1935–36 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1935–36 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League First Division for the first time in the club's history. A torrid run in the opening half of the season left Brentford in the relegation places, but after a number of key signings were made, just two defeats from Christmas Day 1935 through to the end of the season elevated the Bees to an impressive 5th-place finish, the club's highest-ever in the league pyramid. Brentford also reached the final of the London Challenge Cup for the second consecutive season, but were beaten by league rivals Arsenal. In 2013, the Brentford supporters voted 1935–36 as the club's third-best season.[1]

Brentford
1935–36 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
First Division5th
FA CupThird round
London Challenge CupRunners-up
Top goalscorerLeague: McCulloch (26)
All: McCulloch (26)
Highest home attendance33,486
Lowest home attendance15,379
Average home league attendance25,287

Season summary

In preparation for the 1935–36 season, Brentford manager Harry Curtis elected to stick with the nucleus of players that had elevated the club from the Third Division South to the First Division in just three seasons, his only significant signing being right back Joe Wilson from Southend United.[2] The Bees had a dream start to their first season in the top-flight, going to the top of the division after a 2–0 opening day victory over Bolton Wanderers.[3] A 2–1 home defeat to Huddersfield Town two matches later gave way to a run of 11 defeats in 17 matches, which left the club in the relegation places.[3]

Previously-prolific scorers Jack Holliday and Idris Hopkins had had a difficult time adjusting to the higher level, with scoring just 13 goals between them by the time the Bees were mired in the relegation battle at the end of 1935.[4] Manager Curtis recognised the need to strengthen the squad in mid-season, dropping and later selling full back Jack Astley, left half Jackie Burns and forwards Charlie Fletcher and George Robson.[5] In addition, former captain Herbert Watson was dropped from the half back line.[4] In came Welsh international left half Dai Richards for £3,500 and Scottish forwards David McCulloch and Bobby Reid, with McCulloch signing for a club record £6,000 fee.[6]

The signings had an inspired effect, sending the Bees on a run of just two defeats in the remaining 23 matches of the season,[3] with forward McCulloch netting an impressive 26 goals in 27 appearances to finish as top-scorer.[4] Manager Harry Curtis also signed a new five-year contract in February 1936.[7] Brentford finished their debut season in the First Division in 5th place, which as of the end of the 2015–16 season is the club's highest-ever in the pyramid.[8] Brentford also reached the final of the London Challenge Cup for the second-successive season, but were defeated 4–2 by league rivals Arsenal.[9] The Bees' club record attendance for a home Football League match was broken twice during the season, with 33,481 attending versus Huddersfield Town on 7 September 1935 and 33,486 for the West London derby with Chelsea on 28 March 1936.[10]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification or relegation
3 Huddersfield Town 42 18 12 12 59 56 1.054 48
4 Stoke City 42 20 7 15 57 57 1.000 47
5 Brentford 42 17 12 13 81 60 1.350 46
6 Arsenal 42 15 15 12 78 48 1.625 45 FA Cup Winners
7 Preston North End 42 18 8 16 67 64 1.047 44
Source:


Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League First Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 31 August 1935Bolton WanderersA2–0 31,949Holliday (2)
2 5 September 1935Blackburn RoversH3–1 25,047Fletcher (2), Holliday
3 7 September 1935Huddersfield Town H1–2 33,481Hopkins
4 14 September 1935MiddlesbroughA0–0 38,107
5 18 September 1935Derby CountyA1–2 21,648Fletcher
6 21 September 1935Aston VillaH1–2 29,781Holliday
7 28 September 1935Wolverhampton WanderersA2–3 28,431Holliday, Scott
8 5 October 1935Sheffield WednesdayH2–2 25,338Robson, Scott
9 12 October 1935Portsmouth A3–1 22,316Hopkins (2), Holliday
10 19 October 1935Stoke CityH0–0 24,960
11 26 October 1935Manchester CityA1–2 29,868Hopkins
12 2 November 1935Arsenal H2–1 26,330Burns, Hopkins
13 9 November 1935Birmingham A1–2 28,673Dunn
14 16 November 1935SunderlandH1–5 24,720Hopkins
15 23 November 1935Chelsea A1–2 56,624Robson (pen)
16 30 November 1935Leeds UnitedH2–2 23,914Scott, McCulloch
17 7 December 1935Grimsby TownA1–6 5,276Fletcher
18 14 December 1935LiverpoolH1–2 18,508Robson
19 21 December 1935West Bromwich AlbionA0–1 14,272
20 25 December 1935Preston North End H5–2 21,474Holliday, Muttitt, McCulloch (2), Scott
21 26 December 1935Preston North EndA4–2 22,937Hopkins (3), McCulloch
22 28 December 1935Bolton WanderersH4–0 27,156McCulloch (3), McKenzie
23 1 January 1936Blackburn Rovers A0–1 24,724
24 4 January 1936Huddersfield TownA2–2 17,682McCulloch, Fletcher
25 18 January 1936MiddlesbroughH1–0 27,779Scott
26 25 January 1936Aston VillaA2–2 40,328Reid, Scott
27 1 February 1936Wolverhampton WanderersH5–0 25,123Morris (og), McCulloch (2), Scott, Holliday
28 8 February 1936Sheffield WednesdayA3–3 20,757Holliday, McCulloch, Hopkins
29 22 February 1936Stoke CityA2–2 18,045McCulloch, Scott
30 29 February 1936BirminghamH0–1 20,523
31 7 March 1936Leeds UnitedA2–1 10,509Reid, Hopkins
32 14 March 1936Manchester City H0–0 28,364
33 21 March 1936SunderlandA3–1 26,348Holliday, McCulloch (2)
34 25 March 1936PortsmouthH3–1 15,379McCulloch (3)
35 28 March 1936ChelseaH2–1 33,486McCulloch, Hopkins
36 4 April 1936ArsenalA1–1 28,303Holliday
37 10 April 1936Everton A2–1 45,477McCulloch (2)
38 11 April 1936Grimsby TownH3–0 24,830McCulloch (2), Hopkins
39 13 April 1936EvertonH4–1 29,790Holliday, Hopkins (2), Scott
40 18 April 1936LiverpoolA0–0 28,463
41 25 April 1936West Bromwich AlbionH2–2 24,527Scott, Reid
42 2 May 1936Derby CountyH6–0 20,521McCulloch (4), Holliday, Scott

FA Cup
Main article: 1935–36 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenue AttendanceResult
3R11 January 1936Leicester City A 29,7500–1

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1935–36 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK James Mathieson (1904-05-10)10 May 1904 (aged 31) Middlesbrough 1934
Defenders
DF Arthur Bateman (c) (1908-04-01)1 April 1908 (aged 27) Southend United 1934
DF George Dumbrell (1906-09-23)23 September 1906 (aged 28) Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 1934
DF Walter Metcalf (1910-12-15)15 December 1910 (aged 24) Sunderland 1934
DF George Poyser (1910-02-06)6 February 1910 (aged 25) Port Vale 1934
DF Joe Wilson (1911-09-29)29 September 1911 (aged 23) Southend United 1935
Midfielders
HB Joe James (1910-01-13)13 January 1910 (aged 25) Battersea Church 1929
HB Duncan McKenzie (1912-08-10)10 August 1912 (aged 23) Albion Rovers 1932
HB Dai Richards (1906-10-31)31 October 1906 (aged 28) Wolverhampton Wanderers 1935
HB Cecil Smith (1907-06-16)16 June 1907 (aged 28) Brentford Market 1931
Forwards
FW Jim Brown (1908-12-31)31 December 1908 (aged 26) Manchester United 1934
FW Billy Dunn (1910-10-09)9 October 1910 (aged 24) Celtic 1935
FW Jack Holliday (1908-12-19)19 December 1908 (aged 26) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Idris Hopkins (1910-10-11)11 October 1910 (aged 24) Crystal Palace 1932
FW David McCulloch (1912-10-05)5 October 1912 (aged 22) Heart of Midlothian 1935
FW Ernest Muttitt (1908-07-24)24 July 1908 (aged 27) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Bobby Reid (1911-02-19)19 February 1911 (aged 24) Hamilton Academical 1936
FW Billy Scott (1907-12-06)6 December 1907 (aged 27) Middlesbrough 1932
Players who left the club mid-season
DF Jack Astley (1909-12-03)3 December 1909 (aged 25) Southport 1933 Transferred to Coventry City
HB Jackie Burns (1906-11-27)27 November 1906 (aged 28) Queens Park Rangers 1931 Amateur, transferred to Leyton
HB Herbert Watson (1908-11-20)20 November 1908 (aged 26) Middlesbrough 1932 Transferred to Bristol Rovers
FW Charlie Fletcher (1905-10-28)28 October 1905 (aged 29) Clapton Orient 1933 Transferred to Burnley
FW George Robson (1908-06-17)17 June 1908 (aged 27) West Ham United 1931 Transferred to Heart of Midlothian
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[4] Timeless Bees,[11] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[12]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Harry Curtis Manager
Jimmy Bain Assistant Manager
Bob Kane Trainer
Jack Cartmell Assistant Trainer
Fred Keatch Secretary

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 James Mathieson 42 0 1 0 43 0
DF Jack Astley 8 0 0 0 8 0
DF Arthur Bateman 23 0 0 0 23 0
DF George Dumbrell 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF Walter Metcalf 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF George Poyser 2801 0 290
DF Joe Wilson 22 0 1 0 23 0
HB Jackie Burns 91—91
HB Joe James 41 0 1 0 42 0
HB Duncan McKenzie 38 1 1 0 39 1
HB Dai Richards 26 0 1 0 27 0
HB Cecil Smith 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Herbert Watson 13 0 0 0 13 0
FW Jim Brown 100 010
FW Billy Dunn 2 1 0 0 2 1
FW Charlie Fletcher 20 5 0 0 20 5
FW Jack Holliday 37131 0 3813
FW Idris Hopkins 42 15 1 0 43 15
FW David McCulloch 26 26 1 0 27 26
FW Ernest Muttitt 5 1 1 0 6 1
FW Bobby Reid 18 3 — 18 3
FW George Robson 18 3 0 0 18 3
FW Billy Scott 39 11 1 0 40 11
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[4]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL1 FAC Total
FW David McCulloch 26 0 26
FW Idris Hopkins 15 0 15
FW Jack Holliday 13 0 13
FW Billy Scott 11 0 11
FW Charlie Fletcher 5 0 5
FW Bobby Reid 3 — 3
FW George Robson 3 0 3
HB Jackie Burns 1 0 1
FW Billy Dunn 1 0 1
HB Duncan McKenzie 1 0 1
FW Ernest Muttitt 1 0 1
Opponents 1 0 1
Total81081
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[4]

International caps
Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW Idris Hopkins 2 0 [13]
FW David McCulloch 1 0 [14]
FW Dai Richards 2 1 [15]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis 31 August 1935 2 May 1936 43 17 12 14 039.53|42 17 12 13 040.48

Summary
Games played43 (42 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Games won17 (17 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn12 (12 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost14 (13 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored81 (81 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded61 (60 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets10 (10 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win6–0 versus Derby County, 2 May 1936
Worst league defeat6–1 versus Grimsby Town, 7 December 1935
Most appearances43, Idris Hopkins, James Mathieson (42 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)26, David McCulloch
Top scorer (all competitions)26, David McCulloch

Transfers & loans
Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1935 GK Thomas Lynch Yeovil & Petters United n/a [16]
7 June 1935 FW Billy Dunn Celtic n/a [17]
18 July 1935 FW Les Sullivan Rochdale n/a [18]
July 1935 DF Joe Wilson Southend United Free [19]
August 1935 HB Sam Briddon Port Vale Free [20]
30 November 1935 FW David McCulloch Heart of Midlothian £6,000 [21]
30 November 1935 HB Dai Richards Wolverhampton Wanderers £3,500 [6]
1935 FW Isaac Fenton Burnley n/a [22]
1935 HB H. Marley Leyton n/a [23]
17 January 1936 FW Bobby Reid Hamilton Academical n/a [24]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
19 December 1935 FW George Robson Heart of Midlothian n/a [24]
December 1935 HB Jackie Burns Leyton Amateur [25]
February 1936 DF Jack Astley Coventry City n/a [26]
February 1936 FW Charlie Fletcher Burnley n/a [27]
22 April 1936 HB James Raven Bristol Rovers n/a [28]
22 April 1936 FW Les Sullivan Bristol Rovers n/a [28]
22 April 1936 HB Herbert Watson Bristol Rovers n/a [28]
Players loaned out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Date to Ref.
1935 FW Les Smith Hayes 1936 [29]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1936 FW Jim Brown Tottenham Hotspur 1936 [30]

References
  1. League, The Football. "Brentford – Football League 125". www.fl125.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  2. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 170.
  3. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1935-1936 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  4. White 1989, p. 373.
  5. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 13, 31, 58, 136.
  6. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 104, 131–134, 166.
  7. Chapman, Mark. "Remembering The Guvnor: Harry Curtis". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  8. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Complete History - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  9. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. pp. 82–83. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  10. Haynes 1998, p. 15.
  11. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  12. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  13. "Dai Hopkins". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  14. "David McCulloch". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  15. "David Richards". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  16. "Watford Football Club archive 1881–2016: Players – Layún to Lyttle" (PDF). Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  17. "Dunn, Willie – The Celtic Wiki". www.thecelticwiki.com. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  18. Argus (19 July 1935). ""BEES'" BIG PROFIT. Over £2,000 Made Last Season. PLAYERS ASSESSED AT £40,000. Race Against Time to Prepare Ground for Crowd of 40,000". The Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  19. "Joe Wilson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  20. "Sam Briddon". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  21. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 104.
  22. "BRENTFORD F.C. AND THE FIRST LEAGUE. SEASON ANTICIPATED WITH EVERY CONFIDENCE. SPORTING GESTURE BY BOLTON WANDERERS". Middlesex Chronicle. 17 August 1935.
  23. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. pp. 146–151. ISBN 0951526200.
  24. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
  25. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 31.
  26. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 13.
  27. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 58.
  28. "Bristol Rovers Memorabilia – Football League Players Index". Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  29. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 149.
  30. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 29.
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