1984–85 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1984–85 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The season is best remembered for the club's first appearance in an Football League Trophy final, which was lost 3–1 to Wigan Athletic.

Brentford
1984–85 season
ChairmanMartin Lange
ManagerFrank McLintock
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division13th
FA CupThird round
League CupSecond round
Football League TrophyRunners-up
Top goalscorerLeague: Cassells,
Cooke (12)
All: Cassells,
G. Roberts (18)
Highest home attendance8,214
Lowest home attendance2,003
Average home league attendance4,048

Season summary

Frank McLintock began his preparations for his first full season as Brentford manager by trimming his squad, releasing goalkeeper Paddy Roche, defenders Jim McNichol, Ian Bolton, Graham Wilkins and forward Tony Mahoney.[1] His only significant signings were left back Jamie Murray from Cambridge United for £27,500 and centre back Steve Wignall from Colchester United for a £18,000 fee.[1]

Manager McLintock presided over a season of transition in the Third Division, treading water in mid-table through to the end of 1984 and then dropping further in the early months of 1985,[2] but the goals of £20,000 signing Robbie Cooke allayed any fears that the club would be sucked into a relegation battle for the second successive season.[1] The Bees repeated the previous season's feats in the League Cup and FA Cup, reaching the second and third rounds respectively.[2] McLintock gave teenage defenders Keith Millen and Roger Joseph their debuts late in the season and both of whom would go on to become key players for the club.[1][3] Brentford finished in 13th place in the Third Division.[4]

Brentford's 1984–85 season is chiefly remembered for the club's run to the final of the Football League Trophy.[1] The competition had been established in the 1982–83 season as the Football League Group Cup, but by 1984–85 the tournament had gained prestige, with sponsorship from Freight Rover and Wembley Stadium was announced as the venue for the final.[1] The Bees won six matches in a row to reach the final, scoring 17 goals and conceding just three and the final was reached after an emphatic 6–0 Southern Area Final win over Newport County at Griffin Park,[2] in which winger Gary Roberts scored four goals in a four-minute spell either side of half time.[1] The final versus Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium on 1 June 1985 was Brentford's first appearance at the ground since the 1942 London War Cup final,[5] but a disappointing defensive performance led to a 3–1 defeat, with Robbie Cooke scoring what proved to be the consolation goal.[6]

Two club records were set or equalled during the season:

  • Most Football League games without a clean sheet: 20 (29 September 1984 – 26 January 1985)[7]
  • Fastest hattrick (all competitions): 3 minutes – Gary Roberts (versus Newport County, Football League Trophy Southern Area final, 17 May 1985)[8]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
11 Walsall 46 18 13 15 58 52 +6 67
12 Rotherham United 46 18 11 17 55 55 0 65
13 Brentford 46 16 14 16 62 64 −2 62
14 Doncaster Rovers 46 17 8 21 72 74 −2 59
15 Plymouth Argyle 46 15 14 17 62 65 −3 59
Source:

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Pre-season
DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 August 1984WembleyA1–1 n/aHurlock
4 August 1984West Ham UnitedH1–0 2,109Cassells
7 August 1984Baldock TownA1–2 n/aMyers
11 August 1984Tottenham HotspurH0–3 3,612
15 August 1984ChelseaH0–3 2,775
20 August 1984Luton TownH0–2 893

Football League Third Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 25 August 1984OrientH0–1 4,171
2 1 September 1984WalsallA1–0 4,747Booker
3 8 September 1984Wigan AthleticH2–0 3,724Cassells, Salman
4 18 September 1984Rotherham UnitedA1–1 3,644Hurlock
5 22 September 1984Swansea CityH3–0 4,298Hurlock, Cassells (2)
6 29 September 1984Cambridge United A2–1 2,580Kamara, Cassells
7 2 October 1984Doncaster RoversH1–1 4,901Harle (og)
8 6 October 1984Bradford CityH0–1 4,196
9 13 October 1984MillwallA0–2 5,385
10 20 October 1984GillinghamH5–2 4,053G. Roberts (3), Alexander, Cassells
11 23 October 1984BurnleyA1–3 2,916Malley (og)
12 27 October 1984York CityH2–1 4,261Salman, G. Roberts
13 3 November 1984Bristol CityA1–1 7,674Kamara
14 7 November 1984Derby CountyA0–1 10,530
15 10 November 1984Lincoln CityH2–2 4,115Cassells, Booker
16 24 November 1984BournemouthA0–1 4,113
17 27 November 1984Newport County A0–2 1,589
18 1 December 1984Bolton WanderersH2–1 3,668Cassells, Kamara
19 15 December 1984Preston North EndA1–1 2,818G. Roberts
20 22 December 1984Hull City A0–4 6,354
21 26 December 1984Bristol Rovers H0–3 5,254
22 29 December 1984Reading H2–1 5,161Booker, Richardson (og)
23 1 January 1985Plymouth ArgyleA1–1 6,926Alexander
24 19 January 1985Wigan AthleticA1–1 3,358Cooke
25 26 January 1985 Newport County H 2–5 3,362 Kamara (pen), Cooke
26 2 February 1985Cambridge UnitedH2–0 3,254Cooke, Torrance
27 9 February 1985Swansea City A2–3 4,440Kamara, Cooke
28 16 February 1985Doncaster RoversA2–2 3,129Cooke, Salman
29 23 February 1985Bristol CityH1–2 4,526Booker
30 2 March 1985York CityA0–1 4,288
31 5 March 1985BurnleyH2–1 3,267Cooke, Butler
32 9 March 1985GillinghamA0–2 5,799
33 23 March 1985Bradford CityA4–5 6,038Cooke (3), Booker
34 27 March 1985WalsallH3–1 3,021G. Roberts, Hurlock, Cooke
35 30 March 1985 Derby County H 1–1 4,423 G. Roberts
36 6 April 1985Bristol RoversA0–3 4,419
37 8 April 1985Plymouth ArgyleH3–1 4,043Cassells (2, 1 pen), G. Roberts
38 13 April 1985Lincoln CityA1–1 1,980Cooke
39 16 April 1985 Orient A 1–0 3,164 Booker
40 20 April 1985BournemouthH0–0 3,559
41 23 April 1985Rotherham United H3–0 3,019G. Roberts (2), Cassells
42 27 April 1985 Bolton Wanderers A 1–1 4,230 Kamara
43 4 May 1985Preston North EndH3–1 3,476Booker, G. Roberts, Cooke
44 6 May 1985Reading A0–0 3,898
45 11 May 1985Hull City H2–1 4,309Skipper (og), Cassells (pen)
46 19 May 1985Millwall H1–1 5,050Cassells

FA Cup
Main article: 1984–85 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 17 November 1984 Bishop's Stortford H 4–0 3,948 Alexander (2), Cassells (2)
2R 8 December 1984 Northampton Town H 2–2 4,449 Alexander, Cassells (pen)
2R (replay) 17 December 1984 Northampton Town A 2–0 3,610 Hurlock, Cassells
3R5 January 1985Oldham Athletic A1–2 4,163 Kamara

Football League Cup
Main article: 1984–85 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R (1st leg) 28 August 1984 Cambridge United H 2–0 3,037 G. Roberts (2)
1R (2nd leg) 4 September 1984 Cambridge United A 0–1 (won 2–1 on aggregate) 2,347
2R (1st leg) 26 September 1984 Leicester City A 2–4 7,638 Alexander, Kamara
2R (2nd leg)9 October 1984Leicester City H0–2 (lost 6–2 on aggregate) 6,291

Football League Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
SR1 (1st leg) 6 February 1985 Reading A 3–1 2,500 Torrance (2), P. Roberts
SR1 (2nd leg) 26 February 1985 Reading H 2–0 (won 5–1 on aggregate) 2,011 Wignall, G. Roberts
SR2 19 March 1985 Cambridge United H 1–0 2,003 Cooke
SQF 11 April 1985 Swansea City A 2–0 1,653 Booker (2)
SSF 30 April 1985 Bournemouth A 3–2 4,657 Cooke (2), Kamara
SF 17 May 1985 Newport County H 6–0 8,214 Cassells (2, 1 pen), G. Roberts (4)
F 1 June 1985Wigan Athletic N1–3 39,897 Cooke [nb 1]
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[3] The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties,[6] Statto

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1984–85 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gary Phillips (1961-09-20)20 September 1961 (aged 22) Barnet 1984
GK Trevor Swinburne (1953-06-20)20 June 1953 (aged 31) Carlisle United 1983
Defenders
DF Bobby Fisher (1956-08-03)3 August 1956 (aged 28) Cambridge United 1984
DF Roger Joseph (1965-12-24)24 December 1965 (aged 18) Southall 1984
DF Keith Millen (1966-09-26)26 September 1966 (aged 17) Youth 1985
DF Jamie Murray (1958-12-27)27 December 1958 (aged 25) Cambridge United 1984
DF Paul Roberts (1962-04-27)27 April 1962 (aged 22) Millwall 1983
DF Danis Salman (1960-03-12)12 March 1960 (aged 24) Youth 1975
DF Steve Wignall (1954-09-17)17 September 1954 (aged 29) Colchester United 1984
Midfielders
MF Bob Booker (1958-01-25)25 January 1958 (aged 26) Bedmond Sports & Social 1978
MF Terry Bullivant (1956-09-23)23 September 1956 (aged 27) Charlton Athletic 1983
MF Terry Hurlock (c) (1958-11-22)22 November 1958 (aged 25) Leytonstone/Ilford 1980
MF Chris Kamara (1957-12-25)25 December 1957 (aged 26) Portsmouth 1981
MF Tony Lynch (1966-01-20)20 January 1966 (aged 18) Youth 1983
MF Gary Roberts (1960-04-05)5 April 1960 (aged 24) Wembley 1980
MF George Torrance (1957-09-17)17 September 1957 (aged 26) Wokingham Town 1984
Forwards
FW Rowan Alexander (1961-01-28)28 January 1961 (aged 23) St Mirren 1984
FW Steve Butler (1962-01-27)27 January 1962 (aged 22) Windsor & Eton 1984
FW Keith Cassells (1957-07-10)10 July 1957 (aged 27) Southampton 1983
FW Robbie Cooke (1957-02-16)16 February 1957 (aged 27) Cambridge United 1984 Loaned from Cambridge United before transferring permanently
FW Francis Joseph (1960-03-06)6 March 1960 (aged 24) Wimbledon 1982
Players who left the club mid-season
GK Richard Key (1956-04-13)13 April 1956 (aged 28) Orient 1984 Released
MF Tommy Finney (1952-11-06)6 November 1952 (aged 31) Cambridge United 1984 Released
MF Terry Rowe (1964-06-08)8 June 1964 (aged 20) Youth 1982 Released
  • Sources: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties,[9] Timeless Bees[10]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Frank McLintock Manager
John Docherty Assistant Manager
Ron Woolnough Physiotherapist
Ted Davies Chief Scout

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Substitute appearances in brackets.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Richard Key 1 0 — — — 1 0
GK Gary Phillips 21 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 28 0
GK Trevor Swinburne 24 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 32 0
DF Bobby Fisher 27 (1) 0 3 0 4 0 2 0 36 (1) 0
DF Roger Joseph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF Keith Millen 16 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 21 (1) 0
DF Jamie Murray 46 0 4 0 4 0 7 0 61 0
DF Paul Roberts 27 (1) 0 3 0 4 0 1 (1) 1 35 (2) 1
DF Danis Salman 43 3 4 0 4 0 7 0 58 3
DF Steve Wignall 36 0 3 0 2 0 6 1 47 1
MF Bob Booker 35 (3) 7 2 (1) 0 2 0 6 2 45 (4) 9
MF Terry Bullivant 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 (2) 0 8 (2) 0
MF Tommy Finney 5 0 1 0 2 0 — 8 0
MF Terry Hurlock 40 3 4 1 4 0 6 0 54 4
MF Chris Kamara 38 (1) 6 4 1 4 1 6 1 52 (1) 9
MF Tony Lynch 5 (5) 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 2 0 7 (6) 0
MF Gary Roberts 39 11 4 0 4 2 5 (1) 5 52 (1) 18
MF Terry Rowe 1 0 — 0 0 — 1 0
MF George Torrance 11 (2) 1 1 0 — 1 (2) 2 13 (4) 3
FW Rowan Alexander 17 (2) 2 3 3 2 1 0 (1) 0 22 (3) 6
FW Steve Butler 3 1 0 0 — 1 0 4 1
FW Keith Cassells 38 (2) 12 4 4 2 0 5 2 49 (2) 18
FW Robbie Cooke 24 12 — — 7 4 31 16
FW Francis Joseph 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 0
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties[11]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC FLC FLT Total
FW Keith Cassells 12 4 0 2 18
MF Gary Roberts 11 0 2 5 18
FW Robbie Cooke 12 — — 4 16
MF Bob Booker 7 0 0 2 9
MF Chris Kamara 6 1 1 1 9
FW Rowan Alexander 2 3 1 0 6
MF Terry Hurlock 3 1 0 0 4
DF Danis Salman 3 0 0 0 3
MF George Torrance 1 0 — 2 3
FW Steve Butler 1 0 — 0 1
DF Paul Roberts 0 0 0 1 1
DF Steve Wignall 0 0 0 1 1
Opponents 4 0 0 0 4
Total629 4 1893
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties[11]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Frank McLintock 25 August 1984 1 June 1985 61 25 15 21 040.98 46 16 14 16 034.78

Summary
Games played61 (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy)
Games won25 (16 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 6 Football League Trophy)
Games drawn15 (14 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy)
Games lost21 (16 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
Goals scored93 (62 Third Division, 9 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 18 Football League Trophy)
Goals conceded81 (64 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 7 League Cup, 6 Football League Trophy)
Clean sheets15 (8 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 4 Football League Trophy)
Biggest league win3–0 on two occasions; 5–2 versus Gillingham, 20 October 1984
Worst league defeat4–0 versus Hull City, 22 December 1984
Most appearances61, Jamie Murray (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy)
Top scorer (league)12, Keith Cassells, Robbie Cooke
Top scorer (all competitions)18, Keith Cassells, Gary Roberts

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
July 1984 DF Jamie Murray Cambridge United £27,500 [12]
August 1984 DF Roger Joseph Southall Trial [12]
August 1984 GK Richard Key Orient n/a [12]
August 1984 DF Steve Wignall Colchester United £18,000 [12]
September 1984 GK Rowan Alexander St Mirren £25,000 [12]
December 1984 FW Steve Butler Windsor & Eton n/a [12]
December 1984 GK Gary Phillips Barnet £4,000 [12]
December 1984 MF George Torrance Wokingham Town n/a [12]
March 1985 FW Robbie Cooke Cambridge United £20,000 [12]
April 1985 DF Jamie Bates Crystal Palace n/a [12]
Players loaned in
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
January 1985 FW Robbie Cooke Cambridge United March 1985 [12]
Players loaned out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
December 1984 DF Tony Spencer Aldershot March 1985 [12]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
July 1984 DF Ian Bolton Barnet July 1984 [13]
September 1984 GK Richard Key Sunderland October 1984 [12]
October 1984 DF Terry Rowe Wichita Wings 1984 [12]
December 1984 MF Tommy Finney Cambridge United December 1984 [12]
April 1985 DF Tony Spencer Retired [12]
May 1985 MF Terry Bullivant Retired [12]
May 1985 DF Paul Roberts n/a [12]
May 1985 GK Trevor Swinburne Leeds United June 1985 [12]

Awards

Notes
  1. Match played at Wembley Stadium, London.

References
  1. White, p. 324-326.
  2. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1984-1985 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  3. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 398. ISBN 0951526200.
  4. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford League Table 1984-1985 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  5. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 135. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  6. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 124-136.
  7. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford scoring and sequence records - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  8. Brentford's Official Matchday Magazine versus AFC Bournemouth. 16 November 1996. p. 2.
  9. Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. ISBN 978-1906796716.
  10. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  11. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 426.
  12. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 138-144.
  13. "Watford Football Club archive 1881–2017 » Players – Battocchio to Bolton" (PDF). p. 40. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  14. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 383.
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