1925–26 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1925–26 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South and finished in 18th place, conceding a club record 94 goals.

Brentford
1925–26 season
ChairmanAlderman A.W. Bradford
ManagerFred Halliday
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division South18th
FA CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Watkins (11)
All: Watkins (11)
Highest home attendance16,893
Lowest home attendance5,632
Average home league attendance9,146

Season summary
Brentford's 1925–26 team photograph.

Brentford manager Fred Halliday overhauled the club's squad during the 1925 off-season, with all but seven players being released.[1] Despite running a deficit of £6,000 (equivalent to £344,700 in 2020), the board of directors pledged a "substantial sum of money" for the transfer of quality players and in came new goalkeeper John Thomson, four full backs, four half backs and new forwards Bill Finlayson and Bert Young.[1] The club's colours were changed to the now-traditional red-and-white stripes, black shorts and black socks.[1]

9 defeats from the opening 10 matches of the season left Brentford rooted to the bottom of the Third Division South and forward Reginald Parker (one of the club's highest scorers during the previous two seasons) elected to transfer to South Shields.[2][3] Griffin Park was closed by the Football League for the first and only time due to crowd disturbance during a 6–1 thrashing at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion on 12 September 1925.[4] The ground was reopened 14 days later.[4] The poor run ended with the first victory of the season on 17 October, 2–1 over Bristol Rovers.[2] Five wins in the following seven matches lifted the Bees out of the re-election places,[2] with forwards Jack Lane, Bill Finlayson and full back Percival Whitton (who had been deployed up front by manager Halliday) all coming into form,[5] with half back Alex Graham converting a number of penalties.[6]

By 20 February 1926, a run of just five defeats in 19 matches lifted Brentford to 13th in the table.[2] The signing of forward Ernie Watkins from Southend United for a then-club record fee of £1,000 in January 1928 proved to be money well-spent,[7] with Watkins scoring 11 goals in his first 12 matches, including a hat-trick in the Bees' biggest victory of the season, 5–1 versus Norwich City on 2 April.[6] The Bees' form petered out in the final two months of the season, winning just 3 of the final 12 matches to finish 18th with the worst defensive record in the division.[1][2] The 94 goals conceded during the 1925–26 season is a club record.[8]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
16 Norwich City 42 15 9 18 58 73 0.795 39
17 Newport County 42 14 10 18 64 74 0.865 38
18 Brentford 42 16 6 20 69 94 0.734 38
19 Bristol Rovers 42 15 6 21 66 69 0.957 36
20 Exeter City 42 15 5 22 72 70 1.029 35
Source:

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 29 August 1925Northampton TownH3–4 12,317Allen (2), Graham
2 2 September 1925Southend UnitedA1–3 8,224Allen
3 5 September 1925Aberdare AthleticA0–3 4,140
4 7 September 1925Southend United H1–3 6,409Douglas
5 12 September 1925Brighton & Hove Albion H1–6 8,803Parker
6 19 September 1925WatfordA2–2 4,771Young, Parker
7 23 September 1925Plymouth ArgyleA0–4 8,384
8 26 September 1925Queens Park Rangers H1–2 9,719 Beacham
9 3 October 1925Crystal PalaceA0–2 15,724
10 10 October 1925Bristol CityA0–3 11,095
11 17 October 1925Bristol RoversA2–1 7,095 Lane, Whitton
12 24 October 1925Swindon Town H3–1 8,282 Whitton, Finlayson, Graham (pen)
13 31 October 1925Newport County A3–2 4,933 Lane (2), Finlayson
14 7 November 1925Luton TownH1–0 7,533Lane
15 14 November 1925Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA2–3 4,530 Whitton (2)
16 21 November 1925Charlton AthleticH4–0 8,017 Whitton, Allen, Lane, Graham (pen)
17 5 December 1925Merthyr TownH1–1 6,932 Graham (pen)
18 19 December 1925ReadingH1–0 7,064 Graham
19 25 December 1925Millwall A1–2 13,333 Hendren
20 26 December 1925Millwall H2–0 16,893 Allen (2)
21 28 December 1925Exeter CityA1–6 5,493 Finlayson
22 2 January 1926Northampton TownA1–6 4,649 Allen
23 9 January 1926GillinghamA3–1 6,093 Watkins, Douglas (2)
24 16 January 1926Aberdare AthleticH1–0 5,632 Douglas
25 23 January 1926Brighton & Hove Albion A2–3 6,107 Lane, Watkins
26 30 January 1926WatfordH4–3 7,711 Graham (2), Rae, Hendren
27 6 February 1926Queens Park RangersA1–1 13,085 Plunkett (og)
28 13 February 1926Crystal PalaceH3–2 10,140 Watkins (2), Douglas
29 20 February 1926Bristol CityH2–1 11,956 Watkins, Graham
30 27 February 1926Bristol RoversH4–1 9,902 Watkins, Douglas, Graham (pen), Rae
31 6 March 1926Swindon TownA1–2 4,932 Hendren
32 13 March 1926Newport CountyH3–3 9,643 Watkins (2), Rae
33 20 March 1926Luton Town A2–4 6,072 Lane, Till (og)
34 27 March 1926Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH0–2 7,687
35 2 April 1926Norwich CityH5–1 11,463 Hendren, Watkins (3)
36 3 April 1926Charlton AthleticA2–0 6,812 Young, Rae
37 5 April 1926Norwich CityA0–1 11,694
38 10 April 1926GillinghamH0–0 7,942
39 17 April 1926Merthyr TownA0–6 2,329
40 24 April 1926Exeter CityH2–0 7,889 Finlayson, Douglas
41 26 April 1926Plymouth ArgyleH2–2 10,123 Finlayson, Douglas
42 1 May 1926ReadingA1–7 17,432 Lane

FA Cup
Main article: 1925–26 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 28 November 1925 Barnet H 3–1 9,480 Lane, Whitton, Graham (pen)
2R12 December 1925Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic H1–2 8,200Whitton

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1925–26 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Harry Stanford (1899-05-31)31 May 1899 (aged 26) Southend United 1925
GK John Thomson (1896-07-27)27 July 1896 (aged 29) Aberdare Athletic 1925
Defenders
DF James Donnelly (1893-12-18)18 December 1893 (aged 31) Southend United 1925
DF James McClennon (1900-12-16)16 December 1900 (aged 24) Grimsby Town 1925
DF Jack Price (1900-06-09)9 June 1900 (aged 25) Swindon Town 1925
Midfielders
HB Jack Beacham (1902-08-15)15 August 1902 (aged 23) Weymouth 1925
HB Tommy Cain (1892-11-10)10 November 1892 (aged 32) Sheppey United 1924
HB Evan Evans (1903-07-25)25 July 1903 (aged 22) Llanidloes Town 1925
HB Alex Graham (c) (1889-07-11)11 July 1889 (aged 36) Arsenal 1924 Assistant manager
HB Alan Noble (1900-06-19)19 June 1900 (aged 25) Leeds United 1925
HB Harry Rae (1895-10-22)22 October 1895 (aged 29) Clyde 1925
HB Jimmy Walton (1898-11-03)3 November 1898 (aged 26) Bristol Rovers 1924
Forwards
FW Jack Allen (1903-01-31)31 January 1903 (aged 22) Leeds United 1924
FW Alfred Douglas (1899-03-26)26 March 1899 (aged 26) Washington Colliery 1925
FW Bill Finlayson (1899-03-29)29 March 1899 (aged 26) Clapton Orient 1925
FW Patsy Hendren (1889-02-05)5 February 1889 (aged 36) Queens Park Rangers 1911 Played when his cricket commitments allowed
FW Jack Lane (1898-05-29)29 May 1898 (aged 27) Chesterfield 1925
FW Ernie Watkins (1898-04-03)3 April 1898 (aged 27) Southend United 1926
FW Frank Watson (1898-11-15)15 November 1898 (aged 26) Leeds United 1925
FW Percival Whitton (1892-01-14)14 January 1892 (aged 33) Newport County 1925
FW Bert Young (1899-09-04)4 September 1899 (aged 25) Aberdare Athletic 1925
Players who left the club mid-season
FW Reginald Parker (1902-07-08)8 July 1902 (aged 23) Boldon Comrades 1922 Transferred to South Shields
  • Sources: Timeless Bees,[9] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939,[10] 100 Years Of Brentford[6]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Fred Halliday Manager
Tom Ratcliff Trainer
Alex Graham Assistant Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Harry Stanford 2 0 0 0 2 0
GK John Thomson 40 0 2 0 42 0
DF James Donnelly 3902 0410
DF James McClennon 24020260
DF Jack Price 1200 0120
HB Jack Beacham 4 1 0 0 4 1
HB Tommy Cain 200 020
HB Evan Evans 701080
HB Alex Graham 25 9 2 1 27 10
HB Alan Noble 31 0 1 0 32 0
HB Harry Rae 37 4 1 0 38 4
HB Jimmy Walton 36 0 1 0 37 0
FW Jack Allen 11720137
FW Alfred Douglas 2780 0278
FW Bill Finlayson 21 5 1 0 22 5
FW Patsy Hendren 28 5 2 0 30 5
FW Jack Lane 3882 1409
FW Reginald Parker 5 2 — 5 2
FW Ernie Watkins 1911—1911
FW Frank Watson 7 0 0 0 7 0
FW Percy Whitton 2552 2277
FW Bert Young 2221 0232
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[6]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW Ernie Watkins 11 — 11
HB Alex Graham 9 1 10
FW Jack Lane 8 1 9
FW Alfred Douglas808
FW Jack Allen 7 0 7
FW Percy Whitton 5 2 7
FW Bill Finlayson 5 0 5
FW Patsy Hendren 5 0 5
HB Harry Rae 4 0 4
FW Reginald Parker 2 — 2
FW Bert Young 2 0 2
HB Jack Beacham 1 0 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total62468
  • 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 %
Fred Halliday 29 August 1925 1 May 1926 44 17 6 21 038.64|42 16 6 20 038.10

Summary
Games played44 (42 Third Division South, 2 FA Cup)
Games won17 (16 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games drawn6 (6 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost21 (20 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored73 (69 Third Division South, 4 FA Cup)
Goals conceded97 (94 Third Division South, 3 FA Cup)
Clean sheets8 (8 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win5–1 versus Norwich City, 2 April 1926
Worst league defeat6–0 versus Merthyr Town, 2 April 1926; 7–1 versus Reading, 1 May 1926
Most appearances42, John Thomson (40 Third Division South, 2 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)11, Ernie Watkins
Top scorer (all competitions)11, Ernie Watkins

Transfers & loans
Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1925 HB Alan Noble Leeds United Free [11]
30 June 1925 HB Harry Rae Clyde n/a [12]
July 1925 DF James Donnelly Southend United Free [13]
26 August 1925 GK John Thomson Aberdare Athletic Free [12]
August 1925 FW Alfred Douglas Washington Colliery Free [14]
August 1925 DF James McClennon Grimsby Town Free [15]
1925 HB Jack Beacham Weymouth Free [16]
1925 HB Evan Evans Llanidloes Town Amateur [17]
1925 FW Bill Finlayson Clapton Orient Free [18]
1925 DF Jack Price Swindon Town Free [19]
1925 GK Harry Stanford Southend United Free [20]
1925 FW Frank Watson Leeds United Free [21]
1925 FW Percival Whitton Newport County Free [5]
January 1926 FW Ernie Watkins Southend United £1,000 [7]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
September 1925 FW Reginald Parker South Shields Nominal [3]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
August 1925 FB Charles Alton Northfleet United 1925 [22]
May 1926 HB Tommy Cain Retired [23]
May 1926HB Alex Graham Folkestone1926[24]
May 1926 DF James McClennon Grimsby Town 1926 [25]
May 1926 FW William Relph Blyth Spartans 1926 [26]
May 1926 GK Harry Stanford Bristol Rovers 1926 [20]
May 1926 DF John Steel Retired [23]
May 1926 GK John Thomson Plymouth Argyle 1926 [27]
May 1926 HB Jimmy Walton Hartlepools United 1926 [28]
May 1926 FW Frank Watson Southend United 1926 [21]

References
  1. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. pp. 119–120. ISBN 0951526200.
  2. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1925-1926 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  3. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 120.
  4. Haynes 1998, p. 38-39.
  5. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 168.
  6. White 1989, p. 368.
  7. Brentford Football Club Official Matchday Magazine versus Hull City 07/05/05. 2005. pp. 46–47.
  8. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 79. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  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. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 116.
  12. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
  13. "Brentford's New Back". Chiswick Times. 3 July 1925.
  14. "Public Practice Game Tomorrow". Chiswick Times. 21 August 1925.
  15. "Brentford Football Club". Chiswick Times. 14 August 1925.
  16. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 18.
  17. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 53.
  18. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 56.
  19. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 127-128.
  20. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 153.
  21. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 166.
  22. "Sports Items". Chiswick Times. 28 August 1925.
  23. Dorey, F.W. (1925). Season 1925–26 Brentford Football Club Official Handbook. p. 19.
  24. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 69.
  25. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 103.
  26. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 133.
  27. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 160.
  28. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 164.
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