1918–19 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1918–19 English football season, Brentford competed in the London Combination, due to the cessation of competitive football for the duration of the First World War. Buoyed by larger crowds after the Armistice, Brentford finished the season as champions of the London Combination.

Brentford
1918–19 season
ChairmanH. Jason-Saunders
Secretary ManagerFred Halliday
StadiumGriffin Park
London Combination1st
London Victory CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: White (25)
All: White (26)
Highest home attendance15,000
Lowest home attendance3,000

Season summary
11 members of the Brentford squad line up prior to a match at Griffin Park during the season (left to right - Peart, Price, McGovern, Cock, Morley, Hendren, Baker, Hanney, Keenor, Amos, White).

Brentford entered the London Combination for the fourth consecutive season in 1918–19, for what would become the final campaign of wartime football during the First World War.[1] Just 11 contracted players would be available throughout the course of the season, which necessitated the use of a large number of guest players, the most notable of whom being future internationals Jackie Carr, Jack Cock and Fred Bullock (England), Fred Keenor (Wales) and Jack Doran (Ireland).[2] Cock, Henry White and Ted Hanney all played in an England trial match on 14 April 1919.[3]

A chronic lack of players saw Brentford win just one of the opening six matches of the season.[2] The turnaround came when Jack Cock returned team after settling a dispute, which if left unsettled, would have led him to play for Fulham during the season.[3] The Bees' forward line was immediately galvanised and the goals of Cock, Henry White and Fred Morley lead Brentford on a run of 11 wins in 14 matches in all competitions.[2] The Armistice of 11 November 1918 brought the war to a close and attendances began to rise, which coupled with the club only having to pay its players £2 a week plus expenses, meant that Brentford ended the season with a profit of £2,000 (£92,600 in 2020).[3]

Despite four draws in January 1919 and three losses in February (which included a second round defeat to Crystal Palace in the one-off London Victory Cup), a return to form and a 2–0 victory over nearest challengers Arsenal on 15 March put the Bees eight points clear at the top of the table with six matches left to play.[3] Aided by additional goals from Patsy Hendren and Royal Navy serviceman Billy Baker,[4] Brentford finished the season as champions,[2] marking the first time the club had finished top of a division since winning the Southern League Second Division title in 1900–01.[5] On 7 April, with three matches of the regular season to play, Brentford were invited to play a fundraising friendly match versus a 'Rest Of The Southern League XI' at The Den.[6] Brentford lost the match 2–1.[6]

One more former Brentford player died before the end of the war – Sapper Fred Alborough, who made three appearances as a guest in September and October 1918.[2] He died of influenza on 31 October 1918, just five days after his final Brentford appearance.[7] He had served with the Royal Engineers during the war.[8]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
1 Brentford 36 20 9 7 94 46 2.043 49
2 Arsenal 36 20 5 11 85 56 1.518 45
3 West Ham United 36 17 7 12 65 51 1.275 41
4 Fulham 36 17 6 13 70 55 1.273 40
5 Queens Park Rangers 36 16 7 13 69 60 1.150 39
Source: Football and the First World War

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

London Combination
No. DateOpponentVenueResultScorer(s)
1 7 September 1918West Ham UnitedH2–0Stanton, Amos (pen)
2 14 September 1918Tottenham HotspurA1–1Denyer
3 21 September 1918ChelseaH0–0
4 28 September 1918Arsenal A1–1White
5 5 October 1918Crystal PalaceH2–3Morley, Peart (pen)
6 12 October 1918Queens Park RangersA1–2Peart (pen)
7 19 October 1918Millwall H4–2White, Cock (2), Morley
8 26 October 1918Clapton Orient A2–1Cock (2)
9 2 November 1918West Ham UnitedA3–1Wright, Morley (2)
10 9 November 1918Tottenham HotspurH7–1Chalmers (2), Stanton, Cock (2), Morley (2)
11 16 November 1918ChelseaA2–2White, Cock
12 23 November 1918ArsenalH4–1Hendren (2, 1 pen), White, Cock
13 30 November 1918Crystal PalaceA4–0Cock (2), White (2)
14 7 December 1918Queens Park Rangers H5–1White (5)
15 14 December 1918Millwall A1–3Hendren
16 21 December 1918Clapton Orient H7–0White (3), Cock (2), Keenor, Chester
17 25 December 1918FulhamH2–1White, Hendren (pen)
18 26 December 1918FulhamA4–1Hendren, Cock (2), White
19 28 December 1918West Ham UnitedH3–1Morley, Keenor, White
20 4 January 1919Tottenham HotspurA1–1Cock
21 11 January 1919ChelseaH1–1Cock
22 18 January 1919ArsenalA3–3Baker, White, Cock
23 25 January 1919Crystal Palace H6–1Doran (2), Cock (3), Pick
24 1 February 1919Queens Park RangersA0–0
25 8 February 1919MillwallH2–1Hendren, Morley
26 15 February 1919FulhamA2–3Morley, Cock
27 22 February 1919West Ham UnitedA1–2White
28 1 March 1919Tottenham HotspurH4–1White (2), Morley (2)
29 8 March 1919ChelseaA4–1Morley, Baker (2), White
30 15 March 1919Arsenal H2–0White (2)
31 22 March 1919Crystal PalaceA3–2Peart (pen), Baker, Morley
32 29 March 1919Queens Park RangersH1–1Baker
33 5 April 1919MillwallA0–3
34 12 April 1919FulhamH5–0Cock (3), McGovern, White
35 18 April 1919Clapton OrientH2–0Morley, Baker
36 21 April 1919Clapton OrientA2–4White, Cock

London Victory Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Scorer(s)
R1 30 December 1918 Clapton Orient H 3–2 Cock, White (2)
R217 February 1919Crystal Palace H0–1
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1918–19 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Ted Price (1883-06-13)13 June 1883 (aged 35) Croydon Common 1912
Defenders
DF Alf Amos (1893-02-09)9 February 1893 (aged 25) Old Kingstonians 1913
DF Jack Peart (1884-10-13)13 October 1884 (aged 33) Croydon Common 1916
DF Dusty Rhodes (c) (1882-08-16)16 August 1882 (aged 36) Sunderland 1908
DF Bertie Rosier (1893-03-21)21 March 1893 (aged 25) Southall 1913
Midfielders
HB Tom McGovern (1888-11-11)11 November 1888 (aged 29) Halifax Town 1913
HB Bill Stanton (1890-05-09)9 May 1890 (aged 28) Watford 1917
Forwards
FW Billy Baker (1894-01-08)8 January 1894 (aged 24) Unattached 1918
FW Albert Chester (1886-03-17)17 March 1886 (aged 32) Millwall 1916
FW Patsy Hendren (1889-02-05)5 February 1889 (aged 29) Queens Park Rangers 1911 Played when his cricket commitments allowed
FW Fred Morley (1888-03-01)1 March 1888 (aged 30) Unattached 1918
FW Henry White (1895-08-08)8 August 1895 (aged 23) Whamcliffe Athletic 1913
Guest players
GK Jimmy Morris n/a Clapton Orient 1918 Guest from Clapton Orient
GK Fred Pickup n/a Bury 1918 Guest from Bury
DF Fred Bullock (1886-07-01)1 July 1886 (aged 32) Huddersfield Town 1918 Guest from Huddersfield Town
HB Jimmy Brandham 1890 (aged 27–28) Fulham 1918 Guest from Fulham
HB John Green September 1894 (aged 23–24) Wolverhampton Wanderers 1918 Guest from Wolverhampton Wanderers
HB Ted Hanney (1889-01-19)19 January 1889 (aged 29) Manchester City 1918 Guest from Manchester City
HB J. James n/a n/a n/a 1918 Guest
HB Fred Keenor (1894-07-31)31 July 1894 (aged 24) Cardiff City 1918 Guest from Cardiff City
HB Parsons n/a n/a n/a 1918 Guest
HB Maurice Woodward (1891-10-12)12 October 1891 (aged 26) Southend United 1918 Guest from Southend United
HB E. J. Wright n/a Hampstead Town 1918 Amateur, guest from Hampstead Town
FW Fred Alborough 1892 (aged 25–26) Unattached 1918 Guest
FW Jackie Carr (1892-11-26)26 November 1892 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1919 Guest from Middlesbrough
FW David Chalmers (1891-07-22)22 July 1891 (aged 27) Grimsby Town 1918 Guest from Grimsby Town
FW Jack Cock (1893-11-14)14 November 1893 (aged 24) Huddersfield Town 1918 Guest from Huddersfield Town
FW Bertie Denyer (1893-04-09)9 April 1893 (aged 25) Swindon Town 1918 Guest from Swindon Town
FW Jack Doran (1896-01-03)3 January 1896 (aged 22) Coventry City 1919 Guest from Coventry City
FW J. Gillies n/a n/a Unattached 1918 Guest
FW Charles Hibbert 1894 (aged 23–24) Uxbridge 1919 Guest from Uxbridge
FW Harry Lappin (1879-01-16)16 January 1879 (aged 39) Unattached 1918 Guest
FW W. Pick n/a n/a n/a 1919 Guest
FW Wilcox n/a n/a n/a 1918 Guest
FW Dick Wynn 1892 (aged 25–26) Middlesbrough 1918 Guest from Middlesbrough
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[2] Timeless Bees,[9] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[10]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Fred Halliday Secretary Manager
Dusty Rhodes Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the London Combination season.
Pos Nat Name League Victory Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Ted Price 26020280
DF Alf Amos 13110141
DF Jack Peart 25 3 2 0 27 3
DF Dusty Rhodes 140—140
DF Bertie Rosier 20—20
HB Tom McGovern 2612 0281
HB Bill Stanton 29220312
FW Billy Baker 26620286
FW Albert Chester 5 1 — 5 1
FW Patsy Hendren 2762 0296
FW Fred Morley 31 14 2 0 33 14
FW Henry White 3124223326
Players guested during the season
GK Jimmy Morris 50—50
GK Fred Pickup 50—50
DF Fred Bullock 12 0 — 12 0
HB Jimmy Brandham 3 0 — 3 0
HB John Green 1 0 — 1 0
HB Ted Hanney 21 0 2 0 23 0
HB n/aJ. James 50—50
HB Fred Keenor 192—192
HB n/a Parsons 1 0 — 1 0
HB Maurice Woodward 1301 0140
HB E. J. Wright 31—31
FW Fred Alborough 3 0 — 3 0
FW Jackie Carr 2 0 — 2 0
FW David Chalmers 52—52
FW Jack Cock 25 24 2 1 27 25
FW Bertie Denyer 4 1 — 4 1
FW Jack Doran 2 2 — 2 2
FW n/aJ. Gillies 20—20
FW n/a Charles Hibbert 2 0 — 2 0
FW Harry Lappin 2 0 — 2 0
FW n/a W. Pick 3 1 — 3 1
FW n/a Wilcox 1 0 — 1 0
FW Dick Wynn 20—20
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player LC VC Total
FW Henry White 24 2 26
FW Jack Cock 24 1 25
FW Fred Morley 14 0 14
FW Billy Baker 6 0 6
FW Patsy Hendren606
DF Jack Peart 3 0 3
FW David Chalmers 2 — 2
FW Jack Doran 2 — 2
HB Fred Keenor 2 — 2
HB Bill Stanton 2 — 2
FW Albert Chester 1 — 1
FW Bertie Denyer 1 — 1
FW n/a W. Pick 1 — 1
HB E. J. Wright 1 — 1
DF Alf Amos 1 0 1
HB Tom McGovern 1 0 1
Total94397
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Fred Halliday 7 September 1918 21 April 1919 38 21 9 8 055.26|36 20 9 7 055.56

Summary
Games played38 (36 London Combination, 2 London Victory Cup)
Games won21 (20 London Combination, 1 London Victory Cup)
Games drawn9 (9 London Combination, 0 London Victory Cup)
Games lost8 (7 London Combination, 1 London Victory Cup)
Goals scored97 (94 London Combination, 3 London Victory Cup)
Goals conceded49 (46 London Combination, 3 London Victory Cup)
Clean sheets8 (8 London Combination, 0 London Victory Cup)
Biggest league win7–0 versus Clapton Orient, 21 December 1918
Worst league defeat3–0 versus Millwall, 5 April 1919
Most appearances33, Fred Morley, Henry White (31 London Combination, 2 London Victory Cup)
Top scorer (league)25, Henry White
Top scorer (all competitions)26, Henry White

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
October 1918 FW Billy Baker Unattached Free [4]
1918 FW Fred Morley Unattached Free [2]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
March 1919 FW Albert Chester Tottenham Hotspur 1919 [11]
April 1919 FW Billy Baker Unattached [4]
April 1919 DF Jack Peart Arsenal 1919 [12]
April 1919 DF Dusty Rhodes Retired [13]
April 1919 HB Bill Stanton Rotherham County 1919 [14]
Guest players in
Date from Pos. Name Previous Club Date to Ref.
7 September 1918 HB Jimmy Brandham Fulham 30 November 1918 [2]
7 September 1918 FW David Chalmers Grimsby Town 9 November 1918 [2]
7 September 1918 FW Bertie Denyer Swindon Town 28 September 1918 [2]
7 September 1918 FW J. Gillies Unattached 12 October 1918 [2]
7 September 1918 GK Jimmy Morris Clapton Orient 26 October 1918 [2]
14 September 1918 HB J. James n/a 16 November 1918 [2]
14 September 1918HB Fred Keenor Cardiff City12 April 1919[2]
14 September 1918 FW Dick Wynn Middlesbrough 21 September 1918 [2]
28 September 1918FW Fred AlboroughUnattached26 October 1918[2]
28 September 1918 GK Fred Pickup Bury 4 January 1919 [2]
28 September 1918 HB E. J. Wright Hampstead Town 2 November 1918 [2]
5 October 1918 FW Harry Lappin Unattached 5 October 1918 [2]
5 October 1918 HB Parsons n/a 5 October 1918 [2]
5 October 1918 FW Wilcox n/a 5 October 1918 [2]
5 October 1918 HB Maurice Woodward Southend United End of season [2]
19 October 1918 FW Jack Cock Huddersfield Town End of season [2]
26 October 1918 FB Fred Bullock Huddersfield Town 15 March 1919 [2]
30 November 1918HB John Green Wolverhampton Wanderers30 November 1918[2]
7 December 1918 HB Ted Hanney Manchester City End of season [2]
25 January 1919 FW Jack Doran Coventry City 22 February 1919 [2]
25 January 1919 FW Charles Hibbert Uxbridge 22 February 1919 [2]
25 January 1919 FW W. Pick n/a End of season [2]
18 April 1919FW Jackie Carr MiddlesbroughEnd of season[2]
Guest players out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
1918 HB Jimmy Kennedy St Mirren 1918 [15]

References
  1. White 1989, p. 363-365.
  2. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 365. ISBN 0951526200.
  3. White 1989, p. 109-110.
  4. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 15.
  5. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 118. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  6. Haynes 1998, p. 137.
  7. "Remember & Honour – The WW1 Brentford Players | Beesotted". beesotted.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  8. "Casualty Details: John Fredrick Alborough". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  9. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  10. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  11. "Croydon Common Football Club Biographies – Albert Chester" (PDF). Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  12. "Jack Peart | Arsenal.com". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  13. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 175.
  14. Joyce 2012, p. 275.
  15. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
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