1942–43 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1942–43 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League South, due to the cessation of competitive football for the duration of the Second World War. Early in a mid-table season for the club, inside forward Len Townsend notably scored six goals in a 9–4 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the most-ever in any match by a Brentford player.

Brentford
1942–43 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Football League South9th
Football League South War CupGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Townsend (18)
All: Townsend (19)
Highest home attendance23,180
Lowest home attendance3,210
Average home league attendance25,768

Season summary

Brentford returned to the Football League South for the 1942–43 season with cause for optimism, having generated over £20,000 (equivalent to £939,000 in 2020) from the semi-finals and the final of the club's victorious 1941–42 London War Cup campaign.[1] Again the first team squad would be hit by a lack of unavailability of players, with no goalkeeper available for the second season in succession.[2] Despite averaging only 12 appearances per season since the war began, centre forward Len Townsend had been averaging nearly a goal a game and was in fantastic form, scoring 17 goals in a 17 match spell, including six in a 9–4 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on 12 September 1942.[2] The record of six goals in a single match bettered the official club record of five, but due to the unofficial nature of wartime football, Townsend does not hold the club record outright.[3]

Brentford's league form held up until the turn of the year then fell apart, losing 10 of the final 15 matches of the season in all competitions.[2] Guest forwards Eddie Perry and Douglas Hunt, who had scored the bulk of the team's goals since the beginning of the 1940–41 season failed to find the net with such regularity, though Albion Rovers' guest Tommy Kiernan notably scored 9 goals in his 10 appearances.[2] The discontinuation of the London War Cup meant that the Bees would be unable to defend their crown, so the club were entered into the Football League South War Cup, which ended in elimination in the group stages.[4] Brentford finished the league season in 9th place and Len Townsend scored 19 goals in 20 appearances.[4]

League tables

Football League South
Main article: 1942–43 in English football
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
8 Aldershot 28 14 2 12 87 77 1.130 30
9 Brentford 28 12 5 11 64 63 1.016 29
10 Charlton Athletic 28 13 3 12 68 75 0.907 29
Source: Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation

Football League South War Cup
Main article: Football League War Cup
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
1 Queens Park Rangers 6 4 1 1 16 8 2.000 9
2 Southampton 6 4 0 2 14 6 2.333 8
3 Clapton Orient 6 1 2 3 6 14 0.429 4
4 Brentford 6 1 1 4 7 15 0.467 3
Source: A Record Of British Wartime Football[4]

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League South
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 29 August 1942Clapton OrientH2–2 3,210Holliday, D. Hunt
2 5 September 1942Fulham A1–3 4,600D. Hunt
3 12 September 1942Brighton & Hove AlbionH9–4 4,020Townsend (6), Kiernan (2), D. Hunt
4 19 September 1942ChelseaH0–2 8,480
5 26 September 1942Queens Park RangersA1–4 8,000Kiernan
6 3 October 1942WatfordH3–0 3,590Wilkins, Hopkins, D. Hunt
7 10 October 1942West Ham UnitedH6–2 7,000Kiernan, Fenton (og), Townsend (2)
8 17 October 1942Arsenal A2–0 16,700Smith, Kiernan
9 24 October 1942Aldershot H4–1 5,000D. Hunt, Townsend, Aicken, Kiernan
10 31 October 1942Luton TownH2–2 5,000Sneddon, Townsend
11 7 November 1942MillwallA2–1 4,557D. Hunt, Perry
12 14 November 1942 Charlton Athletic A 4–1 3,000 Perry (2), Townsend, D. Hunt
13 21 November 1942ReadingH3–3 5,390Kiernan, D. Hunt (2)
14 28 November 1942Clapton Orient A0–2 2,500
15 5 December 1942 Fulham H 4–2 5,200 Townsend (3), McKenzie
16 12 December 1942Brighton & Hove Albion A2–7 4,000Townsend, D. Hunt
17 19 December 1942 Chelsea A 4–2 8,154 Townsend, McKenzie (2), Hopkins
18 25 December 1942 Tottenham Hotspur A 1–1 14,621 Townsend
19 26 December 1942Tottenham HotspurH2–1 12,540Townsend, Hopkins
20 2 January 1943Queens Park RangersH2–0 7,500D. Hunt (2)
21 9 January 1943WatfordA0–2 2,177
22 16 January 1943 West Ham United A 1–4 7,500 Perry
23 23 January 1943 Arsenal H 0–1 23,180
24 30 January 1943 Aldershot A 1–2 4,000 Townsend
25 6 February 1943Luton TownA1–1 3,000Hunt (og)
26 13 February 1943 Millwall H 3–1 5,150 McCulloch (2), Perry
27 20 February 1943 Charlton Athletic H 3–5 4,680 James, Armstrong, Smith
28 27 February 1943 Reading A 1–7 4,000 Henley

Football League South War Cup
Round DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
Grp 6 March 1943Queens Park RangersH1–2 10,520O'Donnell
Grp 13 March 1943Clapton OrientA1–1 3,707Hopkins
Grp 20 March 1943SouthamptonH1–6 6,600Townsend
Grp 27 March 1943Queens Park RangersA0–2 9,954
Grp 3 April 1943Clapton Orient H3–2 4,080D. Hunt (2, 1 pen), Hopkins
Grp 10 April 1943SouthamptonA1–2 13,000Holliday
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[2]

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1942–43 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Defenders
DF Buster Brown (1910-09-06)6 September 1910 (aged 31) Huddersfield Town 1937
DF George Poyser (1910-02-06)6 February 1910 (aged 32) Port Vale 1934
Midfielders
HB Joe James (1910-01-13)13 January 1910 (aged 32) Battersea Church 1929
HB Ernest Muttitt (1908-07-24)24 July 1908 (aged 34) Middlesbrough 1932 Guest for Chelsea, West Ham United
Forwards
FW Vic Aicken (1914-10-29)29 October 1914 (aged 27) Glentoran 1937 Guest for Watford
FW Tommy Cheetham (1910-10-11)11 October 1910 (aged 31) Queens Park Rangers 1939
FW Jack Holliday (1908-12-19)19 December 1908 (aged 33) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Idris Hopkins (1910-10-11)11 October 1910 (aged 31) Crystal Palace 1932
FW Billy Scott (1907-12-06)6 December 1907 (aged 34) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Les Smith (1918-03-13)13 March 1918 (aged 24) Petersham 1934
FW Len Townsend (1917-08-31)31 August 1917 (aged 24) Hayes 1937 Guest for Belfast Celtic
FW George Wilkins (1919-10-27)27 October 1919 (aged 22) Hayes 1939
Guest players
GK Harry Dukes (1912-03-31)31 March 1912 (aged 30) Norwich City 1941 Guest from Norwich City
GK Ken Groves (1921-10-09)9 October 1921 (aged 20) Preston North End 1943 Guest from Preston North End
GK John Jackson (1906-11-29)29 November 1906 (aged 35) Chelsea 1942 Guest from Chelsea
GK Bill Mason (1908-10-31)31 October 1908 (aged 33) Queens Park Rangers 1942 Guest from Queens Park Rangers
GK Reg Saphin (1916-08-08)8 August 1916 (aged 26) Walthamstow Avenue 1943 Guest from Walthamstow Avenue
DF Alex Muir n/a Albion Rovers 1942 Guest from Albion Rovers
HB Ernie Collett (1914-11-17)17 November 1914 (aged 27) Arsenal 1943 Guest from Arsenal
HB Duncan McKenzie (1912-08-10)10 August 1912 (aged 30) Middlesbrough 1943 Guest from Middlesbrough
HB Tally Sneddon (1914-04-01)1 April 1914 (aged 28) Swansea Town 1942 Guest from Swansea Town
HB Bill Whittaker (1922-12-20)20 December 1922 (aged 19) Charlton Athletic 1942 Guest from Charlton Athletic
FW Matt Armstrong (1911-11-12)12 November 1911 (aged 30) Aberdeen 1942 Guest from Aberdeen
FW Albert Bonass (1911-05-29)29 May 1911 (aged 31) Queens Park Rangers 1942 Guest from Queens Park Rangers
FW Walter Boyes (1913-01-05)5 January 1913 (aged 29) Everton 1943 Guest from Everton
FW Edwin Cunningham (1919-09-20)20 September 1919 (aged 22) Bristol City 1942 Guest from Bristol City
FW Harry Dooley n/a Unattached 1943 Guest
FW Allenby Driver (1919-09-29)29 September 1919 (aged 22) Sheffield Wednesday 1943 Guest from Sheffield Wednesday
FW Jack Finch (1909-02-03)3 February 1909 (aged 33) Fulham 1943 Guest from Fulham
FW Dick Foss (1912-11-12)12 November 1912 (aged 29) Chelsea 1942 Guest from Chelsea
FW Pat Gallacher (1913-01-09)9 January 1913 (aged 29) Bournemouth 1942 Guest from Bournemouth
FW Les Henley (1922-09-26)26 September 1922 (aged 19) Arsenal 1943 Guest from Arsenal
FW Dennis Hillman (1918-11-27)27 November 1918 (aged 23) Brighton & Hove Albion 1943 Guest from Brighton & Hove Albion
FW Douglas Hunt (1914-05-19)19 May 1914 (aged 28) Sheffield Wednesday 1942 Guest from Sheffield Wednesday
FW Tommy Kiernan (1918-10-20)20 October 1918 (aged 23) Albion Rovers 1942 Guest from Albion Rovers
FW David McCulloch (1912-10-05)5 October 1912 (aged 29) Derby County 1943 Guest from Derby County
FW Milton n/a Fulham 1943 Amateur, guest from Fulham
FW Frank O'Donnell (1911-08-31)31 August 1911 (aged 30) Blackpool 1943 Guest from Blackpool
FW Eddie Perry (1909-01-19)19 January 1909 (aged 33) Doncaster Rovers 1942 Guest from Doncaster Rovers
FW Reg Pugh (1917-07-28)28 July 1917 (aged 25) Cardiff City 1942 Guest from Cardiff City
FW Jack Vidler (1905-06-13)13 June 1905 (aged 37) Bristol City 1943 Guest from Bristol City
  • Sources: Timeless Bees,[5] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939,[6] 100 Years Of Brentford[2]

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

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League South season.
Pos Nat Name League FL War Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
DF Buster Brown28 0 6 0 34 0
DF George Poyser 25 0 6 0 31 0
HB Joe James 27 1 6 0 33 1
HB Ernest Muttitt 6 0 4 0 10 0
FW Vic Aicken 2 1 — 2 1
FW Tommy Cheetham 2 0 — 2 0
FW Jack Holliday 5 2 1 1 6 3
FW Idris Hopkins 22 3 6 2 28 5
FW Billy Scott 2 0 — 2 0
FW Les Smith 20 2 6 0 26 2
FW Len Townsend 19 18 1 1 20 19
FW George Wilkins 4 1 — 4 1
Players guested during the season
GK Harry Dukes 1 0 — 1 0
GK Ken Groves — 1 0 1 0
GK John Jackson 26 0 3 0 29 0
GK Bill Mason 1 0 — 1 0
GK Reg Saphin — 1 0 1 0
DF Alex Muir 2 0 — 2 0
HB Ernie Collett — 3 0 3 0
HB Duncan McKenzie 25 3 4 0 29 3
HB Tally Sneddon 18 1 — 18 1
HB Bill Whittaker 8 0 1 0 9 0
FW Matt Armstrong 3 1 — 3 1
FW Albert Bonass 1 0 — 1 0
FW Walter Boyes 2 0 — 2 0
FW Edwin Cunningham 1 0 — 1 0
FW Harry Dooley — 1 0 1 0
FW Allenby Driver 1 0 — 1 0
FW Jack Finch 1 0 1 0 1 0
FW Dick Foss 1 0 — 1 0
FW Pat Gallacher 1 0 — 1 0
FW Les Henley 1 1 — 1 1
FW Dennis Hillman 1 0 — 1 0
FW Douglas Hunt 24 12 5 2 29 14
FW Tommy Kiernan 10 9 — 10 9
FW David McCulloch 2 2 — 2 2
FW Milton 1 0 1 0 2 0
FW Frank O'Donnell 1 1 — 1 1
FW Reg Pugh 1 0 — 1 0
FW Eddie Perry 13 5 5 0 18 5
FW Jack Vidler 1 0 — 1 0
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[2]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FLS FLC Total
FW Len Townsend 18 1 19
FW Douglas Hunt 12 2 14
FW Tommy Kiernan 9 — 9
FW Eddie Perry 5 0 5
FW Idris Hopkins 3 2 5
HB Duncan McKenzie 3 0 3
FW Jack Holliday 2 1 3
FW David McCulloch 2 — 2
FW Les Smith 2 0 2
FW Vic Aicken 1 — 1
FW Matt Armstrong 1 — 1
FW Les Henley 1 — 1
FW Frank O'Donnell 1 — 1
HB Tally Sneddon 1 — 1
FW George Wilkins 1 — 1
HB Joe James 1 0 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total64 7 71
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[2]

Wartime international caps
Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW Idris Hopkins 2 0 [7]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis 29 August 1942 10 April 1943 34 13 6 15 038.24|28 12 5 11 042.86

Summary
Games played34 (28 London League, 6 Football League War Cup)
Games won13 (12 London League, 1 Football League War Cup)
Games drawn6 (5 London League, 1 Football League War Cup)
Games lost15 (11 London League, 4 Football League War Cup)
Goals scored71 (64 London League, 7 Football League War Cup)
Goals conceded78 (63 London League, 15 Football League War Cup)
Clean sheets3 (3 London League, 0 Football League War Cup)
Biggest league win9–4 versus Brighton & Hove Albion, 12 September 1942
Worst league defeat7–1 versus Reading, 27 February 1943
Most appearances34, Buster Brown (28 London League, 6 Football League War Cup)
Top scorer (league)18, Len Townsend
Top scorer (all competitions) 19, Len Townsend

Transfers & loans
Guest players' arrival and departure dates correspond to their first and last appearances of the season.
Guest players in
Date from Pos. Name Previous Club Date to Ref.
29 August 1942 FW Albert Bonass Queens Park Rangers 29 August 1942 [2]
29 August 1942 FW Douglas Hunt Sheffield Wednesday End of season [2]
29 August 1942 GK Bill Mason Queens Park Rangers 29 August 1942 [2]
29 August 1942 HB Duncan McKenzie Middlesbrough End of season [2]
5 September 1942 FW Edwin Cunningham Bristol City 5 September 1942 [2]
5 September 1942 GK John Jackson Chelsea 20 March 1943 [2]
5 September 1942 HB Tally Sneddon Swansea Town 27 February 1943 [2]
5 September 1942 HB Bill Whittaker Charlton Athletic End of season [2]
12 September 1942 FW Tommy Kiernan Albion Rovers 19 December 1942 [2]
26 September 1942 FW Pat Gallacher Portsmouth 26 September 1942 [2]
26 September 1942 FW Reg Pugh Cardiff City 26 September 1942 [2]
10 October 1942 FW Matt Armstrong Aberdeen 20 February 1943 [2]
31 October 1942 FW Eddie Perry Doncaster Rovers 3 April 1943 [2]
12 December 1942 GK Harry Dukes Norwich City 12 December 1942 [2]
19 December 1942 FW Dick Foss Chelsea 19 December 1942 [2]
25 December 1942 DF Alex Muir Albion Rovers 26 December 1942 [2]
2 January 1943 FW Allenby Driver Sheffield Wednesday 2 January 1943 [2]
2 January 1943 FW Jack Finch Fulham 6 March 1943 [2]
9 January 1943 FW Jack Vidler Bristol City 9 January 1943 [2]
23 January 1943 FW David McCulloch Derby County 13 February 1943 [2]
6 February 1943 FW Walter Boyes Everton 13 February 1943 [2]
20 February 1943 FW Milton Unattached 13 March 1943 [2]
27 February 1943 FW Les Henley Arsenal 27 February 1943 [2]
27 February 1943 FW Dennis Hillman Brighton & Hove Albion 27 February 1943 [2]
6 March 1943 FW Frank O'Donnell Blackpool 6 March 1943 [2]
20 March 1943 HB Ernie Collett Arsenal 3 April 1943 [2]
27 March 1943 FW Harry Dooley Unattached End of season [2]
27 March 1943 GK Ken Groves Preston North End 27 March 1943 [2]
3 April 1943 GK Reg Saphin Walthamstow Avenue End of season [2]
Guest players out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
8 August 1942 GK Joe Crozier Hibernian 5 September 1942 [8]
12 December 1942 HB Vic Aicken Watford 19 December 1942 [9]
9 January 1943 HB Ernest Muttitt West Ham United 9 January 1943 [10]
27 March 1943 HB Ernest Muttitt Chelsea 10 April 1943 [11]
n/a FW Len Townsend Belfast Celtic 1943 [12]

References
  1. White 1989, p. 174.
  2. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 377. ISBN 0951526200.
  3. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia. Yore Publications. pp. 62–63. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  4. McColl, Brian (2014). A Record of British Wartime Football. lulu.com. pp. 171–174. ISBN 1291840893.
  5. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  6. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  7. "Dai Hopkins". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  8. "Hibernian Player Joseph Crozier, Games Played". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  9. "Watford Football Club archive 1881–2017 » Seasons – 1940–41 to 1949–50" (PDF). p. 5. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  10. "Ernie [ww 2] Muttitt". www.westhamstats.info. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  11. "1942–43 Wartime League – TheChels.info – The Chelsea Football Club Wiki". thechels.info. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  12. Haynes 1998, p. 74.
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