1924–25 Brentford F.C. season explained

Club:Brentford
Season:1924–25
Manager:
(until 2 December 1924)
Fred Halliday
(from 3 December 1924)
Chairman:H. Jason-Saunders
Stadium:Griffin Park
League:Third Division South
League Result:21st
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Fifth qualifying round
League Topscorer:Allen (14)
Season Topscorer:Allen (14)
Average Attendance:7,010
Pattern B1:_collar
Pattern So1:_2 white stripes
Shorts1:000066
Socks1:000066
Prevseason:1923–24
Nextseason:1925–26
Highest Attendance:11,000
Lowest Attendance:3,000

During the 1924–25 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. After finishing in 21st place, the club successfully applied for re-election. The 41 goals scored during the season is the fewest in club history.

Season summary

Brentford manager Archie Mitchell conducted an overhaul of his half back and forward lines during the 1924 off-season, releasing James Kerr, Freddy Capper, Bobby Hughes, Sidney Mulford and Henry Parkinson and signing 12 new players,[1] which included new forward Jack Allen to partner Reginald Parker in attack. Aside from a three-match winning streak in September, which lifted the club as high as 9th,[2] 10 defeats in the following 12 games saw Mitchell step down as manager after a 5–3 defeat to Isthmian League club St Albans City in the FA Cup fifth qualifying round on 29 November 1924. He was replaced by Fred Halliday, who stepped up from an administrative role to take over as Brentford manager for the third time.

At the time of Halliday's first match in charge, Brentford had been rooted to the bottom of the Third Division South for nearly a month. Halliday fared little better than his predecessor, despite a 10-match spell from mid-December to early February which saw the Bees lose just three times. Mid-season signings Jimmy McCree, Bert Young and new captain Alex Graham failed to strengthen the team, though four goals in 9 late-season appearances from new acquisition Jack Lane at least inspired the team to score 12 goals in the matches in which he played.

Brentford finished the 1924–25 season in 21st place and successfully applied for re-election to the Football League.[3] Though statistically it was not Brentford's worst season, many Football League club records were set or equalled during the campaign, including fewest away victories (1), fewest victories (9), fewest draws (0), consecutive home draws (4), most away defeats (20), most defeats (26), fewest away goals scored (10), fewest goals scored (38) and most away goals conceded (65).[4] A 7–0 defeat to Swansea Town on 8 November 1924 is Brentford's joint-worst league defeat and together with a 7–1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle on 6 September 1924, is a joint-club record for most goals conceded in an away league loss.

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

WinDrawLoss

Football League Third Division South

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
130 August 1924Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–48,500Garnish, Parker
23 September 1924GillinghamA0–15,000
36 September 1924Plymouth ArgyleA1–79,000Parker
48 September 1924GillinghamH2–16,000Parker, Allen
513 September 1924Bristol CityH1–09,000Allen
615 September 1924Newport CountyH2–07,000Parker (2)
720 September 1924Swindon TownA0–24,000
827 September 1924Aberdare AthleticH2–29,000Parker, H. Williams
94 October 1924Norwich CityA0–36,000
1011 October 1924Queens Park RangersH0–18,000
1118 October 1924MillwallH1–011,000R. Williams
1222 October 1924Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–26,000
1325 October 1924Merthyr TownA0–45,000
141 November 1924ReadingH0–12,500
158 November 1924Swansea TownA0–75,000
1615 November 1924Exeter CityH2–52,500Garnish, Parker
1722 November 1924Bristol RoversA0–25,000
186 December 1924Southend UnitedA1–64,000Relph
1913 December 1924WatfordH0–04,000
2020 December 1924Northampton TownA2–06,000Allen (2)
2125 December 1924Charlton AthleticA0–37,000
2226 December 1924Charlton AthleticH1–010,000Allen
2327 December 1924Brighton & Hove AlbionA1–42,500Parker
243 January 1925Plymouth ArgyleH1–08,000Graham (pen)
2510 January 1925Southend UnitedH2–27,000Garnish, V. Rowe
2617 January 1925Bristol CityA0–38,500
2724 January 1925Swindon TownH0–07,000
287 February 1925Norwich CityH1–17,000Allen
2914 February 1925Queens Park RangersA0–110,000
3016 February 1925Aberdare AthleticA1–23,000Hughes
3121 February 1925MillwallA0–314,000
3228 February 1925Merthyr TownH2–27,000Isaac, H. Williams
337 March 1925ReadingA1–36,312Allen
3414 March 1925Swansea TownH3–19,000Allen (2), Lane
3521 March 1925Exeter CityA1–53,000Lane
3628 March 1925Bristol RoversH1–14,000Allen
374 April 1925Newport CountyA0–15,000
3810 April 1925Luton TownH3–07,000Allen (2), Lane
3913 April 1925Luton TownA1–36,000Garnish
4018 April 1925WatfordA1–34,000Allen
4125 April 1925Northampton TownH1–35,000Lane
422 May 1925Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH1–24,000Allen

FA Cup

See main article: 1924–25 FA Cup.

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1924–25 season.

Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotes
Goalkeepers
GKAlbert GilbertAugust 28, 1924Civil Service1924
GKWilliam YoungAugust 28, 1924South Shields1920
Defenders
DFCharles AltonAugust 30, 1924Rotherham County1921
DFEdwin CookeAugust 30, 1924Barnsley1924
DFGeorge KellAugust 30, 1924The Wednesday1922
DFEdward ShepherdAugust 30, 1924Harrow Weald1924
DFJohn Steel1895 (aged 28–29)Arsenal1925
Midfielders
HBBilly BroadbentAugust 30, 1924Oldham Athletic1924
HBTommy CainAugust 30, 1924Sheppey United1924
HBAlex Graham (c)August 30, 1924Arsenal1924
HBFrank HendersonAugust 30, 1924Stockport County1924
HBBill InglisAugust 30, 1924Derby County1922
HBGordon JohnstoneAugust 30, 1924Houghton Rovers1922
HBHorace Jonesn/aTon Pentre1922
HBRonald RoweAugust 30, 1924Wimbledon1924Amateur
HBJimmy WaltonAugust 30, 1924Bristol Rovers1924
Forwards
FWJack AllenAugust 30, 1924Leeds United1924
FWBilly ClaysonAugust 30, 1924Wellingborough Town1922
FWTom GarnishAugust 30, 1924Wandsworth1923
FWHarold Hughes1902 (aged 21–22)Aberdare Athletic1924
FWArthur Isaac1902 (aged 21–22)Cambridge Town1923Amateur
FWJack LaneAugust 30, 1924Chesterfield1925
FWJimmy McCreeAugust 30, 1924London Caledonians1925Amateur
FWCharles McGuiganAugust 30, 1924Newcastle United1924
FWReginald ParkerAugust 30, 1924Boldon Comrades1922
FWWilliam RelphAugust 30, 1924Ashington1924
FWVivian RoweAugust 30, 1924Dulwich Hamlet1924Amateur
FWHarry WilliamsAugust 30, 1924Manchester United1923
FWRalph WilliamsAugust 30, 1924Aberdare Athletic1924
FWBert YoungAugust 30, 1924Aberdare Athletic1925

Coaching staff

Archie Mitchell (30 August–2 December 1924)

NameRole
Archie MitchellManager
Dusty RhodesTrainer

Fred Halliday (3 December 1924 – 2 May 1925)

NameRole
Fred HallidayManager
Dusty RhodesTrainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals

PosNatNameLeagueFA CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GKAlbert Gilbert10010110
GKWilliam Young32000320
DFCharles Alton17010180
DFEdwin Cooke600060
DFGeorge Kell35010360
DFEdward Shepherd200020
DFJohn Steel160160
HBBilly Broadbent17010180
HBTommy Cain9010100
HBAlex Graham221221
HBFrank Henderson800080
HBBill Inglis25000250
HBGordon Johnstone200020
HBHorace Jones16000160
HBRonald Rowe800080
HBJimmy Walton23010240
FWJack Allen3614103714
FWBilly Clayson26000260
FWTom Garnish25411265
FWHarold Hughes14100141
FWArthur Isaac210021
FWJack Lane9494
FWJimmy McCree3030
FWCharles McGuigan200020
FWReginald Parker41811429
FWWilliam Relph711081
FWVivian Rowe410041
FWHarry Williams27211283
FWRalph Williams710071
FWBert Young110110

Goalscorers

Pos.NatPlayerFL3FACTotal
FWJack Allen14014
FWReginald Parker819
FWTom Garnish415
FWJack Lane44
FWHarry Williams213
HBAlex Graham11
FWHarold Hughes101
FWArthur Isaac101
FWWilliam Relph101
FWVivian Rowe101
FWRalph Williams101
Total38341

Management

NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Archie Mitchell30 August 192429 November 1924
Fred Halliday6 November 19242 May 1925

Summary

Games played 43 (42 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games won 9 (9 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn 7 (7 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost 27 (26 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored 41 (38 Third Division South, 3 FA Cup)
Goals conceded 96 (91 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Clean sheets 9 (9 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win 3–0 versus Luton Town, 10 April 1925
Worst league defeat 7–0 versus Swansea Town, 8 November 1924
Most appearances 42, Reginald Parker (42 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league) 14, Jack Allen
Top scorer (all competitions) 14, Jack Allen

Transfers & loans

Cricketers are not included in this list.

Players transferred in
DatePos.NamePrevious ClubFeeRef.
June 1924DF Edward Shepherd Harrow WealdAmateur[8]
June 1924FW Ralph Williams Aberdare AthleticFree
July 1924HB Tommy Cain Sheppey UnitedFree[9]
August 1924FW Jack Allen Leeds UnitedFree[10]
August 1924HB Billy Broadbent Oldham AthleticFree[11]
August 1924DF Edwin Cooke BarnsleyFree
August 1924HB Frank Henderson Stockport CountyFree
August 1924FW Harold Hughes Aberdare AthleticFree
August 1924FW Jimmy McCree London CaledoniansAmateur[12]
August 1924FW William Relph AshingtonFree[13]
August 1924FW Vivian Rowe Dulwich HamletAmateur
September 1924GK Albert Gilbert Civil ServiceAmateur
18 November 1924HB Jimmy Walton Bristol Rovers£125[14]
3 December 1924HB Alex Graham Arsenal£450[15]
1924HB Charles Kellyn/aAmateur[16]
1924FW Charles McGuigan Newcastle UnitedFree
1924HB Ronald Rowe WimbledonAmateur
January 1925DF John Steel ArsenalFree[17]
7 February 1925n/a John Stock Arthurlien/a
February 1925FW Bert Young Aberdare Athleticn/a
March 1925FW Jack Lane Chesterfield£115[18]
Players released
DatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.
May 1925HB Billy Broadbent Clapton OrientJune 1925[19]
May 1925FW Billy Clayson Crewe Alexandra1925
May 1925DF Edwin Cooke Grantham1925
May 1925FW Tom Garnish FulhamSeptember 1925[20]
May 1925HB Frank HendersonRetired
May 1925FW Harold Hughesn/a
May 1925HB Bill Inglis ReadingMay 1925[21]
May 1925FW Arthur Isaac Corinthian1925
May 1925FW Gordon Johnstone Felling Colliery1925
May 1925HB Horace Jones Hednesford Townn/a
May 1925DF George Kell Hartlepools United1925
May 1925HB Charles Kellyn/an/a
May 1925FW Jimmy McCree London Caledonians1925
May 1925FW Charles McGuigan Wheatley Hill Colliery1925
May 1925HB Ronald Rowe Wimbledon1925
May 1925FW Vivian Rowe Wimbledon1925
May 1925DF Edward ShepherdRetired
May 1925n/a John Stockn/a
May 1925FW Harry WilliamsRetired
May 1925FW Ralph Williams Aberaman Athletic1925
May 1925GK William YoungRetired

Notes and References

  1. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 118–119.
  2. Web site: Brentford results for the 1924–1925 season . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160324184151/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1924-1925/results . 24 March 2016 . 12 May 2016 . Statto.com.
  3. Book: Haynes, Graham . A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia . 1998 . Yore Publications . 1 874427 57 7 . Harefield, Middlesex . 107.
  4. Web site: Brentford . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193423/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/records . 4 March 2016 . 12 May 2016 . Statto.com.
  5. Book: Haynes, Graham . Brentford F.C.: The Complete History 1889–2008 . Twydell . Dave . Yore Publications . 2008 . 978-0-9557889-5-6 . Harefield . 528356934.
  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. News: 6 June 1924 . Inglis (centre-half) and Alton (left back) have re-signed for Brentford, who have secured the signature of R.S. Williams, the Aberdare centre-forward and E.A. Shepherd, the Harrow Weald left back . Chiswick Times.
  9. News: 18 July 1924 . Brentford Football Club. Generous Directors. . Chiswick Times.
  10. Web site: Allen: John William Alcroft (Jack) . 9 June 2016 . Leeds United F.C. History.
  11. News: 8 August 1924 . Brentford Football Club. New Comers To The Team: The Side Up To Date. . Chiswick Times.
  12. News: 22 August 1924 . Teams For Brentford's First Trial Match. Two More Promising Amateurs. . Chiswick Times.
  13. News: 1 August 1924 . Brentford Football Club have secured a new outside-right or left in W. Relph, from Ashington . Chiswick Times.
  14. Web site: Leeds United Player Profile: Jimmy Walton . 18 December 2016 . www.leeds-fans.org.uk.
  15. Web site: Graham Alex Arsenal 1922 . 7 July 2019 . Vintage Footballers . en-GB.
  16. Book: Dorey, F.W. . Season 1924–25 Brentford Football Club Official Handbook . 1924 . 9.
  17. Book: Litster, John . Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players . PM Publications . Norwich.
  18. Web site: Chesterfield FC line-ups, 1919 to date: 1924-25 . 19 December 2016 . Sky is Blue – The Chesterfield FC history resource.
  19. Web site: Broadbent Billy Oldham Athletic 1922 . 4 January 2021 . Vintage Footballers . en-GB.
  20. Web site: Thomas Garnish . 9 June 2016 . Fulhamweb.
  21. Web site: Player: William Inglis . 23 April 2024 . Watford Football Club archive 1881–2016 . en.