouthamptonH4–09,627Graham (2), Sibbald (2)
18 26 December 1911SouthamptonA2–36,000Rouse, Sibbald
19 27 December 1911Coventry CityA0–9n/a
20 30 December 1911ReadingH0–04,000
21 6 January 1912WatfordA0–3n/a
22 20 January 1912New BromptonH7–13,000Rippon (3), Rouse (2), Hendren (2)
23 27 January 1912Exeter CityA0–15,000
24 3 February 1912Luton TownA0–0n/a
25 10 February 1912Queens Park RangersH1–29,450Rouse
26 17 February 1912MillwallA0–2n/a
27 2 March 1912Bristol RoversA3–14,000McTavish, Rippon (2)
28 16 March 1912Northampton Town A3–65,000McTavish, Rippon (2)
29 23 March 1912Brighton & Hove AlbionH1–12,503Sibbald
30 27 March 1912West Ham UnitedH1–23,000Sibbald
31 30 March 1912StokeA1–16,000Sibbald
32 5 April 1912Plymouth Argyle H4–08,795Sibbald, Rippon (2), McTavish
33 6 April 1912Coventry CityH3–05,453Brawn (2), McTavish
34 8 April 1912Plymouth ArgyleA0–13,000
35 13 April 1912LeytonA1–12,000McTavish
36 20 April 1912Norwich CityH3–04,000McTavish, Wolstenholme (og), Rippon
37 24 April 1912Swindon TownH2–0n/aRippon (2, 1 pen)
38 27 April 1912Crystal Palace A0–24,000

FA Cup
Main article: 1911–12 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
QR5 18 November 1911 First Battalion King's Royal Rifles H 1–1 1,475 Hendren
QR5 (replay) 22 November 1911 First Battalion King's Royal Rifles A 4–1 2,600 Hendren, Rippon (3) [nb 1]
QR6 2 December 1911 Southend United A 1–0 3,500 Brawn
R1 13 January 1912 Crystal Palace H 0–0 8,916
R1 (replay)17 January 1912Crystal Palace A0–4 9,000
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[4]

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1911–12 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Archie Ling (1881-03-14)14 March 1881 (aged 30) Swindon Town 1909
Defenders
DF Arthur Cleverley (1885-03-28)28 March 1885 (aged 26) Unattached 1911
DF Dusty Rhodes (c) (1882-08-16)16 August 1882 (aged 29) Sunderland 1908
DF Walter Spratt (1889-04-14)14 April 1889 (aged 22) Rotherham Town 1911
Midfielders
HB W. Allen n/a n/a 1911
HB Alec Barclay (1885-11-01)1 November 1885 (aged 25) Ilford 1910 Amateur
HB Jock Hamilton (1879-02-28)28 February 1879 (aged 32) Leeds City 1909
HB William Hickleton (1882-05-12)12 May 1882 (aged 29) Coventry City 1911 On loan from Coventry City
HB George Kennedy (1882-03-12)12 March 1882 (aged 29) Chelsea 1910
HB Phil Richards (1884-02-19)19 February 1884 (aged 27) Bradford Park Avenue 1908
Forwards
FW George Anderson (1879-11-29)29 November 1879 (aged 31) Birmingham 1909
FW Billy Brawn (1878-08-01)1 August 1878 (aged 33) Chelsea 1911
FW Willie Furr (1891-07-22)22 July 1891 (aged 20) Hitchin Town 1912
FW Thomas Graham (1887-07-20)20 July 1887 (aged 24) Castleford Town 1911
FW Patsy Hendren (1889-02-05)5 February 1889 (aged 22) Coventry City 1911 Played when his cricket commitments allowed
FW Henry Purver (1891-05-03)3 May 1891 (aged 20) Oxford City 1911 Amateur
FW Willis Rippon (1888-12-02)2 December 1888 (aged 22) Woolwich Arsenal 1911
FW Jack Sibbald (1890-09-12)12 September 1890 (aged 20) Wallsend Elm Villa 1910
FW Charles Symes (1888-03-13)13 March 1888 (aged 23) South Tooting 1912
FW Bob McTavish (1888-10-26)26 October 1888 (aged 22) Tottenham Hotspur 1912
Players who left the club mid-season
GK Harry Furr (1887-01-13)13 January 1887 (aged 24) Croydon Common 1911 Transferred to Croydon Common
FW Geordie Reid (1882-01-30)30 January 1882 (aged 29) Bradford Park Avenue 1908 Transferred to Clyde
FW Fred Rouse (1881-11-28)28 November 1881 (aged 29) Croydon Common 1911 Retired
  • Source: Brentford Football Club Official Handbook 1911–12,[11] 100 Years Of Brentford,[4] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[12]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Fred Halliday Secretary Manager
Tom Cowper Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Southern League season.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Harry Furr 6 0 2 0 8 0
GK Archie Ling 32030350
DF Arthur Cleverley 1400 0140
DF Dusty Rhodes 29050340
DF Walter Spratt 3105 0360
HB W. Allen 200 020
HB Alec Barclay 2803 0310
HB Jock Hamilton 2205 0270
HB George Kennedy 28 0 4 0 32 0
HB Phil Richards 12030150
FW George Anderson 2013 0231
FW Billy Brawn 34451395
FW Willie Furr 200 020
FW Thomas Graham 1541 0164
FW Patsy Hendren 32452376
FW Bob McTavish 126—126
FW Henry Purver 200 020
FW Geordie Reid 4 3 — 4 3
FW Willis Rippon 24 17 5 3 29 20
FW Fred Rouse 1552 0175
FW Jack Sibbald 2912403312
FW Charles Symes 10—10
Players loaned in during the season
HB William Hickleton 2410 0241
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[4]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player SL1 FAC Total
FW Willis Rippon 17 3 20
FW Jack Sibbald 12 0 12
FW Bob McTavish 6 — 6
FW Patsy Hendren 4 2 6
FW Fred Rouse 5 0 5
FW Billy Brawn 4 1 5
FW Thomas Graham404
FW Geordie Reid 3 — 3
FW George Anderson 1 0 1
HB William Hickleton 1 0 1
Opponents 1 0 1
Total60666
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[4]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Fred Halliday 2 September 1911 27 April 1912 43 14 11 18 032.56|38 12 9 17 031.58

Summary
Games played47 (42 Southern League First Division, 5 FA Cup)
Games won14 (12 Southern League First Division, 2 FA Cup)
Games drawn11 (9 Southern League First Division, 2 FA Cup)
Games lost18 (17 Southern League First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored66 (60 Southern League First Division, 6 FA Cup)
Goals conceded71 (65 Southern League First Division, 6 FA Cup)
Clean sheets13 (11 Southern League First Division, 2 FA Cup)
Biggest league win7–1 versus New Brompton, 20 January 1912
Worst league defeat9–0 versus Coventry City, 27 December 1911
Most appearances39, Billy Brawn (34 Southern League First Division, 5 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)17, Willis Rippon
Top scorer (all competitions)20, Willis Rippon

Transfers & loans
Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
18 May 1911 FW Billy Brawn Chelsea n/a [13]
May 1911 FW Thomas Graham Castleford Town n/a [7]
May 1911 DF Walter Spratt Rotherham Town Free [1]
August 1911 GK J. Blackburn Tottenham Thursday Amateur [14]
August 1911 FW Patsy Hendren Coventry City n/a [15]
August 1911 FW Henry Purver Oxford City Amateur [7]
September 1911 FW Fred Rouse Chelsea n/a [6]
25 October 1911 FW Willis Rippon Woolwich Arsenal £200 [7]
October 1911 GK Harry Furr Croydon Common n/a [16]
1911 HB W. Allen n/a n/a [7]
1911 HB James Raw n/a n/a [17]
1911 HB T. Wicks n/a n/a [17]
February 1912 FW Willie Furr Hitchin Town n/a [18]
March 1912 FW Bob McTavish Tottenham Hotspur Nominal [7]
1912 FW Charles Symes South Tooting n/a [18]
Players loaned in
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Date to Ref.
August 1911 HB William Hickleton Coventry City End of season [7]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
August 1911 DF Steve Buxton Oldham Athletic £425 [7]
21 September 1911 FW Geordie Reid Clyde £500 [19]
March 1912 GK Harry Furr Croydon Common n/a [16]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
February 1912 FW Fred Rouse Retired [6]
May 1912 HB W. Allen n/a n/a [7]
May 1912 FW George Anderson Retired [7]
May 1912 GK Archie Ling Retired [7]

Notes
  1. Match played at Griffin Park due to the inadequacy of First Battalion King's Royal Rifles' ground.

References
  1. Handbook 1911, p. 25.
  2. Handbook 1911, p. 33.
  3. Handbook 1911, p. 34.
  4. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 361. ISBN 0951526200.
  5. "Willis Rippon | Arsenal.com". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  6. "Croydon Common FC – Biographies – Fred Rouse" (PDF). Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  7. White 1989, p. 97-99.
  8. "England – Southern League Final Tables". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  9. "Football Club History Database – F.A. Cup 1911–12". www.fchd.info. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  10. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 119. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  11. Brentford Football Club Official Handbook 1911–12. Richmond. p. 20.
  12. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  13. "Field, Road And River – Pars Of Interest To Sportsmen". County of Middlesex Independent. 20 May 1911.
  14. "Field, Road And River". County of Middlesex Independent. 5 August 1911.
  15. "Patsy Hendren". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  16. "Croydon Common FC – Biographies – Harry Furr" (PDF). Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  17. Brentford F.C. Club Handbook 1912–13.
  18. White 1989, p. 99-101.
  19. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
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