1917–18 Brentford F.C. season explained

Club:Brentford
Season:1917–18
Manager:Fred Halliday
Chairman:H. Jason-Saunders
Stadium:Griffin Park
League:London Combination
League Result:6th
League Topscorer:Cock (27)
Mgrtitle:Secretary-Manager
Season Topscorer:Cock (27)
Highest Attendance:6,000
Lowest Attendance:1,500
Prevseason:1916–17
Nextseason:1918–19

During the 1917–18 English football season, Brentford competed in the London Combination, due to the cessation of competitive football for the duration of the First World War. In a patchy season, the Bees finished in mid-table.

Season summary

The wartime London Combination was streamlined for the 1917–18 season, with the clubs voting to expel Portsmouth, Watford, Southampton and Luton Town, which would reduce travelling expenses on Britain's congested railways. Despite the entry of the United States into the First World War in April 1917, Britain was still mired in war and manager Fred Halliday again had trouble securing players to play. Of Brentford's squad, goalkeeper Ted Price, defenders Jack Peart, Dusty Rhodes and forwards Albert Chester, Patsy Hendren and Henry White would appear in the majority of the matches during the season. Half back Bill Stanton, previously with Watford, was a rare wartime signing and he too would be regularly available.

Manager Fred Halliday struggled to field a settled side during the opening months of the season and Brentford suffered six defeats in eight matches between mid-September and mid-November 1917. In late November, Halliday pulled off a transfer coup, re-signing former Brentford forward Jack Cock as a guest from Huddersfield Town, to whom he had transferred in April 1914. Cock went on to score 27 goals in 23 appearances, which included two hattricks and a five-goal haul versus rivals Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season. Henry White, frequently Brentford's top scorer during the First World War, supported ably with 17 goals. The season was notable for some high scoring wins (4–0, 6–2, 6–1 versus Queens Park Rangers; 5–0 versus Clapton Orient and 5–2 versus Tottenham Hotspur) and crushing defeats (7–1 versus Millwall, 6–1 versus Tottenham Hotspur; 8–3, 7–3, 7–2 versus West Ham United and 4–0 on two occasions).

A number of former Brentford players were killed during the season:[1]

League table

See main article: article and London Combination.

London Combination

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

WinDrawLoss

London Combination

No.DateOpponentVenueResultScorer(s)
11 September 1917Clapton OrientH1–0Keenor
28 September 1917MillwallA3–1Hendren, Gregson (2)
315 September 1917Tottenham HotspurH5–2Hendren (2), White (3)
422 September 1917ChelseaA1–3Hendren
529 September 1917Crystal PalaceA0–4
66 October 1917ArsenalH2–2Gregson, Sloley
713 October 1917West Ham UnitedA3–8Heydenrick, Green, Stanton
820 October 1917FulhamH1–3Chester
927 October 1917Clapton OrientA3–1White (2), Stanton
103 November 1917MillwallH0–4
1110 November 1917Tottenham HotspurA1–6Chester
1217 November 1917ChelseaH1–0Hooper
1324 November 1917Crystal PalaceH3–0Cock (3)
141 December 1917ArsenalA1–4Cock
158 December 1917West Ham UnitedH3–2Cock, Denyer, White
1615 December 1917FulhamH0–2
1722 December 1917Clapton OrientH5–0Edwards, White, Cock (2), Hendren
1825 December 1917Queens Park RangersH1–1Cock
1926 December 1917Queens Park RangersA4–0Hendren, Hanney, Stanton, White
2029 December 1917MillwallA1–7Cock
215 January 1918Tottenham HotspurH2–3White, Cock
2212 January 1918ChelseaA1–4Cock
2319 January 1918Crystal PalaceA4–3Chester, E. Rhodes (3)
2426 January 1918ArsenalH3–2Cock (2), White
252 February 1918West Ham UnitedA2–7Corless, Chester
269 February 1918Queens Park RangersH6–1White (2), Cock (3), Hooper (pen)
2716 February 1918Clapton OrientA1–1Cock
2823 February 1918MillwallH3–1Cock (2), Sloley
292 March 1918Tottenham HotspurA0–3
309 March 1918ChelseaH0–1
3116 March 1918Crystal PalaceH0–2
3223 March 1918ArsenalA3–1Cock, Chalmers, Cockerill (og)
3329 March 1918FulhamH2–3Chester, Hooper
3430 March 1918West Ham UnitedH3–7White (2, 1 pen), Chester
351 April 1918FulhamA6–4Cock (2), Allwright, White (2), Chester
366 April 1918Queens Park RangersA6–2Cock (5), White

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1917–18 season.

Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotes
Goalkeepers
GKTed PriceSeptember 1, 1917Croydon Common1912
Defenders
DFAlf AmosSeptember 1, 1917Old Kingstonians1913
DFJack PeartSeptember 1, 1917Croydon Common1916
DFFrank PriceSeptember 1, 1917Shepherds Bush1914
DFDusty Rhodes (c)September 1, 1917Sunderland1908Trainer
Midfielders
HBCharles AllwrightSeptember 1, 1917Kingston upon Thames1914
HBGeorge CurtisSeptember 1, 1917Kingston upon Thames1914
HBMick O'BrienSeptember 1, 1917Celtic1915
HBBill StantonSeptember 1, 1917Watford1917
Forwards
FWAlbert ChesterSeptember 1, 1917Millwall1916
FWPatsy HendrenSeptember 1, 1917Queens Park Rangers1911Played when his cricket commitments allowed
FWRichard SloleySeptember 1, 1917Cambridge University1914Amateur
FWHenry WhiteSeptember 1, 1917Whamcliffe Athletic1913Amateur
Guest players
GKFred CraigSeptember 1, 1917Plymouth Argyle1917Guest from Plymouth Argyle
GKW. Griffithsn/an/aWest Ham United1917Guest from West Ham United
GKJimmy Morrisn/aClapton Orient1917Guest from Clapton Orient
GKWalter ScottSeptember 1, 1917Worksop Town1917Guest from Worksop Town
DFFred BullockSeptember 1, 1917Huddersfield Town1917Guest from Huddersfield Town
HBSam BlottSeptember 1, 1917Plymouth Argyle1917Guest from Plymouth Argyle
HBJimmy BrandhamSeptember 1, 1917Fulham1918Guest from Fulham
HBWalter FrisbySeptember 1, 1917Southampton1917Guest from Southampton
HBTed HanneySeptember 1, 1917Manchester City1917Guest from Manchester City
HBE. Heydenrickn/aUnattached1917Guest
HBBill HooperSeptember 1, 1917Southport Central1917Guest from Southport Central
HBGeorge HunterSeptember 1, 1917Manchester United1917Guest from Manchester United
HBJames LockwoodSeptember 1, 1917Queens Park Rangers1918Guest from Queens Park Rangers
HBManselln/aThe Wednesday1917Guest from The Wednesday
HBJ. Meen/an/an/a1917Guest
HBSam MorrisSeptember 1, 1917Bristol Rovers1917Guest from Bristol Rovers
HBRobert Nashn/aUnattached1917Guest
HBCecil RhodesSeptember 1, 1917Stockton1918Guest
HBT. Robertsn/an/aLuton Town1917Guest from Luton Town
HBT. Smithn/an/an/a1917Guest
HBTalbotn/an/an/a1918Guest
HBMaurice WoodwardSeptember 1, 1917Southend United1917Guest from Southend United
HBBilly Yenson1880 (aged 36–37)Croydon Common1917Guest from Croydon Common
FWBilly BrawnSeptember 1, 1917Unattached1917Guest
FWDavid ChalmersSeptember 1, 1917Grimsby Town1918Guest from Grimsby Town
FWJack CockSeptember 1, 1917Huddersfield Town1917Guest from Huddersfield Town
FWAlbert CorlessSeptember 1, 1917West Ham United1918Guest from West Ham United
FWJack CurtisSeptember 1, 1917Stockport County1917Guest from Stockport County
FWA. Davisn/an/an/a1917Guest
FWBertie DenyerSeptember 1, 1917Swindon Town1917Guest from Swindon Town
FWJames DillimoreSeptember 1, 1917n/a1917Guest
FWBilly EdwardsSeptember 1, 1917n/a1917Guest
FWW. Elliottn/an/an/a1918Guest
FWThomas GrahamSeptember 1, 1917Castleford Town1917Guest from Castleford Town
FWJohn GreenSeptember 1, 1917Wolverhampton Wanderers1917Guest from Wolverhampton Wanderers
FWAlf GregsonSeptember 1, 1917Grimsby Town1917Guest from Grimsby Town
FWW. Harrisonn/an/an/a1917Guest
FWH. Jamesn/an/an/a1918Guest
FWA. Jonesn/an/aUnattached1917Guest
FWFred KeenorSeptember 1, 1917Cardiff City1917Guest from Cardiff City
FWW. Ramsayn/an/an/a1917Guest
FWB. N. Sidneyn/an/an/a1917Guest

Coaching staff

NameRole
Fred HallidaySecretary-Manager
Dusty RhodesTrainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals

PosNatNameTotal
AppsGoals
GKTed Price200
DFAlf Amos80
DFJack Peart260
DFFrank Price10
DFDusty Rhodes233
HBCharles Allwright31
HBGeorge Curtis10
HBMick O'Brien20
HBBill Stanton253
FWAlbert Chester307
FWPatsy Hendren346
FWRichard Sloley10
FWHenry White2417
Players guested during the season
GKFred Craig10
GKn/aW. Griffiths10
GKJimmy Morris110
GKWalter Scott30
DFFred Bullock60
HBSam Blott10
HBJimmy Brandham90
HBWalter Frisby20
HBTed Hanney101
HBE. Heydenrick11
HBBill Hooper223
HBGeorge Hunter170
HBJames Lockwood10
HBMansell10
HBn/aJ. Mee10
HBSam Morris50
HBRobert Nash10
HBCecil Rhodes10
HBn/aT. Roberts10
HBn/aT. Smith10
HBn/aTalbot10
HBMaurice Woodward70
HBBilly Yenson150
FWBilly Brawn10
FWDavid Chalmers11
FWJack Cock2327
FWAlbert Corless21
FWJack Curtis30
FWn/aA. Davis10
FWBertie Denyer21
FWJames Dillimore10
FWBilly Edwards101
FWn/aW. Elliott10
FWThomas Graham10
FWJohn Green91
FWAlf Gregson53
FWn/aW. Harrison10
FWn/aH. James20
FWn/aA. Jones10
FWFred Keenor91
FWn/aW. Ramsay10
FWn/aB. N. Sidney10

Goalscorers

Pos.NatPlayerTotal
FWJack Cock27
FWHenry White17
FWAlbert Chester7
FWPatsy Hendren6
FWAlf Gregson3
HBBill Hooper3
DFDusty Rhodes3
HBBill Stanton3
HBCharles Allwright1
FWDavid Chalmers1
FWAlbert Corless1
FWBertie Denyer1
FWBilly Edwards1
FWJohn Green1
HBTed Hanney1
HBE. Heydenrick1
FWFred Keenor1
Opponents1
Total81

Summary

Games played 36
Games won 16
Games drawn 3
Games lost 17
Goals scored 81
Goals conceded 94
Clean sheets 5
Biggest win 5–0 versus Clapton Orient, 22 December 1917
Worst defeat 7–1 versus Millwall, 29 December 1917
Most appearances 39, Patsy Hendren
Top scorer 27, Jack Cock

Transfers & loans

Guest players' arrival and departure dates correspond to their first and last appearances of the season.

Players transferred in
DatePos.NamePrevious ClubFeeRef.
1 September 1917HB Bill Stanton WatfordFree
Guest players in
Date fromPos.NamePrevious ClubDate toRef.
1 September 1917DF Fred Bullock Huddersfield Town6 October 1917
1 September 1917FW Jack Curtis Stockport County24 November 1917
1 September 1917FW Alf Gregson Grimsby Town6 October 1917
1 September 1917DF Ted Hanney Manchester CityEnd of season
1 September 1917HB George Hunter Manchester United19 January 1918
1 September 1917FW Fred Keenor Cardiff City23 March 1918
1 September 1917GK Jimmy Morris Clapton Orient1 April 1918
22 September 1917FW John Green Wolverhampton Wanderers5 January 1918
22 September 1917FWA. JonesUnattached22 September 1917
22 September 1917HBT. Roberts Luton Town22 September 1917
22 September 1917GK Walter Scott Worksop Town6 October 1917
13 October 1917GKW. Griffiths West Ham United13 October 1917
13 October 1917HB E. HeydenrickUnattached13 October 1917
13 October 1917HBJ. Meen/a13 October 1917
13 October 1917FWB. N. Sidneyn/a13 October 1917
13 October 1917HBT. Smithn/a13 October 1917
20 October 1917HB Sam Morris Bristol Rovers26 December 1917
20 October 1917HB Maurice Woodward Southend UnitedEnd of season
3 November 1917FW Billy BrawnUnattached3 November 1917
3 November 1917FWW. Harrisonn/a3 November 1917
3 November 1917HB Mansell The Wednesday3 November 1917
3 November 1917HB Robert NashUnattached3 November 1917[8]
10 November 1917HB Sam Blott Plymouth Argyle10 November 1917
10 November 1917GK Fred Craig Plymouth Argyle10 November 1917[9]
10 November 1917FW James Dillimoren/a10 November 1917
10 November 1917FWW. Ramsayn/a10 November 1917
17 November 1917FW Bertie Denyer Swindon Town8 December 1917
17 November 1917FW Thomas Graham Castleford Town17 November 1917
17 November 1917FW Bill Hooper Southport CentralEnd of season
24 November 1917FW Jack Cock Huddersfield TownEnd of season
24 November 1917HB Billy Yenson Croydon Common30 March 1918[10]
1 December 1917FWA. Davisn/a1 December 1917
8 December 1917HB Walter Frisby Southampton15 December 1917
15 December 1917FW Billy Edwardsn/a23 March 1918
5 January 1918FWH. Jamesn/aEnd of season
12 January 1918HB Cecil Rhodes Stockton12 January 1918
19 January 1918HBTalbotn/a19 January 1918
2 February 1918FW Albert Corless West Ham United16 February 1918
2 February 1918FWW. Elliottn/a2 February 1918
16 February 1918HB Jimmy Brandham Fulham1 April 1918
23 February 1918HB James Lockwood Queens Park Rangers23 February 1918
23 March 1918FW David Chalmers Grimsby Town23 March 1918
Guest players out
Date fromPos.NameToDate toRef.
1917HB Jimmy Kennedy Airdrieonians1918[11]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bees Review: Brentford Official Matchday Programme vs Hull City . 3 November 2015 . Regal Sports Press . Milton Keynes . 61–67.
  2. Web site: James Greechan Service Record . 15 February 2019 . Football and the First World War . en.
  3. Web site: The Magazine of Highams Park Baptist Church – October/November 2017 . 15 February 2019 . 21.
  4. Web site: William Kirby . 8 May 2018 . Croydon Common Football Club.
  5. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 364.
  6. Book: Haynes, Graham . Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 . Coumbe . Frank . Yore Publications . 2006 . 978-0955294914.
  7. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . Tony Brown . 2012 . 190589161X . Nottingham.
  8. Web site: Robert Nash . 8 May 2018 . Croydon Common Football Club.
  9. Web site: Scallan . Trevor . Fred Craig . 18 November 2016 . www.greensonscreen.co.uk.
  10. Web site: William Yenson . 8 May 2018 . Croydon Common Football Club.
  11. Book: Litster, John . Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players . PM Publications . Norwich.

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