1957–58 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1957–58 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. The Bees finished as runners-up to Brighton & Hove Albion and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Second Division.

Brentford
1957–58 season
ChairmanFrank Davis
ManagerMalky MacDonald
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division South2nd
FA CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: Towers (29)
All: Towers (29)
Highest home attendance25,744
Lowest home attendance9,130
Average home league attendance13,084

Season summary

After the departure of Bill Dodgin Sr, Brentford recruited Kilmarnock manager Malky MacDonald for their vacant managerial position in May 1957.[1] MacDonald was no stranger to Griffin Park, having spent just under three years as a player-coach with the Bees between 1946 and 1949.[1] First on MacDonald's list of priorities was to ensure that Brentford finished in the top half of the Third Division South table, to avoid becoming founder members of the new Fourth Division in the following season.[1] Ageing and injury-ravaged players Sid Tickridge, Wally Bragg and Frank Dudley were released, while Jeff Taylor, the club's second-leading scorer in each of the previous two seasons, elected to retire and pursue a career in opera.[1] MacDonald recruited former Brentford player Fred Monk as trainer and made just one signing of note, full back Tom Wilson from Fulham, whom he named captain.[1] Ken Horne, Ian Dargie and Johnny Rainford (three players who had seen their playing time reduced under previous manager Dodgin) would be regulars again under MacDonald during the season.[2]

After a mixed start to the season, an unbeaten run of six wins in eight matches in October and November elevated Brentford to 2nd place on 23 November 1957.[3] The run included a new club record of seven consecutive clean sheets.[4] Forwards Jim Towers and George Francis were in prolific form and had scored 24 of the Bees' 37 league goals at that point of the season.[2] After a dip around the turn of the year, Brentford clawed their way back to the higher reaches of the Third Division South table and won six matches in a row in March and early April to move up to 4th.[3] A 1–0 defeat to Torquay United on 7 April put Brentford four points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Bees having played one game more.[1] The damage of draws in the following two matches (versus Southampton and a showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion) was lessened by fellow challengers Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town and Reading all dropping points.[1]

The Bees, spurred on by six goals from Jim Towers, won their final three matches of the season versus Reading, Port Vale and leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.[3] The victory over Brighton put Brentford top on 58 points, ahead of Plymouth Argyle and Brighton on goal average.[5] Brighton could still win the title by virtue of their game in hand, which would come versus Watford two days later, whom they had beaten 1–0 at Vicarage Road two days before their match at Griffin Park.[5] Brighton emphatically beat Watford 6–0 in their final match to win promotion to the Second Division, but the manner of their victories over Watford raised concern and the referee of the first meeting between the clubs wrote to the Football League outlining his suspicions.[1] It wasn't until October 1960 that former Brighton & Hove Albion wing half Glen Wilson revealed to the Daily Mail that some of the Watford players had agreed to "lie down" in exchange for money.[1] Looking back in 2010, Brentford full back Ken Horne summarised the situation:[6]

Jimmy Bowie, a betting man, went to Watford and said (so he claimed) we can offer you money to go out and beat Brighton for us. Jimmy named his price and got told – "We get more than that for losing to Brighton". There was a lot of trouble after that match with the Watford captain. There was a lad making his debut for Brighton and Meadows, who was captain of Watford and who Jimmy had spoken to, was marking him. This lad was making his debut and scored five goals...in the first half.

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Brighton & Hove Albion 46 24 12 10 88 64 1.375 60 Division Champions, promoted
2 Brentford 46 24 10 12 82 56 1.464 58
3 Plymouth Argyle 46 25 8 13 67 48 1.396 58
4 Swindon Town 46 21 15 10 79 50 1.580 57
5 Reading 46 21 13 12 79 51 1.549 55
Source:

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 24 August 1957Queens Park Rangers A0–1 15,734
2 27 August 1957Exeter CityH1–0 12,307Simpson (og)
3 31 August 1957Colchester UnitedH3–3 12,732Newcombe, Towers (2)
4 4 September 1957Exeter CityA5–3 8,498Towers (2), Francis, Parsons (2)
5 7 September 1957Norwich CityA2–3 19,150Francis (2)
6 10 September 1957Northampton Town H7–1 10,697Parsons, Rainford (2), Towers (2), Francis (2)
7 14 September 1957Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH4–2 13,733Francis (3), Newcombe
8 16 September 1957Northampton TownA1–3 4,528Francis
9 21 September 1957WalsallA2–0 10,775Towers (2)
10 24 September 1957WatfordA1–4 7,031Towers
11 28 September 1957Coventry City H1–3 12,094Caven
12 1 October 1957WatfordH0–0 10,447
13 5 October 1957Shrewsbury TownA2–0 7,057Francis, Heath
14 12 October 1957GillinghamH1–0 12,488Towers
15 19 October 1957MillwallA1–0 16,293Rainford
16 26 October 1957Swindon TownH0–0 13,676
17 2 November 1957AldershotA2–0 7,133Francis (2)
18 9 November 1957Plymouth ArgyleH2–0 15,594Newcombe, Francis
19 23 November 1957Newport CountyH2–1 13,603Rainford, Towers
20 30 November 1957Southampton A2–4 13,690Towers, Francis
21 14 December 1957Southend UnitedA0–0 7,952
22 21 December 1957Queens Park RangersH1–1 12,804Rutter (og)
23 25 December 1957Crystal Palace H0–3 12,394
24 26 December 1957Crystal Palace A1–2 16,797Coote
25 28 December 1957Colchester UnitedA1–1 9,548Francis
26 11 January 1958Norwich CityH7–1 11,850Francis (2), Rainford (2), Parsons, Coote, Newcombe
27 18 January 1958Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–1 11,090
28 1 February 1958Walsall H2–1 9,130Rainford, Parsons (pen)
29 8 February 1958Coventry CityA0–0 9,391
30 15 February 1958Shrewsbury TownH2–0 12,842Francis, Parsons
31 22 February 1958GillinghamA2–3 6,626Parsons, Towers
32 1 March 1958MillwallH4–1 12,919Towers (3), Francis
33 8 March 1958Swindon TownA1–4 12,755Francis
34 11 March 1958ReadingH2–1 13,230Towers (2)
35 15 March 1958AldershotH4–2 10,482Heath (2), Towers (2)
36 22 March 1958Newport County A2–1 5,621Heath, Rainford
37 24 March 1958 Port Vale A 1–0 5,149 Towers
38 29 March 1958Southend UnitedH4–2 12,890Towers (2), Francis (2)
39 4 April 1958 Torquay United A 1–0 8,216 Towers
40 5 April 1958Plymouth ArgyleA0–0 20,021
41 7 April 1958Torquay United H0–1 15,680
42 12 April 1958SouthamptonH0–0 11,663
43 19 April 1958 Brighton & Hove Albion A 1–1 25,613 Heath
44 23 April 1958ReadingA2–1 12,852Towers (2)
45 26 April 1958Port ValeH4–1 11,923Towers (3), Rainford
46 28 April 1958 Brighton & Hove Albion H 1–0 25,744 Goundry

FA Cup
Main article: 1957–58 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance
1R16 November 1957Millwall A0–1 20,097

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1957–58 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread (1936-04-01)1 April 1936 (aged 21) Youth 1954
GK Sonny Feehan (1926-09-17)17 September 1926 (aged 30) Northampton Town 1954
Defenders
DF Alan Bassham (1933-10-03)3 October 1933 (aged 23) Youth 1953
DF Ken Horne (1926-06-25)25 June 1926 (aged 31) Blackpool 1950
DF Sid Russell (1937-10-04)4 October 1937 (aged 19) Jolly X 1956
DF Tom Wilson (c) (1930-07-03)3 July 1930 (aged 27) Fulham 1957
Midfielders
HB George Bristow (1933-06-25)25 June 1933 (aged 24) Youth 1950
HB Ken Coote (1928-05-19)19 May 1928 (aged 29) Wembley 1949
HB Ian Dargie (1931-10-03)3 October 1931 (aged 25) Tonbridge 1952
HB Ron Peplow (1935-05-04)4 May 1935 (aged 22) Southall 1955
Forwards
FW Billy Bloomfield (1939-08-25)25 August 1939 (aged 17) Youth 1956
FW John Caven (1934-07-06)6 July 1934 (aged 23) Kilmarnock 1957
FW Christy Fletcher (1933-06-14)14 June 1933 (aged 24) Cheltenham Town 1957
FW George Francis (1934-02-04)4 February 1934 (aged 23) Youth 1955
FW Billy Goundry (1934-03-28)28 March 1934 (aged 23) Huddersfield Town 1955
FW Dennis Heath (1934-09-28)28 September 1934 (aged 22) Youth 1954
FW Len Newcombe (1931-02-28)28 February 1931 (aged 26) Fulham 1956
FW Eric Parsons (1923-11-09)9 November 1923 (aged 33) Chelsea 1956
FW Johnny Rainford (1930-12-11)11 December 1930 (aged 26) Cardiff City 1953
FW Jim Towers (1933-04-15)15 April 1933 (aged 24) Youth 1954
Players who left the club mid-season
HB Wendell Morgan (1935-04-22)22 April 1935 (aged 22) Cardiff City 1954 Transferred to Gillingham
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[2] Timeless Bees[7]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Malky MacDonald Manager
Fred Monk Trainer
Jack Holliday 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 Gerry Cakebread 45 0 1 0 46 0
GK Sonny Feehan 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF Alan Bassham 2 0 0 0 2 0
DF Ken Horne 37 0 1 0 38 0
DF Sid Russell 15 0 0 0 15 0
DF Tom Wilson 27 0 0 0 27 0
HB George Bristow 41 0 1 0 42 0
HB Ken Coote 45 2 1 0 46 2
HB Ian Dargie 46 0 1 0 47 0
HB Wendell Morgan 5 0 — 5 0
HB Ron Peplow 12 0 1 0 13 0
FW Billy Bloomfield 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW John Caven 6 1 0 0 6 1
FW Christy Fletcher 3 0 0 0 3 0
FW George Francis 45221 04622
FW Billy Goundry 12 1 1 0 13 1
FW Dennis Heath 15 5 0 0 15 5
FW Len Newcombe 37 4 1 0 38 4
FW Eric Parsons 30 7 1 0 31 7
FW Johnny Rainford 45 9 1 0 46 9
FW Jim Towers 36 29 0 0 36 29
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[2]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW Jim Towers 29 0 29
FW George Francis 22 0 22
FW Johnny Rainford 9 0 9
FW Eric Parsons 7 0 7
FW Dennis Heath 5 0 5
FW Len Newcombe 4 0 4
HB Ken Coote 2 0 2
FW John Caven 1 0 1
FW Billy Goundry 1 0 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total82082
  • 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 %
Malky MacDonald 24 August 1957 28 April 1958 47 24 10 13 051.06 46 24 10 12 052.17

Summary
Games played47 (46 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games won24 (24 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn10 (10 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost13 (12 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored82 (82 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded57 (56 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets18 (18 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win7–1 on two occasions
Worst league defeat3–0 versus Crystal Palace, 25 December 1957; 4–1 on two occasions
Most appearances47, Ian Dargie (46 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)29, Jim Towers
Top scorer (all competitions)29, Jim Towers

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
July 1957 GK Reg Newton Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [8]
July 1957 DF Tom Wilson Fulham n/a [9]
September 1957 FW Terry Curran Tottenham Hotspur n/a [10]
October 1957 FW John Caven Kilmarnock n/a [11]
December 1957 FW Christy Fletcher Cheltenham Town n/a [12]
1957 FW Paddy Walsh Hayes Amateur [13]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
July 1957 HB Terry Robinson Northampton Town Amateur [14]
September 1957 HB Wendell Morgan Gillingham n/a [12]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
July 1957 FW Jeff Taylor Retired [15]
May 1958 FW Frank Dudley Folkestone Town 1958 [16]
May 1958 GK Reg Newton Yiewsley 1958 [8]
May 1958 FW John Pearson Queens Park Rangers June 1958 [16]
May 1958 n/a Roy Yeatman Yiewsley 1958 [16]
1958 FW Paddy Walsh Southall 1958 [13]

References
  1. White 1989, p. 225-228.
  2. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 384. ISBN 0951526200.
  3. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1957-1958 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 30. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  5. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Table on Monday 28th April 1958 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  6. "Brentford | News | Where Are They Now? | Where Are They Now? | WHERE ARE THEY NOW? KEN HORNE – PART 2". Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  7. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  8. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 116.
  9. "Tom Wilson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  10. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 44.
  11. "John Caven". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  12. "Christy Fletcher". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  13. "Hayes & Yeading United FC: The Official Website". www.hyufc.com. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  14. "Terry Robinson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  15. "Annual Meeting Shock For "Bees" Supporters. TAYLOR QUITS FOOTBALL". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 5 July 1957.
  16. "Arrival And Departure". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 22 August 1958.
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