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Brentford

England

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Brentford Football Club is a professional football club that is based within Brentford, West London, England. They play in the Premier League, the highest league in English football. They gained promotions through playoffs following the conclusion of 2020-21 Championship season. They are known as "the Bees", the club was formed in 1889. They played home games on Griffin Park from 1904 before shifting into Brentford Community Stadium in 2020. The main opponents are West London based clubs Fulham and Queens Park Rangers.

Brentford initially played in the amateur league before entering into the London League in 1896 and were runners-up of their Second Division and then the First Division to win election to the Southern League in 1898. They were crowned an award in the Southern League Second Division in 1900-01 before being elected to the Football League in 1920. Brentford was awarded its Third Division South title in 1932-33 as well as they also won the Second Division title in 1934-35. The club enjoyed a long-lasting time in the top tier of English football with a record of fifth place in the First Division, in 1935-36 which was their best ever league performance, before three relegations forced them to the Fourth Division by 1962. They were named Fourth Division champions in 1962-63 and were later relegated 1966, and then again in 1973 after being promoted in 1971-72. Brentford played 14 seasons playing in the Third Division after gaining promotion in 1977-78. The team then won their Third Division title in 1991-92 but were then relegated in 1993.

Brentford were knocked down to the fourth division in 1998. The club then gained promotion as champions during the 1998-99 season. They were demoted in 2007 and then won promotion by being champions of League Two in 2008-09 and after that, they were promoted from League One in 2013-14. They failed to win Championship play-offs in 2015 and in 2020. Brentford are not a great team in finals, having finished as second in three associate Member Cup/ Football League Trophy finals (1985 2001, and the 2011) as well as losing in four play-offs (the 1997 Second Division final, 2002 Second Division final, 2013 League One final and 2020 Championship final). But, Brentford won the 2021 Championship final and was promoted to the highest league to the highest level for the first-time since 1946-47.

 

 

1. History

History of Brentford Football Club

1.1. 1889 to 1954

Brentford Football Club English professional club of football located within Brentford, Hounslow, London. The club was formed in the month of October, 1889, and was the latest attempt by local sportsmen to establish an ongoing football or rugby team in Hounslow. By the year 1896, Brentford had joined the London League, progressing to the Southern League in 1898 and joining into the Football League in 1920.

Following an appointment by Harry Curtis as manager in 1926, it was the start of Brentford's most prosperous period and was followed by promotions in the years 1933 and 1935 leading the club to the top tier in English soccer for the very first time ever in their history. Three consecutive top-six finishes within the First Division established Brentford as one of the best clubs in England however, the decline began in 1938 that led to the club's being dropped again to Third Division South. Third Division South by 1954.

1.1.1. Founding (1889)

In 1889 the city of Brentford, Middlesex was home to the Brentford Rowing Club and the Boston Park Cricket Club. The attempts to establish clubs for rugby and football in the town fell to being abandoned until the brand new recreation facility was inaugurated on October 17th, 1889. Seven days before there was a meeting that took place in the Oxford & Cambridge pub near Kew Bridge, during which the members of the cricket and rowing club members to figure out what the best way to utilize the field for recreation in the hopes of forming the first permanent rugby or football association in the city. The founder of the rowing club's rowing club Archer Green immediately submitted an application to Chiswick Local Board. Chiswick Local Board for the recreation facility's use and an appointment together with board members was set to take place on October 15. The meeting was not conclusive and it was decided the issue would be considered again at the board's following meeting, which was scheduled for three weeks after. Archer Green and fellow rowing club co-founder John Henry Strachan did not intend to rest and demanded to create the club in a different way.

On the 16th of October, 1889 the members of the rowing clubs were again in the Oxford & Cambridge pub and they voted that the club will have association football. It would and be named "Brentford Football Club" and be adorned in salmon, claret , and light blue colors, the same as that of the club's rowers. J. J. K. Curtis was elected the club's inaugural captain along with J. Hinton Bailey as vice-captain. Archer Green became secretary, along with Richard Dennington Beaver, A. Drabble, H. L. Edwardes, H. Gaterell, and C. West elected to form the first committee. John Henry Strachan became one of the six vice-presidents. The issue with the ground of the club was swiftly addressed, with the President Edwin Underwood promising the use of a field in front of that of the Local Board offices at Clifden House, Brentford.

1.1.2. Cup and friendly matches (1889–1896)

On October 26, in 1889, the team held their first match of practice (featuring gentlemen who had paid a five-sixth annual fee for becoming part of the organization) and on the 23rd of November, the first match in competition was played against Kew and ended in an 1-1 draw featuring T. H. M. Bonell scoring Brentford's goal. From that point until the conclusion of the 1889-90 season games for friends were played on a majority of Saturdays. Brentford continued to host friendly matches throughout the 1890-91 season. They also began to participate in into the West Middlesex Cup, with the first match played in a competitive manner ending with the first round of a 6-0 loss to Southall on the 8th of November in 1890.

In the 1892-1993 seasons, Brentford join into a league for the very first time, that of the West London Alliance - and the club relocated from Benn's Field, Little Ealing in the month of October 1892. The team performed admirably and finished the season on top in the league, winning all of their matches and winning 10 of 12 games, however the board decided not join for the next season, despite not being presented with an award. Now captaining by Arthur Charlton (referred to as "probably the club's greatest athlete"), Brentford won its first tournament in the 1894-95 season winning against the eighth Hussars with a 4-2 score in the championship game of the West Middlesex Cup at Fred Rouse's Field in Southall. [8] It was in the 1894-95 season when Brentford's first nickname of "The Bs" originated, when the amateur players Joseph Gettins sang Borough Road College's war cry "buck up Bs" during a game. The local press translated the name in the form of "the Bees", which stuck , and eventually became Brentford's nickname.

1.1.3. Election to the London League (1896–1898)

Brentford played friendly and cup matches until 1896 after which Brentford was voted into the Second Division of the London League. Buoyed by the scoring of Oakey Field and playing in the midst of an average home crowd around 1,500 spectators on Shotter's Field, the Bees placed second in the standings behind Bromley in order to be promoted into the First Division after losing just one game throughout the season. Brentford had the best season to date in its brief existence, ending second at the top of the London League First Division and winning the London Senior Cup and the Middlesex Senior Cup. The only negative was that the team had not yet found an appropriate home, and ended the season losing money because of having to play games at neutral venues. Brentford was later allowed to rejoin in the London League for the 1900-01 season and would remain until 1903-04 ended with little success because the club's primary concentration being on playing in the Southern League competition.

1.1.4. Second Division (1898–1901)

Brentford's London League achievements and status to be one of the best amateur teams in London resulted in being admitted to the Second Division (London section) of the Southern League for the 1898-99 season. A number of prominent players who had played in the previous season left (including the prolific forward Oakey Field and captain Arthur Charlton) and the club relocated into Cross Road near South Ealing station. The ground was owned by local team Brentford Celtic. Despite not paying new players more than the cost of their travel to get them to join the club (an illicit transfer), Brentford finished fourth in the 12-team division. The club also had the FA Cup debut, being defeated at the very first having to with Clapton during the 3rd qualifying round. The 1899-2000 season was mediocre by a mediocre 1899-1900 season, in when the club became an official outfit.

Everything went well for Brentford during the season 1900-01. The club was now operating at Boston Park Cricket Ground and under the management of manager/secretary William Lewis, the squad was overhauled. Peter Turnbull (supported ably by Roddy McLeod, Ralph McElhaney, Joe Turner and E. Andrews) finished the season as the Southern League's highest scorer and led his Bees into winning victory over the Second Division title. The draw against Swindon Town in the promotion/relegation test match ensured that the Robins were able to keep the First Division status, but the Brentford earned a spot in the top division in July 1901 following Gravesend United dropped out of the Southern League.

 

1.1.5. First Division (1901-1913)

There were changes on and off the field on York Road during the 1901 off-season. 'The Brentford Football and Sports Club is licensed as a restricted liability business and almost a completely new team was being formed. With the loss of Captain Robert Stormont for a time due to an injury as well as an expulsion due to fighting during a match and the Bs finished the 1901-02 season 15th within the division of 16 teams. They were spared relegation following a draw 1-1 against Grays United in a promotion/relegation test match that Grays were able to forfeit after refusing to play for extra time. In the remaining 1900s, the lack of financial power led to the fact that the successive coaches William Lewis, Dick Molyneux and William Brown were unable to finish higher than mid-table within the First Division. Manager Molyneux changed the colours of Brentford in 1903 to gold and dark blue stripes, the colours of racing that were the colours of Walter Rothschild, a patron of the club.

Brentford relocated into Griffin Park, its first permanent home, at the right the midst in 1904-05 season. The Bees were in the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in 1905 and advanced through the final round prior to falling to Liverpool at Anfield. Despite the 18 goals scored by Geordie Reid Brentford was relegated to the First Division in 1908-09, however, they were not relegated. The club's win of the Southern Professional Charity Cup proved to be just a sliver of satisfaction of secretary manager Fred Halliday in his first season as the club's manager. On April 19, 1909 expectations about the likelihood of the club's being admitted into the Football League were quashed, after the league's clubs decided to vote to reject Queens Park Rangers' proposal to let they should be part of the Southern League First Division be joined together with the Football League, to create the Third Division. In 1909, the Brentford's colors were changed to blue and gold-colored shirts. The manager Fred Halliday lasted in the position until November 1912 at which point he returned to his secretary duties, while the captain Dusty Rhodes was installed as manager of the players. Despite a first improvement in performance, nine losses in the 11 matches of 1912-13 lead to Brentford's demotion after an 11-season stint with the First Division.

1.1.6. Back in the Second Division (1913–1915)

Dusty Rhodes was reappointed as manager and player in his 1913-14 Southern League Second Division season and the majority of professional players from earlier seasons were either sold or let go. Despite the fact that there was a lack of funds due to high costs (which was compensated by the club's smallest professional wage of PS1,630, which is equivalent to PS170,600 by 2022), Brentford managed a third-place finishing. The Bees were unable to get their travel subsidy of their Southern League cut for the 1914-15 season, and the prospects for the future were grim with the possibility of a decrease in attendance in Griffin Park, due to most of the clubs of the Second Division being located in the Midlands as well as in the North West and Wales.

On the 4th of August 1914, Britain's declaration to war against Germany could have a negative impact on the team's preparations for preseason and as the season started the team was diminished due to the exile of players who fought or be employed in the munitions industry. By the end of March 1915, only Ted Price, Dusty Rhodes and Alec Barclay remained of the XI that began the season. Utilizing guests and amateurs and guests, the Bees were able to finish in the middle of the table. In July 1915 they announced that the Southern League cancelled its competition during the First World War.

1.1.7. First World War

Brentford participated at Brentford played in the London Combination during the First World War under the secretary-manager Fred Halliday, finishing in the lower part of the division throughout the 1917-18, 1916-17 and 1915-16 seasons. The team was decimated by the enlisting of players for duty or for war however, Ted Price, Dusty Rhodes, Henry White, Alf Amos and Patsy Hendren could continue to play for the majority of the games of the club. There was a lot of turnover of players as 42 players were utilized during the 1915-16 season as well as more than 58 players in the 1917-18. In this time, the team wore dark blue shirts and gold collars.

The Hundred Days Offensive underway in France when the 1918-19 season began, the feeling of hope about was a sign that the First World War would soon be over reflected on the Bs. 26 goals scored by Henry White, 25 from guest Jack Cock and 14 from Fred Morley saw Brentford win the London Combination title 4 points clear of the closest challengers Arsenal. Following the Armistice and the PS2-a-week wage (plus costs) for professional players ensured that Brentford had a profit of around PS2,000. This was used to improve Griffin Park and paying off the debts. [26Left outside Patsy Hendren acted as a representative for England in an Victory International versus Wales in October 1919.

1.1.8. Final Southern League season (1919–1920)

Brentford declined the chance to join the Football League for the 1919-20 season, instead requesting admission into the First Division of the Southern League and was granted. The team was playing in its debut season at the top of the Southern League for the first time since 1912-13, secretary manager Fred Halliday signed almost an all-new team with Patsy Hendren, and Ted Price the only survivors from the previous season. Henry White left the club for playing league football at Arsenal and the losing of his goals led to finishing 15th.

1.1.9. Early Football League seasons (1920–1926)

The year was 1920. Brentford as well as 20 other Southern League First Division clubs were voted into the Football League as founder members of the Third Division for the 1920-21 season. The team's colours were changed to black shirts and white shorts. New players signed, and the Bees first ever Football League match took place on the 28th of August 1920 in the Exeter City's St James Park, which ended in a 3-0 loss. Despite the 18 goals scored by Harry King, a lack of goals from other players in the team resulted in Brentford to finish 21st and the club was reinstated into the league without having to go through a poll.

Archie Mitchell took over as manager of the players during the off-season in 1921 and, buoyed with Harry Morris' 17 goals, Brentford finished 9th in 1921-22. However, it proved not to be the true start, with the three-time departure of Alf Amos Harry Anstiss and George Pither to Millwall in 1922, and Morris and captain Bertie Rosier's defections to Millwall in the month of February resulting in two mid-table finishings. The dreadful start to the 1924-25 season caused Mitchell to resign in December 1924, and Fred Halliday assuming the manager's job for the third time and final time, and having to file a lawsuit for re-election at the conclusion in the 1924-25 season. Halliday continued to be the manager for 1925-26. The team, even though they finished 18th and an all-time club record of goal conceded in league play, offered a bright future, with the breakout that saw forwards Ernie Watkins, Jack Lane and Alfred Douglas. In 1925, the Brentford's white shirts were replaced with the classic white and red stripes.

1.1.10. Building a team (1926–1932)

The team was transformed the moment it was announced at Griffin Park during the 1926 off-season, and the former Gillingham manager Harry Curtis being installed as manager. The team was comprised of just nine members from the squad from last season's were kept, however, despite mid-table finishes in the next three seasons, Curtis slowly rebuilt the team by acquiring successful full backs William Hodge, Alexander Stevenson as well as Half backs Jimmy Bain, Reginald Davies and forwards Bill Berry and Jack Phillips.

In 1929-29, the Third Division South season provided the basis for the Bees to achieve their goals in the future as they set a record of unbeaten record at home of 21 wins, the national record, which is in use in the present. Significant signings for the future were made with the club, including left-side defender Jackie Foster, centre forward Billy Lane, left back Tom Adamson and a masterstroke local non-league centre-half Joe James, who would be among the team's most outstanding midfielders. While Brentford achieved a club record of 28 league matches, the failure to replicate that success in the absence of Griffin Park denied the club advancement in the Second Division after finishing as runners-up to Plymouth Argyle. The team finished in the third and fifth places in the seasons of 1930-31 and 1931-32 in addition to the selling of important forwards Jack Lane and Billy Lane however, a wise decision was made to invest with the inside forward George Robson, and the purchase from England amateur international left-half Jackie Burns proved to be an excellent move.

1.1.11. Promotion to the Second Division and beyond (1932–1935)

Curtis was a prolific player in 1932. transfers in 1932 that would bring Brentford on a steady upwards path - Jack Holliday, Billy Scott, Ernest Muttitt, new captain Herbert Watson (all from Middlesbrough), Idris Hopkins (Crystal Palace) and a key acquisition for the next season, Albion Rovers' Duncan McKenzie. The Bees triumphed to winning the 1932-33 Third Division South title, with Jack Holliday scoring a club-record 39 goals. This included five three-goal hat-tricks. The Bees performed very well throughout this Second Division, strengthened with the signing from forward Charlie Fletcher and later in the season Full back Arthur Bateman. Brentford retained the second position in the promotion race through March and February 1934, but a late attack from Preston North End saw the Lilywhites beat the Bees to the top spot. The majority of the team's goals in 1933-34 was scored by forward lines, causing Curtis to conduct a purge of his backlines and release old Tom Adamson, Jimmy Bain, Alexander Stevenson and both goalkeepers of the first team.

The most notable of Curtis's 1934 off-season hires were goalkeeper James Mathieson and full back George Poyser, plus Jimmy Bain became assistant manager. It was the goals that the "Big Five" frontline (Scott, Holliday, Muttitt, Fletcher and Hopkins) ensured Brentford within the Second Division promotion places throughout the entirety of 1934-35. after dominating the table three times throughout the season on the 2nd of March 1935 The Bees did not relinquish the top spot. They cruised to the title and advancement up to First Division for the first time in the club's history. Brentford also achieved a rare victory by winning both the London Challenge Cup and the London Challenge Cup.

1.1.12. First Division heyday (1935–1939)

After advancing from the third tier to the first within the space of only three seasons coach Harry Curtis elected to keep his team intact in 1935 and 1936 for his First Division season. A new extension of New Road's terrace New Road terrace increased Griffin Park's capacity up to 40,000. This would bring in an additional income. After just 15 matches, Brentford looked certainties to be eliminated However, the addition of half-back Dai Richards and forwards David McCulloch and Bobby Reid in mid-season helped make a dramatic turnaround with the Bees performing at their best in all four divisions. losing only two of the last 23 games and ending with the club's record-setting position of 5th. 

Brentford was able to surpass expectations in the 1936-37 and 1937-38 seasons with the club finishing 6th in both seasons and making it to the FA Cup sixth round for the first time in the later season. Brentford reached its peak in the months between November 1937 and February 1938 securing the top position on the First Division for 17 consecutive games. The success in the achievements of Bees members in the top division were not unnoticed by the international selection committee, with Duncan McKenzie and Bobby Reid (Scotland) as well as the previously-capped stars David McCulloch (Scotland) and Idris Hopkins and Dai Richards (Wales) in the international squad. In the month of October, 1936, Billy Scott became Brentford's first full England international.

The 1938-39 season marked the first season that marked the end of Brentford's high point. The clock had slowed down for the stalwarts Scott, Muttitt, Holliday and Bateman and the club's diminished standing led to the sale of McKenzie, McCulloch, Eastham, Reid and McAloon. While more than PS31,000 was put into the bank (equivalent to around PS2,105,800 in 2022) just over 50% of the money was spent on three players namely Republic of Ireland international full back Bill Gorman and forwards Les Boulter and Tommy Cheetham. Six wins from a total of 10 games between February and April 1939 helped to lift Brentford out of the relegation zone. The season ended in late April the forward, a young player from home Les Smith became the second Brentford player to earn the full England cap. Les Boulter scored on his only appearance for Wales.

1.1.13. Relegation and Harry Curtis's final years (1946–1949)

The team of Brentford's 1946-47, the first season of competitive play following the Second World War, was supported by the aging core of the 1939-40 squad, even though Jack Holliday, Joe James (both both retired), Les Smith, Tommy Cheetham and George Poyser had already quit the club, and the free-scoring Bob Thomas could not be convinced to stay. Its forward lines were weaker due to leaving Fred Durrant, Gerry McAloon (who was only signed for Brentford in the month of December, 1945) and George Wilkins during the season. The three new Scottish mid-season additions added strength to the back line (Archie Macaulay George Paterson and Malky MacDonald) However, the decline was not prevented and the Bees fell out of their First Division.

After narrowly avoiding another defeat in 1947-48, coach Harry Curtis announced that the 1948-49 season would be his final in charge, possibly because of pressure from Brentford directors to resign and his good rapport with the chairman Louis P. Simon had ended following Simon's demise in November of 1943. His long-time assistant trainer Bob Kane also elected to quit, to be replaced Jimmy Hogan. Jackie Gibbons was installed as manager-player in February 1949 that brought to an end Curtis's tenure of almost 23 years. Curtis continued to work for his club through the close of the season 1948-49 as an advisor to Gibbons. The season concluded with a mediocre 18th place finish, but notably in the FA Cup sixth round fixture against Leicester City set a new record attendance for the club of 38,678.

1.1.14. Financial struggles and another relegation (1949–1954)

Despite consecutive 9th-place finishes during the seasons 1949-50 and 1950-51 and a spot lower in the 1951-52 season, secretary-manager Jackie Gibbons had worked wonders with a lack of funds to purchase players. Cheap purchases Ken Coote, George Bristow, Ian Dargie, Billy Dare and Ken Horne would each go into the next 200 games for their club. The team's inability to produce power in Gibbons the span of his three years as the manager demonstrated in the manner that full-back along with part-time forward Fred Monk was one of three players to complete an entire season with a score at least the double figures.

Gibbons was dismissed just before the start of the 1952-53 season , and his long-standing manager Jimmy Bain took over as interim manager. Brentford was a bit hesitant about positions of relegation before Tommy Lawton was appointed player-manager on the 2nd of January, 1953. Lawton led Brentford to finish 17th however, after only one win from the first six games of the season 1953-54, Lawton resigned and was transferred to Arsenal just two weeks later. The player Fred Monk took caretaker charge prior to Bill Dodgin Sr. was appointed on October 1, 1953. At that point, the damage was already accomplished and despite the appointment of the future star Johnny Rainford, Brentford's relegation to the Third Division South was confirmed on the final day the season, following an 0-3 loss at Leicester City at Griffin Park

1.2. 1954 to 1986

Brentford Football Club is an English professional football club that is based at Brentford, Hounslow, London. The club was formed in the month of October, 1889, and was the latest attempt by local sportsmen to establish an all-time rugby or football team in Hounslow. In the year 1896 Brentford began to join in the London League, progressing to the Southern League in 1898 and becoming a member of in the Football League in 1920.

Brentford's ascendance through its position in the Third Division South to the First Division had come full circle by the year 1954, and Brentford back in an inferior tier, for the very first time since. After consistently battling at promotion into the Second Division in the mid-late 1950s, a decline was evident and led to the club being relegated to the Fourth Division in 1962 and the club nearly dissolved out of existence by the year 1967. Brentford was a yo-yo across both the Third as well as the Fourth Divisions through much of the 1970s and 1960s, before finally being re-established in the Third Division following its promotion in the year 1978.

 

1.2.1. Back in the Third Division South (1954–1957)

Being relegated to the Third Division South at the conclusion of the season 1953-54 was the reason that 1954-55 would be Brentford's first season in the bottom tier for the last 21 years. The sale of PS10,000 to Jimmy Bloomfield was used to reduce debts. Even although the manager Bill Dodgin Sr. had no money to invest with, the team's growing efficiency under Alf Bew provided Brentford with a plethora of talented players from home.

Through the season, the departure of players such as forwards Jim Towers, George Francis, Dennis Heath and goalkeeper Gerry Cakebread, allied with the knowledge of former youths Wally Bragg and George Bristow and George Bristow, was to be crucial to the future push for promotion. After an unbeaten run in the table in 1954-55, Jim Towers' 22 goals in the season 1955-56 led Brentford to the 6th spot. George Francis established himself as Towers the striker's partner in 1956-57 and scored 24 goals to ensure another top-half finish. The club announced in March 1957 that the manager Dodgin would be leaving Brentford at the conclusion of the 1956-57 season.

1.2.2. "The Terrible Twins" (1957–1961)

Before the start in the 1957-1958 Third Division South season, the former Brentford fullback Malky MacDonald was named manager. "The Terrible Twins" strike combination comprised of Jim Towers and George Francis was on top form over the initial four seasons of MacDonald's tenure, scoring over 200 goals. Towers 37 goals between 1958 and 1959 earned him the top scorer in the Third Division (a total that was just two goals behind Jack Holliday's record at the club) and the Twins scored fifty-one of Bees the scores in the league in the course of the season. Manager MacDonald was able to put together a solid team during the latter half of 1950 and into the early 1960s, at different times , being able use goalie Gerry Cakebread, full backs Ken Horne, Tom Wilson and Half backs George Bristow, Ian Dargie, Ken Coote, Billy Goundry and forwards supporting them Johnny Rainford, Dennis Heath, Len Newcombe, George McLeod and Eric Parsons.

After three straight top-six finishes The rot began to set in during the 1960-61 campaign, with the bad form on the field amplified by the revelations from the boardroom about the company's debts of around the sum of PS50,000 (equivalent to PS1,184,100 by 2022). A bizarre decision the first kit that Brentford had chosen to wear was altered to amber shirts and an 'V' in blue around the neck. This was ultimately a one-season experiment. Partners in the strike Towers and Francis were asked to be placed onto the list of transferees in January as did John Docherty, who had only played in 19 games at the club was released for a fee of PS17,000 in March. Brentford completed the 1960-61 campaign with a 17th-place finish and the veteran players Bristow, Goundry, Heath, Horne and Parsons were released.

1.2.3. Relegation to the Fourth Division (1961–1963)

In an attempt to reduce the debt of Brentford, Jim Towers and George Francis were transferred in a deal with the rival club Queens Park Rangers for £8,000 and the club cut the player roster down to 16 with only 6 players on an hourly basis. The decision of the board proved to be disastrous and despite the signings the former England player Johnny Brooks, outside right Micky Block, as well as his return George Francis, the Bees ended up finishing second from bottom of the 1961-62 Third Division and were relegated.

Director Malky MacDonald was given a large war chest from Chairman Jack Dunnett for Brentford's first season in the Fourth Division, bringing in the wing-half Matt Crowe (£5,000) and inside forward Billy McAdams (£10,000). Three defeats in the initial five games in the campaign saw the cash register open once more with the £17,000 John Dick arriving at Griffin Park to complete three former internationals in the forward line , along with Billy McAdams and Johnny Brooks. As the Bees were gaining momentum they added £12,000 centre half Mel Scott and £7,000 outside right John Fielding were also added to the roster. The club made it into the promotion positions in the latter part of October 1962. was promoted to the top two positions in February 1963 and was at the top of the table at the top for the first time in its history since the first day in the league on the 29th of March 1963. Even though they won just seven of the final 14 games of the season Brentford ended the 1962-63 season with the title of Fourth Division champions. Dick McAdams, McAdams, and Brooks played the bulk of Brentford's goals, scoring the team 69 times in total.

1.2.4. Failure to buy promotion from the Third Division (1963–1967)

It was an instance of "same old the similar to" during the Third Division, the 1963-64 season being notable only for Ken Coote's last appearance in the Brentford shirt, with the full back retiring following an all-time club record of 559 appearances. Brentford's prospects of promotion in the Second Division looked good throughout the beginning of the season 1964-65, with the Bees in the top spot until October 1964. However, in January 1965 the manager Malky MacDonald made the announcement that he was going to step in his managerial role at the conclusion of the season. The club immediately put him on leave from gardening, as well as coach Tommy Cavanagh took over the manager's post. The poor form at home could ultimately be the reason for Brentford's fifth-place finish.

It was believed at Griffin Park that Brentford's squad could be back in contention to be promoted to into the Third Division, little transfer activity was seen in the pre-season of 1965-66. In November the Bees were looking at possibility of relegation. Jimmy Bloomfield was sold for PS6,500. John Docherty returned to the club, and Bobby Ross and John Regan were signed as part of the form of a double-deal worth PS10,000 for Shrewsbury Town. In the last seven weeks, still in relegation Tommy Cavanagh was sacked and was replaced with Billy Gray. The latter failed to deliver the magic required, and Brentford were once again sent into fourth division. Fourth Division.

1.2.5. 19 January 1967

In January 1967, Brentford had spent PS114,000 in transfer fees during the past five years (with only £30,000 being recouped from fees collected) Attendances had decreased to 50% from the start of the 1965-66 season , and Brentford was losing £400 per week. The chairman of the club, Dunnett at the Brentford's AGM at the end of December in 1966 that the club's revenue had dropped by £20,000 in the prior year's financial year, and that he planned on trading his share in Brentford. The previous month there was an inquiry from nearby Queens Park Rangers, suggesting that both clubs have a common ground in Griffin Park. On the 19th of January, 1967, it was reported about the fact that Dunnett along with his Queens Park Rangers counterpart Jim Gregory reached an agreement that Brentford's feared rivals would relocate to Griffin Park, Rangers' base Loftus Road would be redeveloped for housing, and Brentford as a team, would be dissolved. It was immediately apparent that the remaining members part of the Brentford board was not aware of the agreement.

After a turbulent month of protests by fans (led by Peter Pond-Jones) discussions and contributions of the sum of £8,500 (equivalent to £164,100 by 2022) Six-man syndicate led by the former Plymouth Argyle chairman Ron Blindell was appointed Dunnett's shareholders on February 23rd, 1967. The syndicate promised a bridging loan for 12 months of £104,000. The next date, Blindell, as chairman assumed control of the football club. Director Billy Gray followed Dunnett out of Griffin Park and trainer Jimmy Sirrel was appointed manager. Brentford's form improved after the change, and finished the season in the 9th place, nine points from the final place for promotion. The Bees also took home the London Challenge Cup for the second time in the space of three seasons.

1.2.6. Brentford Borough (1967–1968)

The Brentford team began the 1967-68 season aware that they weren't completely out of the woods because of the club's £100,000 loan (equivalent to £1,931,000 by 2022) that had to be settled before June 30, 1968. In his first season in charge, Jimmy Sirrel had just 16 players and was forced to augment the squad with loans. accomplishing a phenomenal job. He was hovering around 6th place in the table by November 1967. It was revealed in the 1967 AGM that Brentford was operating at break-even however by the time it was Brentford was slipping into the bottom of the table. £12,000 was invested in forwards Ron Fenton and Allan Mansley in January of 1968, however they were unable to stop the decline.

On the 11th of March, 1968 the chairman Ron Blindell announced that plans were in the works to quit Griffin Park and relocate into Hillingdon's Leas Stadium. It turned out that Queen Park Rangers chairman Jim Gregory was reviving the club's passion for Griffin Park and had offered £250,000 to use the stadium, a sum that would pay off the debt of £135,000 in a matter of minutes in the event that the club relocated to Hillingdon. It was announced that the name "Brentford Borough FC" was already chosen for the Hillingdon-based team However, this time Brentford was saved at the last minute by the former director Walter Wheatley granting the club an interest-free loan of just £69,000 that could be paid back over twelve months. Even with a poor performance in the second quarter of 1967-68's season Brentford was able to drop one place, to 14th.

1.2.7. Recovery and promotion (1969–1972)

The addition of Pat Terry replacing the departed Ian Lawther up front, Brentford led the way at the start of the season in 1968-69 before slipping back into the mid-table. Two seasons later, after having to play with small teams the boss Jimmy Sirrel was able to grow by adding a variety of players who signed free transfers. However, the sale of £10,000 of John Richardson to help balance the books resulted in Sirrel with only 13 healthy players available in the middle of October 1969. Despite his efforts in keeping Brentford within fourth place in the Fourth Division promotion hunt, Sirrel left Brentford to join Notts County in November 1969. A player Ron Fenton took caretaker charge prior to Frank Blunstone was installed as manager in the middle of December. New Zealand international Brian Turner and forward Roger Cross proved to be two of Blunstone's key initial signings, but at the end, Brentford missed out on promotion by three points having lost three of its final seven games.

Although the 1970-71 season was mostly remembered for its run to the fifth round in the FA Cup, it allowed for the formation of a well-established Brentford XI, with Ross, Nelmes, Cross, Gelson, Turner, Renwick and new recruit Jackie Graham all making over 40 appearances. This FA Cup run boosted the team's earnings for the year to around £20,000, which was enough to pay the final installment of Ron Blindell's loan of PS104,000 to the club starting in February 1967. With the help of goals scored by John O'Mara, Brentford raced through the traps in the season of 1971-72 and was atop the Fourth Division table for much of the time between the month of August 1971 to January 1972. The first-season form was achieved by a mere 12 players, with being led by forward Roger Cross having been sold to nearby club Fulham for the sum of £30,000. The money was put back into the outside left Michael Allen, but manager Blunstone chose to boost his team by loaning players. Apart from a minor blip during the time top scorer O'Mara was banned, Brentford secured promotion back to the Third Division with two matches in the remaining season.

1.2.8. Relegation, consolidation and promotion (1972–1977)

Despite Brentford currently registering profits of around £20,000 in 1971, in contrast to a loss of $13,000 in 1967, the team's manager Fred Blunstone was again forced to manage on a very tight budget in the 72-73 campaign, Brentford's first season in the Third Division since 1965-66. After just five games Brentford were in a possesion in second place, however in the middle of September, 1972 the top scorer of the previous season John O'Mara was sold to another Third Division club Blackburn Rovers for a record-setting cost of PS50,000. Then, the captain who was influential and second-highest scorers Bobby Ross also departed. In lieu of investing money into players who could help in promotion The board decided to allow manager Blunstone to pay PS10,000 for the forward Stan Webb and £15,000 on the return of Roger Cross. Brentford was relegated to the middle of the table in December 1972, and later into the relegation zone by March 1973. The Bees were knocked out in the final date of their season, and Frank Blunstone resigned from the post of manager in July 1973.

Under the new direction of manager Mike Everitt and his successor John Docherty, Brentford lived in mid-table within the Fourth Division during the mid-1970s. The poor beginning to the 1976-77 season caused Docherty to step down and got replaced Bill Dodgin Jr. After an extended period of consolidation Dodgin's additions of Pat Kruse, Paul Shrubb, Barry Lloyd, Len Bond, Willie Graham, Barry Tucker and Doug Allder helped to strengthen a team that was led by the forwards Steve Phillips, Andrew McCulloch and Gordon Sweetzer. Although Sweetzer was sold to a buyer for £30,000 at the end of the 1977-78 season Brentford maintained their heads and relegated into the Third Division with a 4th-place finishing. Phillips scored 32 goals, making him the highest scoring player of the Football League and his total of 36 in the entire season was only three from the record set by Jack Holliday's club.

1.2.9. Stability (1978–1986)

Bill Dodgin Jr, Fred Callaghan and Frank McLintock all managed Brentford in the Third Division between 1978 and 1986, with three consecutive top-ten places from 1981 to 1983, under Callaghan representing the club's top placings. A number of notable players were part of Brentford throughout the time, including Bob Booker, Jim McNichol, Gary Roberts, Francis Joseph and captains Terry Hurlock and Chris Kamara however none of them would achieve the success they did. Brentford was able to reach its first competitive cup final during the 1984-85 season. It faced up against Wigan Athletic in the 1985 Football League Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. In the presence of a crowd of 34,932, Brentford lost 3-1, with Robbie Cooke scoring what proved to be the consolation goal.

1.3. 1986 to present

Brentford Football Club The Brentford Football Club English professional soccer club that is based within Brentford, Hounslow, London. The club was established in October 1889 as the local sportsmen's attempt to establish an ongoing football or rugby team in Hounslow. In in 1896 Brentford began to join in the London League, progressing to the Southern League in 1898 and joining into the Football League in 1920. Then, in 2021 the team was elevated to the Premier League.

The year 1986 saw the start of another chapter for Brentford. Brentford began its journey in the Third Division since 1978, however the appointment Steve Perryman as manager in 1987 gave the club a new energy and following his replacement Phil Holder, the club eventually returned to the second division in 1992, after an absence of 38 years. The club was relegated at the first attempt and, with the exception of an entire season in the fourth level (winning the championship twice), Brentford remained in the third division until 2014 following five unsuccessful playoff campaigns over the previous 19 years the club was transferred back to the second division. After two playoff seasons that failed over 6 Championship season, Brentford were promoted into the Premier League after victory in the 2021 Championship play-off Final.

1.3.1. Building a new spine (1986–1990)

The third season of his tenure being Brentford director in the years 1986 and 87 Frank McLintock had yet to compete for promotion to the Third Division, though he was slowly improving his team's league standings. Prior to the start of the season the Assistant director John Docherty moved to Millwall and McLintock was replaced by an ex-player from England player Steve Perryman. In the end, poor performances led to fans requesting McLintock's removal and he quit the club at the end of January 1987, when the board announced their decision not to renew his contract until the conclusion this season. Steve Perryman took over as manager of the players, and brought his assistant Phil Holder as his assistant. Perryman's Brentford did manage to reclaim an average finish in the table. Brentford tried to get into playoff positions in the 1987-88 season , and in 1988-89, a run in the final minutes nearly brought the club down to their final destination, but ultimately they failed to make it. The season that followed was notable because of the Bees winning their way to the sixth round in the FA Cup (which ended after an 4-0 loss against Liverpool in the final at Anfield) and also to finals for the Football League Trophy.

After a disappointing 1989-90, Perryman resigned on the end of the season in 1990-91 due to disagreements with the chairman of the club. Although he did not make a mark at Griffin Park, his signings of goalkeeper Graham Benstead, midfielders Keith Jones, Simon Ratcliffe and forwards Dean Holdsworth and Gary Blissett along with the homegrown defensive trio comprising Keith Millen, Terry Evans and Jamie Bates, would stand Brentford in good stead for the coming years.

1.3.2. Rise to the second-tier (1990–1993)

Phil Holder stepped up from assistant manager to become the Brentford position just 10 days prior to the start of 1990/91's season. In his first season, he led his Bees to the finals of the region in the Football League Trophy and into the 1991 Third Division playoffs, with the season ending in an insignificant 3-2 aggregate loss to eventually elevated club Tranmere Rovers. It was the beginning of a string of unsuccessful playoff seasons for the club, and the idea of a season-ending playoffs being proposed at the Football League by then-Brentford chairman Martin Lange in the 1980s.

1991-92 was the most successful season in the club's history the most successful season for Brentford ever since it's glorious age with Harry Curtis in the 1930s. 11 wins in the first 16 matches saw the Bees at the top in the Third Division and the club held one or the other highest two spots until it fell back to fourth place after four consecutive losses in the month of March. Six wins from six final games were enough to see Brentford rebound to take the Third Division championship on the final day , and secure Second-tier status for the very first time in its history since the 1953-1954 season. A large part of the victory was due to striker Dean Holdsworth, joint-top scorer in the Third Division, with Gary Blissett as well, scoring 18 goals.

The preparations of Phil Holder for his 1992-93 season of the new name of First Division couldn't have been hit harder in the event that Dean Holdsworth joined Wimbledon for the sum of $720,000 in July 1992. Then captain Terry Evans suffered a long-term knee injury on the first game of the year that required surgery. The season began poorly, and the club lost two of their first 12 games. But the players of the club improved and only two losses in 11 games brought the Bees in the top 10 at the close of 1992. However, everything fell apart in the New Year and they were relegated to the third division following the final day's defeat of 4-1 at Bristol City. The new chairman Martin Lange terminated the contracts of Holder and assistant manager Wilf Rostron at the end of the season.

1.3.3. Rebuilding and playoff failures (1993–1997)

The 1993-94 season proved to be one of rebuilding for Brentford, back in the third-tier under new manager David Webb. Gillingham's Nicky Forster was added to the strikeforce in June 1994 and together with strike partner Robert Taylor, the goals of the 'FT Index' fired Brentford to the top of the Second Division midway through the 1994-95 season. Through till late April 1995, Brentford vied with Birmingham City for one promotion spot and a 2-0 loss in the final game on the pitch at St Andrew's ended the Bees promotion attempt automatically. Brentford lost on penalties to the eventual promoted club Huddersfield Town at the time of the league's 1995 Football League playoffs.

The hangover was a constant throughout the 1995-96 season before things got back to normal in 1996-97. Carl Asaba, previously a reserve team player bought from Dulwich Hamlet in August 1994, established himself as one of the top strikers in the Second Division, scoring 24 goals during the season. Brentford occupied top spot for much of the campaign until mid-March 1997, when three consecutive defeats put the Bees back into the second automatic promotion place. The strikeforce had been weakened by the £700,000 sale of Forster in January 1997 and four defeats in the final four games dropped Brentford back to 4th position and into the playoffs. In-form Bristol City were beaten over two legs in the semi-finals, before the season ended when the Bees were "exposed and outclassed" by Crewe Alexandra during The 1997 Second Division playoff Final at Wembley Stadium.

1.3.4. Financial crisis, takeover and recovery (1997–2002)

Steve Coppell The team managed Brentford to the The 2002 second Division playoff Final .
A little less than a week prior to the start of the 1997-98 season the group headed by coach David Webb bought a majority of the club's shares, which led to Webb then leaving his position as manager to take on the post as the chief of staff. All of the club's transfer activities were carried out within 9 days from the start of the season. The cheap replacements for the star players of the previous season were to not be up to par. Webb's new replacement Eddie May was fired in the beginning of November. Micky Adams took over manager of the club that was about to drop into the zone of relegation. Despite a numerous new signings and a massive clean-out in the second part of the season Adams did not fare as well as his predecessor. Brentford were dropped into third division. Third Division on the final day of the season.

In June 1998, former Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades assumed ownership of Brentford and made wholesale changes throughout the club, installing himself as chairman-manager, supported by a three-man coaching team. Excellent home form, big-money signings and a 16-match unbeaten run to close out the season saw the Bees win the 1998-99 Third Division championship on the final day, after beating Cambridge United 1-0 in a "winner takes all" match at the Abbey Stadium. The 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons proved to be forgettable back in the Second Division, with a need to balance the books leading to a number of player sales and things came to a head when Noades resigned as manager after an FA Cup first round defeat toKingstonian on 20 November 2000. Brentford reached the 2001 Football League Trophy Final under Ray Lewington, but were defeated 2-1 by Port Vale FC at Port Vale at the Millennium Stadium.

Steve Coppell was appointed manager in May 2001 and the team raced out of the blocks, establishing itself as promotion contenders after reaching the top of the Second Division in October 2001. Circumstances transpired that to secure automatic promotion, Brentford needed to beat second-place title="Reading F.C. ">Reading at Griffin Park on the final day, with the Royals needing only a draw. The Bees took the lead through Martin Rowlands, but were pegged back by Jamie Cureton and forced to settle for a place in the 2002 Second Division playoffs. Huddersfield Town were dispatched in the semi-finals, but a resolute Stoke City's defence proved difficult to overcome in the final, and the Potters winning 2-0.

1.3.5. The Great Escape and the "two-bob" team (2002–2006)

In less than a month of that 2002 Second Division playoff Final defeat, Steve Coppell quit as Brentford manager. In the aftermath of the ITV Digital collapse, the financial constraints imposed upon the team by Noades made Coppell's replacement Wally Downes with an inexperienced team and administration that was barely prevented during August 2002. After a promising start the 2002-03 season descended into mediocre mid-table performance and at the end of march 2003 Noades was dismissed from the organization and handed over control to the fans who 'trust' Bees United. The team's poor performance continued in 2003-04 and a string of seven losses in nine games led to Downes being dismissed on March 4, 2004. The former Barnet Manager Martin Allen took over and immediately made a difference eventually achieving "The The Great Escape" from the relegation zone in the final day of the season.

After assembling an "two Bob" (i.e. "low cost") team that included free transfers, journeymen young players and loanees Manager Martin Allen produced two roller of a season in the recently named League One. The 2004/05 season saw Brentford played Premier League club Southampton to a replay of Southampton's FA Cup fifth round and got in to the League One playoffs, but they were defeated by Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-finals. 2005-06 saw another trip to the FA Cup fifth round, with Premier League strugglers Sunderland being beat by Sheffield Wednesday at Griffin Park by two DJ Campbell goals in the fourth round but the subsequent sale for PS500,000 for Campbell for Birmingham City robbed the team of the dynamism they had in front.

However, too many draws later in the season saw the club to a third place finish and a game against Swansea City in the 2006 League One playoffs, which led to another loss in the semi-finals. The aftermath of the loss to the playoffs was similar to the one of the previous four years when the manager was fired because of financial issues and important players being sold despite changes in the backroom in January 2006, which saw Bees United (helped by loans and donations as well as supporter Matthew Benham) buy former chairman Ron Noades' majority shareholding. Bees United's purchase of the shares also ensured the long-term viability that of Griffin Park, which had appeared to be in danger just five years prior.

1.3.6. Relegation and return to League One (2006–2009)

Leroy Rosenior was named as Brentford manager in June 2006 . Despite an unbeaten seven-match start to the season 2006-07 The rot began to set in and Rosenior was dismissed and replaced by youth coach Scott Fitzgerald in November 2006. Fitzgerald was even worse off and quit the club following the relegation of Brentford was confirmed on the 9th April of 2007. The head of the youth team Barry Quin took caretaker charge for the rest of the season. The season ended in a last-place place finish on the table in League One, the first time that the Bees had ended a season in the lower than the lowest division of the Football League. Despite their relegation however, the club's financial situation were improved following Matthew Benham paid nearly PS3 million to settle some of the club's debts in the month of January 2007.

The former England footballer Terry Butcher was installed as manager on April 24, 2007 and was appointed manager of the first team operations two weeks after. While he was flirting with League Two playoffs early in the 2007-08 season, the team's poor performances, which indicated losing the league to non-league football caused Butcher to be dismissed with mutual consent on December 7, 2007. Manager assistant Andy Scott took over and improved the team's performance, however hope of a last-minute push to make it into the playoffs was shattered after a string of 10 defeats over the last 15 games. Scott helped improve the team during the 2008-09 season, and by the end of December 2008, Brentford were well established as they were promoted automatically to the spots. The Bees won their place in the League Two title after victory in the penultimate game of the season against Darlington.

1.3.7. Consolidation in League One and promotion to the Championship (2009–2014)

Prior to the start the 2009/10 League One season, it was announced that supporters Matthew Benham had reached an agreement with the trust of supporters Bees United, whereby he would make significant investments of capital over the course of five years. Brentford started and finished the 2009-10 season strongly and finished 9th. 2010-11 became memorable for Brentford's cup exploits, going on a run to the fourth round of the League Cup (beating Premier League Everton on penalties along the way) and reaching the 2011 Football League Trophy Final, which was lost 1-0 to Carlisle United. In March of 2011, Benham agreed to invest PS1m annually into the club, for a at least three years. Uwe Rosler was appointed as Brentford manager in June of 2011 and Mark Warburton, previously first coach of the team, taking over the post of sporting director as part of a restructuring within the club. The 2011-12 season was an unsettling season and, in June 2012 Benham became the largest shareowner of the club purchasing 96 percent from the share capital.

Brentford came within a penalty kick of automatic promotion to the Championship on the final day of the 2012-13 season, losing 1-0 to promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers at Griffin Park, who only needed a draw to secure automatic promotion, a scenario which mirrored that of the final-day match versus Reading 11 years previously. The Bees recovered to beat Swindon Town on penalties in the 2013 playoff semi-finals after drawing 4-4 on aggregate, but the season came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to Yeovil Town in the final. A hangover ensued early in the 2013-14 season, but after a heated discussion between management and players after a defeat to Stevenage in the middle of October 2013, Brentford set a club record 19-match unbeaten streak during League One, even weathering the storm that was caused due to the demise of Rosler in the early months of December 2013. Mark Warburton carried on Rosler's work and helped lead Brentford to a runners-up finish and automatic advancement towards the Championship. Prior to the start of the year, Benham has acquired 100 percent control of the club - his contribution to the club's finances was vital to the club's rise in the league from League Two in 2007 to the Championship in 2014.

1.3.8. The Championship and promotion to the Premier League (2014–2021)

The club retreated from Griffin Park and on to the Brentford Community Stadium in August in 2020. Brentford unexpectedly placed 5th in their the first season In the second-tier of the league since 1992-93, they were in the second-tier since 1992-93, but were easily Middlesbrough in the 2015 playoff semi-finals . A change in the organization's management and the structure for recruiting the club at the close of the season resulted in the resignation of Warburton, who was later replaced by Marinus Dijkhuizen . Dijkhuizen played just nine matches before being substituted by interim manager Lee Carsley The team was in good form prior to the selection of Dean Smith in November of 2015. Smith confirmed Brentford's Championship status by posting consecutive top-10 finishes over the next three seasons.

Then, at the end of the 2015-16 season, the realization that Brentford "can't be successful by spending more than the competition, therefore we must out-think them" was the reason for the demise of Brentford's academy and Development Squad and the acceptance of and the adoption of B team as a way to build its players. Following an season of the consolidation of consolidation, of consolidation, Smith's replacement Thomas Frank They took Brentford to the 2020 Championship play-off Finale for Play-off , that was beaten 2-1 by West London rivals Fulham . In the year 2000, nine of nine playoff games that failed was a national record. In the off-season in 2020 The club relocated away from Griffin Park (its home ground for the past 116 years) and moved into the Brentford Community Stadium A capacity of 17,250. stadium with all seats constructed on land that is a triangle 0.6 miles east. Brentford returned to third place in the 2020-21 regular season, and was one better in the playoffs. Playoffs and securing advancement to Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Swansea City in the 2021 Finale of the Championship play-off .

2. Current and past grounds

  • Clifden Road (1889–1891)
  • Benn's Field (1891–1895)
  • Shotter's Field (1895–1898)
  • Cross Roads (1898–1900)
  • York Road (1900–1904)
  • Griffin Park (1904–2020)
  • Brentford Community Stadium (2020–present)
  • Brentford Community Stadium is a stadium located in Brentford, West London, which is home to Brentford Community Stadium, which is home to both Premier League club Brentford and Premiership Rugby club London Irish. The stadium is capable of 17,250 and is suited to host both rugby and association football union matches. It is center of plans to redevelop the surrounding area, which includes new homes as well as commercial opportunities. The stadium will be used for the UEFA Women's European Football Championships 2022 (Euros) which will be played in England.

3. Team colours and badge

Brentford's primary home colours include a red and white stripes shirt as well as black shorts with black or red socks. The club has been wearing these colours as its primary home colours since the season of 1925-26 with the exception of one season, 1960-61 - where the colours of yellow (gold) and blue employed, but with no success. The colors when they joined in the Football League, in 1920-21 included white uniforms, navy shorts as well as navy socks. Away kits have changed through time and the current colors consisting of a yellow shirts with yellow shorts, both sporting black detailing, and yellow socks.

Brentford have worn a variety of emblems and badges on their jerseys since the club was established in 1889. The first badge, first worn in 1893 the shield was white with the words "BFC" in blue and a wavy lines in blue. This is believed to represent the river and the rowing club that was the club's founding member. The next badge known to us is known as the Middlesex County Arms, was worn on shirts donated by a fan in 1909. It was the Brentford as well as the Chiswick arms, which were badges, were used only for only one season, 1938-39. The next badge came in 1971-72 when the shield divided into quadrants, featured a hive with bees and a hive in one, three seaxes in the other and the two other ones with white and red stripes.

The club in 1972 organized an event to create a brand new logo, which was the winner of Mr B.G. Spencer's design. It was a circle with stripes and a bee and the date of its founding 1888. It was first adopted in 1973 and continued to be used until the end of May 1975 when it was brought into the attention of the club by Graham Haynes, that the club was founded in 1889, and not 1888. Thus, a new badge believed to have been created in the hands of Dan Tana - the club's chairman at the time, was introduced in the 1975-76 season, and continued until 1994, when the badge that was in use today was introduced.

In 2011, Russell Grant claimed to have created the badge in an interview with BBC interview, however , it was actually created in 1993 for tickets to two seasons by a supporter Andrew Henning, following a request made by Keith Loring the then chief executive. In 2017, the club updated its logo to be present a modern, clean and streamlined design that was able to use a two-tone color print. The design features a double-roundel with the club's name and year of its founding in white, set against an red background with an enormous central bee.

3.1. Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit supplier Shirt sponsor
1975–1976 Umbro None
1977–1980 Bukta
1980–1981 Adidas
1981–1984 Osca DHL
1984–1986 KLM
1986–1988 Spall
1988–1990 Hobott
1990–1992 Chad
1992–1995 Hummel
1995–1996 Core Ericsson
1996–1998 Cobra
1998–2000 Super League GMB
2000–2002 Patrick
2002–2003 TFG
2003–2005 St. George
2005–2006 Lonsdale
2006–2007 Samvo Group
2007–2008 Puma
2008–2012 Hertings
2012–2013 SkyEx
2013–2015 Adidas
2015–2016 Matchbook
2016–2017 888sport
2017–2019 LeoVegas
2019–2020 Umbro EcoWorld London
2020–2021 Utilita
2021– Hollywoodbets

4. Honours and best performances

Brentford Honours and best performances

4.1. League

  • Second Division / First Division / Championship (Tier 2)
    • Champions (1): 1934–35
    • Play-off winners (1): 2020–21
  • Third Division / Second Division / League One (Tier 3)
    • Champions (2): 1932–33 (South), 1991–92
    • Promoted (1): 2013–14
  • Fourth Division / Third Division / League Two (Tier 4)
    • Champions (3): 1962–63, 1998–99, 2008–09
  • Southern League Second Division
    • Champions (1): 1900–01
  • London League First Division: 1
    • Promoted (1): 1897–98
  • London League Second Division: 1
    • Promoted (1): 1896–97
  • West London Alliance: 1
    • Champions (1): 1892–93

4.2. Cups

  • Middlesex Junior Cup: 1
    • 1893–94
  • West Middlesex Cup: 1
    • 1894–95
  • London Senior Cup: 1
    • 1897–98
  • Middlesex Senior Cup: 1
    • 1897–98
  • Southern Professional Charity Cup: 1
    • 1908–09
  • Ealing Hospital Cup: 1
    • 1910–11
  • London Challenge Cup: 3
    • 1934–35, 1964–65, 1966–67
  • London Charity Fund: 1
    • 1928

4.3. Wartime honours

  • London Combination: 1
    • 1918–19
  • London War Cup: 1
    • 1941–42

4.4. Best performances

Best performances Brentford 

4.4.1. League

  • First Division / Premier League (Tier 1)
    • 5th: 1935–36
  • Western League
    • 2nd: 1904–05
  • Southern League First Division
    • 9th: 1905–06

4.4.2. Cups

  • FA Cup[16]
    • Sixth round/Quarter-finals: 1937–38, 1945–46, 1948–49, 1988–89
  • Football League Cup
    • Semi-finals: 2020–21
  • Football League Trophy
    • Runners-up: 1984–85, 2000–01, 2010–11
  • Empire Exhibition Trophy
    • First round: 1938
  • Southern Professional Floodlit Cup
    • Semi-finals: 1955–56, 1956–57
  • First Alliance Cup
    • First round: 1988

5. Awards

  • Football League Awards
    • Community Club of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2013–14
    • League Two Community Club of the Year (1): 2008–09
    • Best Club Sponsorship (1): 2006–07
    • Family Excellence Award (8): 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Stadium Business Awards
    • Sponsorship, Sales and Marketing (1): 2013
  • Littlewoods Giant Killers Award
    • 2–1 vs Norwich City, FA Cup third round, 6 January 1996

6. Rivalry

The main rivals for Brentford include Fulham as well as Queens Park Rangers. The club has an ongoing rivalry with Fulham. The fixture has in the past was marred by fan violence. The rivalry between Brentford and Queens Park Rangers intensified in 1967, after Rangers did not succeed in their taking over the Bees the Bees, a move that was if it had succeeded could have resulted in Rangers relocate to Griffin Park and Brentford quit the Football League. Like it being the Fulham competition, the game is a battle of passions for both groups of fans and local pride is at stake.