1963–64 Brentford F.C. season explained

Club:Brentford
Season:1963–64
Manager:Malky MacDonald
Chairman:Jack Dunnett
Stadium:Griffin Park
League:Third Division
League Result:15th
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Fourth round
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:Second round
League Topscorer:Ward (19)
Season Topscorer:Ward (22)
Highest Attendance:26,000
Lowest Attendance:6,800
Average Attendance:11,883
Pattern La1:_red_stripes
Pattern B1:_redstripes2
Pattern Ra1:_red_stripes
Pattern So1:_2 white stripes
Shorts1:000000
Socks1:ff0000
Prevseason:1962–63
Nextseason:1964–65

During the 1963–64 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. Despite expectations that the club could achieve a second-successive promotion, poor form in late 1963 and early 1964 led to a mid-table finish.

Season summary

After a single-season stay in the Fourth Division, Brentford had returned to the Third Division as champions for the 1963–64 season. A large outlay had been made on new signings during the previous 12 months and though chairman Jack Dunnett stated that the club's big-spending days were a thing of the past, he would continue to make money available to manager Malky MacDonald during the season. There was very little transfer activity during the 1963 off-season, with half backs Willie Smith and Bill Slater coming in (Slater returned to Griffin Park after 11 years away) and £5,000 was spent on Liverpool full back Allan Jones as a replacement for the inexperienced Tom Anthony. Redevelopment work was carried out on Griffin Park throughout the summer, with floodlight pylons erected at each corner of the ground, while new club offices and a bar were built into the Braemar Road stand.

Brentford had what was perceived to be a poor start to the season and sat in mid-table after 10 matches.[1] Expectations had been high after the Fourth Division championship triumph at the end of the previous season, but defeat to an attractive Coventry City side (managed by former Brentford player Jimmy Hill) on 5 October 1963 highlighted the gulf between the Third and Fourth Divisions. In the wake of the defeat, Brentford rapidly recovered and won six and drew two of the following 10 matches, which included a 9–0 thrashing of Wrexham at Griffin Park, a result which remains as the club's record Football League win.[2] The team's form collapsed in late November 1963 and despite something of a recovery after a spell of over three months without a league win, the Bees were consigned to a 15th-place finish. Some success was had in the FA Cup with a run to the fourth round, but after seeing off Second Division Middlesbrough in the third round, Fourth Division strugglers Oxford United took Brentford to a replay in the fourth round and then emerged 2–1 victors at Griffin Park.

100 goals were scored during the season, just two shy of the total set during the previous campaign,[3] but the team's achilles heel was the goalkeeping position, with four players vying for the position, though November 1963 signing Chic Brodie would eventually make the position his own. The end of the 1963–64 season was notable for the retirement of full back and captain Ken Coote. He had made 559 appearances and scored 15 goals over the course of 15 seasons for Brentford and is the club's all-time record appearance maker.

A large number of record were set or equalled during the season:

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

WinDrawLoss

Football League Third Division

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
124 August 1963Notts CountyH4–113,200Block, Brooks, Loxley (og), McAdams
227 August 1963Bristol CityH1–216,800Dick
331 August 1963Crewe AlexandraA1–16,729McLeod
47 September 1963Crystal PalaceH2–115,800Block, McAdams
510 September 1963Bristol CityA3–312,689Dick (2), Kurila (og)
614 September 1963WalsallA2–26,448McAdams, Block
716 September 1963Port ValeA0–311,559
821 September 1963ReadingH4–212,360Dick (3), Block
928 September 1963Luton TownA2–07,479Dick, McAdams
101 October 1963Port ValeH1–211,900McAdams
115 October 1963Coventry CityH2–315,830Dick, McAdams
129 October 1963WrexhamA4–27,923Slater (2), McAdams, Dick
1312 October 1963Bristol RoversH2–513,400Fielding, Dick
1415 October 1963WrexhamH9–010,500McAdams (2), Ward (2), Fox (og), Hales, Brooks (2), Summers
1519 October 1963BarnsleyA1–16,602Brooks
1621 October 1963Mansfield TownA2–212,115Dick, Ward
1726 October 1963MillwallH3–115,200McAdams, Block (2)
1829 October 1963Mansfield TownH4–014,900Dick, Ward (3)
192 November 1963Colchester UnitedA2–17,117Block, Dick
209 November 1963WatfordH1–217,000Dick
2123 November 1963Peterborough UnitedH2–015,900Dick (2)
2230 November 1963Oldham AthleticA1–414,385Block
2314 December 1963Notts CountyA0–23,744
2421 December 1963Crewe AlexandraH2–27,520Fielding, Dick
2528 December 1963Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–27,992
2611 January 1964Crystal PalaceA0–116,630
2718 January 1964WalsallH1–110,650Ward
281 February 1964ReadingA3–410,783Block, Lazarus, Ward
298 February 1964Luton TownH2–69,000McAdams, Lazarus
3015 February 1964Coventry CityA2–222,971Dick, Ward
3122 February 1964Bristol RoversA1–38,703Block
3229 February 1964Queens Park RangersH2–212,200Block, Lazarus
337 March 1964MillwallA3–19,140McAdams, Ward (2)
3414 March 1964Colchester UnitedH3–17,050Ward (2), Lazarus
3516 March 1964Southend UnitedA1–26,846Ward
3620 March 1964Queens Park RangersA2–29,351Ward (2)
3728 March 1964Southend UnitedH3–09,200Higginson, Fielding, McAdams
3830 March 1964Shrewsbury TownH0–110,040
3931 March 1964Shrewsbury TownA1–15,058Summers
404 April 1964Peterborough UnitedA0–35,550
4111 April 1964Oldham AthleticH2–08,930Ward (2)
4213 April 1964Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH2–010,200Jones, Ward
4318 April 1964Hull CityA0–06,798
4421 April 1964WatfordA2–219,279Fielding, McAdams
4525 April 1964BarnsleyH1–18,350Thomson
4628 April 1964Hull CityH1–36,800Hales

FA Cup

See main article: 1963–64 FA Cup.

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
1R16 November 1963MargateH2–212,150Block, Dick
1R (replay)20 November 1963MargateA2–06,212Ward (2)
2R7 December 1963Gravesend & NorthfleetH1–011,850Block
3R4 January 1964MiddlesbroughH2–116,100Dick, McAdams
4R25 January 1964Oxford UnitedA2–215,517Block, Ward
4R (replay)28 January 1964Oxford UnitedH1–226,000McAdams

Football League Cup

See main article: 1963–64 Football League Cup.

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
1R (1st leg)4 September 1963ReadingA1–17,582Block
1R (replay)23 September 1963ReadingH2–010,360Spiers (og), McLaughlin
2R25 September 1963Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH0–010,830
2R (replay)4 November 1963Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–28,057

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1963–64 season.

Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotes
Goalkeepers
GKChic BrodieAugust 24, 1963Northampton Town1963
GKGerry CakebreadAugust 24, 1963Youth1954
GKGordon PhillipsAugust 24, 1963Hayes1963
GKFred RyecraftAugust 24, 1963Southall1959
Defenders
DFTom AnthonyAugust 24, 1963Youth1961
DFKen Coote (c)August 24, 1963Wembley1949
DFAlan HawleyAugust 24, 1963Youth1962
DFAllan JonesAugust 24, 1963Liverpool1963
DFGeorge ThomsonAugust 24, 1963Everton1963
Midfielders
HBMatt CroweAugust 24, 1963Norwich City1962
HBPeter GelsonAugust 24, 1963Youth1961
HBTommy HigginsonAugust 24, 1963Kilmarnock1959
HBHugh McLaughlinAugust 24, 1963St Roch's1961
HBMel ScottAugust 24, 1963Chelsea1963
HBBill SlaterAugust 24, 1963Wolverhampton Wanderers1963Amateur
HBWillie SmithAugust 24, 1963Celtic1963
Forwards
FWMicky BlockAugust 24, 1963Chelsea1962
FWJohn DickAugust 24, 1963West Ham United1962
FWJohn FieldingAugust 24, 1963Southport1963
FWJohnny HalesAugust 24, 1963St Roch's1958
FWMark LazarusAugust 24, 1963Queens Park Rangers1964
FWBilly McAdamsAugust 24, 1963Leeds United1962
FWTim SoutarAugust 24, 1963Youth1961
FWGeorge SummersAugust 24, 1963Shawfield1959
FWDai WardAugust 24, 1963Watford1963
Players who left the club mid-season
FWJohnny BrooksAugust 24, 1963Chelsea1961Transferred to Crystal Palace
FWGeorge McLeodAugust 24, 1963Luton Town1958Transferred to Queens Park Rangers

Coaching staff

NameRole
Malky MacDonaldManager
Tommy CavanaghTrainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals

PosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GKChic Brodie25040—290
GKGerry Cakebread60000060
GKGordon Phillips00100010
GKFred Ryecraft1501040200
DFTom Anthony00100010
DFKen Coote1901040240
DFAllan Jones4516040551
DFAlan Hawley1200000120
DFGeorge Thomson23140—271
HBMatt Crowe3406010410
HBPeter Gelson20000020
HBTommy Higginson3715010431
HBHugh McLaughlin20002141
HBMel Scott4406040540
HBBill Slater52000052
HBWillie Smith1301040180
FWMicky Block351163414515
FWJohnny Brooks64002084
FWJohn Dick301862404020
FWJohn Fielding2840030314
FWJohnny Hales923000122
FWMark Lazarus204——204
FWBilly McAdams391462304816
FWGeorge McLeod1413030201
FWTim Soutar10000010
FWGeorge Summers920010102
FWDai Ward331963—3922

Goalscorers

Pos.NatPlayerFL3FACFLCTotal
FWDai Ward193—22
FWJohn Dick182020
FWBilly McAdams142016
FWMicky Block113115
FWMark Lazarus4——4
FWJohnny Brooks4004
FWJohn Fielding4004
FWJohnny Hales2002
HBBill Slater2002
FWGeorge Summers2002
HBTommy Higginson1001
DFAllan Jones1001
FWGeorge McLeod1001
DFGeorge Thomson1001
HBHugh McLaughlin0011
Opponents3003
Total87103100

Summary

Games played 56 (46 Third Division, 6 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Games won 19 (15 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Games drawn 18 (14 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games lost 19 (17 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored 100 (87 Third Division, 10 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Goals conceded 90 (80 Third Division, 7 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Clean sheets 10 (8 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Biggest league win 9–0 versus Wrexham, 12 September 1963
Worst league defeat 6–2 versus Luton Town, 8 February 1964
Most appearances 55, Allan Jones (45 Third Division, 6 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Top scorer (league) 19, Dai Ward
Top scorer (all competitions) 22, Dai Ward

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
DatePos.NamePrevious ClubFeeRef.
June 1963HB Willie Smith CelticFree
July 1963HB Bill Slater Wolverhampton WanderersAmateur
August 1963DF Allan Jones Liverpool£5,000
15 October 1963FW Dai Ward Watford£8,000
November 1963GK Chic Brodie Northampton Town£10,000[7]
November 1963DF George Thomson Evertonn/a
1963GK Gordon Phillips Hayesn/a
1963n/a John Toddn/an/a
January 1964FW Mark Lazarus Queens Park RangersPart-exchange
Players transferred out
DatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.
January 1964FW George McLeod Queens Park RangersPart-exchange
January 1964FW Johnny Brooks Crystal Palacen/a
Players released
DatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.
April 1964DF Ken CooteRetired
April 1964HB Matt Crowe Port Elizabeth Cityn/a
April 1964FW Johnny HalesRetired
April 1964GK Fred Ryecraft Gravesend & Northfleetn/a
April 1964HB Graham Sawyer Bexley United1964[8]
April 1964HB Bill Slater Northern Nomadsn/a

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brentford results for the 1963–1964 season . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160318081816/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1963-1964/results . 18 March 2016 . 22 January 2017 . Statto.com . en-GB.
  2. Web site: Brentford scoring and sequence records . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193423/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/records . 4 March 2016 . 22 January 2017 . Statto.com . en-GB.
  3. Web site: Brentford results for the 1962–1963 season . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151002222345/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1962-1963/results . 2 October 2015 . 3 December 2016 . Statto.com.
  4. Book: Haynes, Graham . A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia . 1998 . Yore Publications . 1 874427 57 7 . 78–79.
  5. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 387.
  6. Book: Haynes, Graham . Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 . Coumbe . Frank . Yore Publications . 2006 . 978-0955294914.
  7. Book: Croxford, Mark . The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies . Lane . David . Waterman . Greville . Legends Publishing . 2011 . 978-1906796709 . Sunbury, Middlesex . 255–256.
  8. Web site: Graham Sawyer . 23 January 2017.

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