1942–43 Brentford F.C. season explained

Club:Brentford
Season:1942–43
Manager:Harry Curtis
Chairman:Louis P. Simon
Stadium:Griffin Park
League:Football League South
League Result:9th
Cup1:Football League South War Cup
Cup1 Result:Group stage
League Topscorer:Townsend (18)
Season Topscorer:Townsend (19)
Highest Attendance:23,180
Lowest Attendance:3,210
Average Attendance:25,768
Pattern La1:_red_stripes
Pattern B1:_redstripes2
Pattern Ra1:_red_stripes
Pattern Sh1:_whitesides
Pattern So1:_redtop_2whitestripes
Shorts1:000000
Socks1:000000
Prevseason:1941–42
Nextseason:1943–44

During the 1942–43 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League South, due to the cessation of competitive football for the duration of the Second World War. Early in a mid-table season for the club, inside forward Len Townsend notably scored six goals in a 9–4 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the most-ever in any match by a Brentford player.

Season summary

Brentford returned to the Football League South for the 1942–43 season with cause for optimism, having generated over £20,000 (equivalent to £ in) from the semi-finals and the final of the club's victorious 1941–42 London War Cup campaign. Again the first team squad would be hit by a lack of unavailability of players, with no goalkeeper available for the second season in succession. Despite averaging only 12 appearances per season since the war began, centre forward Len Townsend had been averaging nearly a goal a game and was in fantastic form, scoring 17 goals in a 17 match spell, including six in a 9–4 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on 12 September 1942. The record of six goals in a single match bettered the official club record of five, but due to the unofficial nature of wartime football, Townsend does not hold the club record outright.[1]

Brentford's league form held up until the turn of the year then fell apart, losing 10 of the final 15 matches of the season in all competitions. Guest forwards Eddie Perry and Douglas Hunt, who had scored the bulk of the team's goals since the beginning of the 1940–41 season failed to find the net with such regularity, though Albion Rovers' guest Tommy Kiernan notably scored 9 goals in his 10 appearances. The discontinuation of the London War Cup meant that the Bees would be unable to defend their crown, so the club were entered into the Football League South War Cup, which ended in elimination in the group stages. Brentford finished the league season in 9th place and Len Townsend scored 19 goals in 20 appearances.

League tables

Football League South

See main article: article and 1942–43 in English football.

Football League South War Cup

See main article: article and Football League War Cup.

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

WinDrawLoss

Football League South

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
129 August 1942Clapton OrientH2–23,210Holliday, D. Hunt
25 September 1942FulhamA1–34,600D. Hunt
312 September 1942Brighton & Hove AlbionH9–44,020Townsend (6), Kiernan (2), D. Hunt
419 September 1942ChelseaH0–28,480
526 September 1942Queens Park RangersA1–48,000Kiernan
63 October 1942WatfordH3–03,590Wilkins, Hopkins, D. Hunt
710 October 1942West Ham UnitedH6–27,000Kiernan, Fenton (og), Townsend (2)
817 October 1942ArsenalA2–016,700Smith, Kiernan
924 October 1942AldershotH4–15,000D. Hunt, Townsend, Aicken, Kiernan
1031 October 1942Luton TownH2–25,000Sneddon, Townsend
117 November 1942MillwallA2–14,557D. Hunt, Perry
1214 November 1942Charlton AthleticA4–13,000Perry (2), Townsend, D. Hunt
1321 November 1942ReadingH3–35,390Kiernan, D. Hunt (2)
1428 November 1942Clapton OrientA0–22,500
155 December 1942FulhamH4–25,200Townsend (3), McKenzie
1612 December 1942Brighton & Hove AlbionA2–74,000Townsend, D. Hunt
1719 December 1942ChelseaA4–28,154Townsend, McKenzie (2), Hopkins
1825 December 1942Tottenham HotspurA1–114,621Townsend
1926 December 1942Tottenham HotspurH2–112,540Townsend, Hopkins
202 January 1943Queens Park RangersH2–07,500D. Hunt (2)
219 January 1943WatfordA0–22,177
2216 January 1943West Ham UnitedA1–47,500Perry
2323 January 1943ArsenalH0–123,180
2430 January 1943AldershotA1–24,000Townsend
256 February 1943Luton TownA1–13,000Hunt (og)
2613 February 1943MillwallH3–15,150McCulloch (2), Perry
2720 February 1943Charlton AthleticH3–54,680James, Armstrong, Smith
2827 February 1943ReadingA1–74,000Henley

Football League South War Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
Grp6 March 1943Queens Park RangersH1–210,520O'Donnell
Grp13 March 1943Clapton OrientA1–13,707Hopkins
Grp20 March 1943SouthamptonH1–66,600Townsend
Grp27 March 1943Queens Park RangersA0–29,954
Grp3 April 1943Clapton OrientH3–24,080D. Hunt (2, 1 pen), Hopkins
Grp10 April 1943SouthamptonA1–213,000Holliday

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1942–43 season.

Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotes
Defenders
DFBuster BrownAugust 29, 1942Huddersfield Town1937
DFGeorge PoyserAugust 29, 1942Port Vale1934
Midfielders
HBJoe JamesAugust 29, 1942Battersea Church1929
HBErnest MuttittAugust 29, 1942Middlesbrough1932Guest for Chelsea, West Ham United
Forwards
FWVic AickenAugust 29, 1942Glentoran1937Guest for Watford
FWTommy CheethamAugust 29, 1942Queens Park Rangers1939
FWJack HollidayAugust 29, 1942Middlesbrough1932
FWIdris HopkinsAugust 29, 1942Crystal Palace1932
FWBilly ScottAugust 29, 1942Middlesbrough1932
FWLes SmithAugust 29, 1942Petersham1934
FWLen TownsendAugust 29, 1942Hayes1937Guest for Belfast Celtic
FWGeorge WilkinsAugust 29, 1942Hayes1939
Guest players
GKHarry DukesAugust 29, 1942Norwich City1941Guest from Norwich City
GKKen GrovesAugust 29, 1942Preston North End1943Guest from Preston North End
GKJohn JacksonAugust 29, 1942Chelsea1942Guest from Chelsea
GKBill MasonAugust 29, 1942Queens Park Rangers1942Guest from Queens Park Rangers
GKReg SaphinAugust 29, 1942Walthamstow Avenue1943Guest from Walthamstow Avenue
DFAlex Muirn/aAlbion Rovers1942Guest from Albion Rovers
HBErnie CollettAugust 29, 1942Arsenal1943Guest from Arsenal
HBDuncan McKenzieAugust 29, 1942Middlesbrough1943Guest from Middlesbrough
HBTally SneddonAugust 29, 1942Swansea Town1942Guest from Swansea Town
HBBill WhittakerAugust 29, 1942Charlton Athletic1942Guest from Charlton Athletic
FWMatt ArmstrongAugust 29, 1942Aberdeen1942Guest from Aberdeen
FWAlbert BonassAugust 29, 1942Queens Park Rangers1942Guest from Queens Park Rangers
FWWalter BoyesAugust 29, 1942Everton1943Guest from Everton
FWEdwin CunninghamAugust 29, 1942Bristol City1942Guest from Bristol City
FWHarry Dooleyn/aUnattached1943Guest
FWAllenby DriverAugust 29, 1942Sheffield Wednesday1943Guest from Sheffield Wednesday
FWJack FinchAugust 29, 1942Fulham1943Guest from Fulham
FWDick FossAugust 29, 1942Chelsea1942Guest from Chelsea
FWPat GallacherAugust 29, 1942Bournemouth1942Guest from Bournemouth
FWLes HenleyAugust 29, 1942Arsenal1943Guest from Arsenal
FWDennis HillmanAugust 29, 1942Brighton & Hove Albion1943Guest from Brighton & Hove Albion
FWDouglas HuntAugust 29, 1942Sheffield Wednesday1942Guest from Sheffield Wednesday
FWTommy KiernanAugust 29, 1942Albion Rovers1942Guest from Albion Rovers
FWDavid McCullochAugust 29, 1942Derby County1943Guest from Derby County
FWMiltonn/aFulham1943Amateur, guest from Fulham
FWFrank O'DonnellAugust 29, 1942Blackpool1943Guest from Blackpool
FWEddie PerryAugust 29, 1942Doncaster Rovers1942Guest from Doncaster Rovers
FWReg PughAugust 29, 1942Cardiff City1942Guest from Cardiff City
FWJack VidlerAugust 29, 1942Bristol City1943Guest from Bristol City

Coaching staff

NameRole
Harry CurtisManager
Jimmy BainAssistant Manager
Bob KaneTrainer
Jack CartmellAssistant Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals

PosNatNameLeagueFL War CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
DFBuster Brown28060340
DFGeorge Poyser25060310
HBJoe James27160331
HBErnest Muttitt6040100
FWVic Aicken2121
FWTommy Cheetham2020
FWJack Holliday521163
FWIdris Hopkins22362285
FWBilly Scott2020
FWLes Smith20260262
FWLen Townsend1918112019
FWGeorge Wilkins4141
Players guested during the season
GKHarry Dukes1010
GKKen Groves1010
GKJohn Jackson26030290
GKBill Mason1010
GKReg Saphin1010
DFAlex Muir2020
HBErnie Collett3030
HBDuncan McKenzie25340293
HBTally Sneddon181181
HBBill Whittaker801090
FWMatt Armstrong3131
FWAlbert Bonass1010
FWWalter Boyes2020
FWEdwin Cunningham1010
FWHarry Dooley1010
FWAllenby Driver1010
FWJack Finch101010
FWDick Foss1010
FWPat Gallacher1010
FWLes Henley1111
FWDennis Hillman1010
FWDouglas Hunt2412522914
FWTommy Kiernan109109
FWDavid McCulloch2222
FWMilton101020
FWFrank O'Donnell1111
FWReg Pugh1010
FWEddie Perry13550185
FWJack Vidler1010

Goalscorers

Pos.NatPlayerFLSFLCTotal
FWLen Townsend18119
FWDouglas Hunt12214
FWTommy Kiernan99
FWEddie Perry505
FWIdris Hopkins325
HBDuncan McKenzie303
FWJack Holliday213
FWDavid McCulloch22
FWLes Smith202
FWVic Aicken11
FWMatt Armstrong11
FWLes Henley11
FWFrank O'Donnell11
HBTally Sneddon11
FWGeorge Wilkins11
HBJoe James101
Opponents202
Total64771

Summary

Games played 34 (28 London League, 6 Football League War Cup)
Games won 13 (12 London League, 1 Football League War Cup)
Games drawn 6 (5 London League, 1 Football League War Cup)
Games lost 15 (11 London League, 4 Football League War Cup)
Goals scored 71 (64 London League, 7 Football League War Cup)
Goals conceded 78 (63 London League, 15 Football League War Cup)
Clean sheets 3 (3 London League, 0 Football League War Cup)
Biggest league win9–4 versus Brighton & Hove Albion, 12 September 1942
Worst league defeat 7–1 versus Reading, 27 February 1943
Most appearances 34, Buster Brown (28 London League, 6 Football League War Cup)
Top scorer (league)18, Len Townsend
Top scorer (all competitions)19, Len Townsend

Transfers & loans

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

Guest players in
Date fromPos.NamePrevious ClubDate toRef.
29 August 1942FW Albert Bonass Queens Park Rangers29 August 1942
29 August 1942FW Douglas Hunt Sheffield WednesdayEnd of season
29 August 1942GK Bill Mason Queens Park Rangers29 August 1942
29 August 1942HB Duncan McKenzie MiddlesbroughEnd of season
5 September 1942FW Edwin Cunningham Bristol City5 September 1942
5 September 1942GK John Jackson Chelsea20 March 1943
5 September 1942HB Tally Sneddon Swansea Town27 February 1943
5 September 1942HB Bill Whittaker Charlton AthleticEnd of season
12 September 1942FW Tommy Kiernan Albion Rovers19 December 1942
26 September 1942FW Pat Gallacher Portsmouth26 September 1942
26 September 1942FW Reg Pugh Cardiff City26 September 1942
10 October 1942FW Matt Armstrong Aberdeen20 February 1943
31 October 1942FW Eddie Perry Doncaster Rovers3 April 1943
12 December 1942GK Harry Dukes Norwich City12 December 1942
19 December 1942FW Dick Foss Chelsea19 December 1942
25 December 1942DF Alex Muir Albion Rovers26 December 1942
2 January 1943FW Allenby Driver Sheffield Wednesday2 January 1943
2 January 1943FW Jack Finch Fulham6 March 1943
9 January 1943FW Jack Vidler Bristol City9 January 1943
23 January 1943FW David McCulloch Derby County13 February 1943
6 February 1943FW Walter Boyes Everton13 February 1943
20 February 1943FW MiltonUnattached13 March 1943
27 February 1943FW Les Henley Arsenal27 February 1943
27 February 1943FW Dennis Hillman Brighton & Hove Albion27 February 1943
6 March 1943FW Frank O'Donnell Blackpool6 March 1943
20 March 1943HB Ernie Collett Arsenal3 April 1943
27 March 1943FW Harry DooleyUnattachedEnd of season
27 March 1943GK Ken Groves Preston North End27 March 1943
3 April 1943GK Reg Saphin Walthamstow AvenueEnd of season
Guest players out
Date fromPos.NameToDate toRef.
8 August 1942GK Joe Crozier Hibernian5 September 1942[6]
12 December 1942HB Vic Aicken Watford19 December 1942[7]
9 January 1943HB Ernest Muttitt West Ham United9 January 1943[8]
27 March 1943HB Ernest Muttitt Chelsea10 April 1943[9]
n/aFW Len Townsend Belfast Celtic1943

Notes and References

  1. Book: Haynes, Graham . A-Z of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia . 1998 . Yore Publications . 1 874427 57 7 . 62–63.
  2. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 377.
  3. Book: Haynes, Graham . Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 . Coumbe . Frank . Yore Publications . 2006 . 978-0955294914.
  4. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . Tony Brown . 2012 . 190589161X . Nottingham.
  5. Web site: Dai Hopkins . 23 May 2016 . 11v11.com.
  6. Web site: Hibernian Player Joseph Crozier, Games Played . 26 June 2016 . www.fitbastats.com.
  7. Web site: Season: 1942/1943 . 31 May 2024 . Watford Football Club Archive . en.
  8. Web site: Ernie [ww 2] Muttitt ]. 26 June 2016 . www.westhamstats.info.
  9. Web site: 1942–43 Wartime League . 11 January 2018 . TheChels.info – The Chelsea Football Club Wiki . en.