| Club: | Brentford |
| Season: | 1973–74 |
| Manager: | Mike Everitt |
| Chairman: | (until January 1974) Walter Wheatley (January–March 1974) |
| Stadium: | Griffin Park |
| League: | Fourth Division |
| League Result: | 19th |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | First round |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | First round |
| League Topscorer: | Cross (17) |
| Season Topscorer: | Cross (17) |
| Highest Attendance: | 8,717 |
| Lowest Attendance: | 3,166 |
| Average Attendance: | 5,063 |
| Pattern La1: | _red_stripes |
| Pattern B1: | _brentford_home_7375 |
| Pattern Ra1: | _red_stripes |
| Pattern Sh1: | _white stripes |
| Pattern So1: | _redtop_2whitestripes |
| Shorts1: | 000000 |
| Socks1: | 000000 |
| Pattern B2: | _brentford_away_7274 |
| Rightarm2: | FFFFFF |
| Leftarm2: | FFFFFF |
| Shorts2: | 0631a8 |
| Pattern So2: | _brentford_away_7274 |
| Prevseason: | 1972–73 |
| Nextseason: | 1974–75 |
During the 1973–74 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. A dreadful season, marred by infighting at boardroom level, resulted in a 19th-place finish, Brentford's lowest in the Football League since the 1925–26 season.
In the wake of Brentford's relegation straight back to the Fourth Division at the end of the previous season, manager Frank Blunstone, who had come to the end of his contract, left Griffin Park to take over as youth team manager at Manchester United.[1] Despite the relegation, fan support for Blunstone was high and the finger of blame pointed at the board of directors, with one letter to the Middlesex Chronicle summing up the situation that the board's penny-pinching ways since 1967 were "necessary for a couple of years or so, but timidity of this sort prompts me to believe that promotion last year was an unwelcome accident, which has now been rectified". Brentford entered pre-season without a manager and training was taken by full back Alan Hawley and other senior professionals. Eventually former Wimbledon player-manager Mike Everitt was appointed as manager, just seven days before the beginning of the season. Everitt made no signings before the first match of the season and inherited a tiny 14-man squad, with backup goalkeeper Gary Towse being Brentford's only incoming transfer, signed two months earlier.
With Brentford one place above the re-election zone after seven league matches,[2] manager Everitt began recruiting new players, including defender Gordon Riddick for a £4,000 fee and loanees Michael Brown and Hughie Reed. The signings had no immediate impact and Brentford sank to the bottom of the Football League after a 4–1 defeat to Scunthorpe United at the Old Showground. The loss meant that Brentford became the first club to occupy both first and last places in the Football League, having risen to top position during the early months of the 1937–38 season. Behind the scenes, the Brentford board had split into two factions, with one side pushing for a move to a new stadium and the other half wishing to stay at Griffin Park. Joint-chairmen Les Davey and Walter Wheatley were split on the matter and Wheatley became sole chairman of the club in January 1974, though he would be ousted two months later.
With Brentford still struggling on the field, midfielder Stewart Houston was sold to Manchester United in December 1973 for a club-record £55,000 fee,[3] but the money was not immediately reinvested in the squad. The disharmony in the boardroom also spread to the playing squad, with Paul Bence, Alan Nelmes, Jackie Graham, Barry Salvage and Paul Priddy requesting moves away, though ultimately none would depart Griffin Park.[4] A 10-match unbeaten run from mid-February through to early-April 1974 finally assured safety and youth products Richard Poole, Kevin Harding and Roy Cotton were able to be blooded, though none of the trio would make more than a handful of senior appearances for the club. Cambridge United forward Dave Simmonds and Bournemouth defender Jimmy Gabriel were brought in on transfer deadline day. Brentford ended the season in 19th place, the club's lowest finish in the Football League since the 1925–26 season. The average home league attendance of 5,063 was the lowest since the club joined the Football League in 1920.[5]
Brentford's goal tally listed first.
| Win | Draw | Loss |
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 1973 | Hereford United | H | 2–2 | 3,330 | Webb, Graham | |
| 18 August 1973 | Aldershot | A | 0–1 | 2,363 | ||
| 20 August 1973 | Luton Town | H | 1–1 | 2,320 | Cross | |
| 29 October 1973 | Ex-Bees XI | H | 3–4 | 1,461 | Woon, Salvage, Metchick | |
| 6 May 1974 | Orient | H | 2–2 | 2,550 | O'Mara, Docherty |
| No. | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 August 1973 | Hartlepool | A | 0–1 | 3,447 | ||
| 2 | 1 September 1973 | Exeter City | H | 0–1 | 4,814 | ||
| 3 | 8 September 1973 | Darlington | A | 2–1 | 2,287 | Woon, Cross | |
| 4 | 10 September 1973 | Torquay United | H | 0–0 | 5,581 | ||
| 5 | 15 September 1973 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 2–0 | 4,957 | Cross (2) | |
| 6 | 17 September 1973 | Reading | H | 0–1 | 8,717 | ||
| 7 | 22 September 1973 | Bury | A | 0–3 | 4,329 | ||
| 8 | 29 September 1973 | Barnsley | H | 5–1 | 5,010 | Scales, Woon (2), Docherty, Metchick | |
| 9 | 3 October 1973 | Reading | A | 0–1 | 11,267 | ||
| 10 | 6 October 1973 | Lincoln City | A | 2–3 | 4,056 | Woon, Cross | |
| 11 | 13 October 1973 | Peterborough United | H | 0–1 | 6,141 | ||
| 12 | 20 October 1973 | Rotherham United | H | 1–1 | 4,419 | Webb | |
| 13 | 24 October 1973 | Torquay United | A | 0–3 | 4,445 | ||
| 14 | 27 October 1973 | Scunthorpe United | A | 1–4 | 2,523 | Cross | |
| 15 | 3 November 1973 | Mansfield Town | H | 4–1 | 4,331 | Houston, Cross (3, 1 pen) | |
| 16 | 10 November 1973 | Workington | A | 2–0 | 970 | Woon, Riddick | |
| 17 | 12 November 1973 | Stockport County | A | 1–1 | 1,948 | Riddick | |
| 18 | 17 November 1973 | Chester | H | 3–0 | 5,166 | Cross (3) | |
| 19 | 1 December 1973 | Gillingham | H | 0–3 | 5,748 | ||
| 20 | 8 December 1973 | Bradford City | A | 1–1 | 3,243 | Webb | |
| 21 | 15 December 1973 | Darlington | H | 0–0 | 3,166 | ||
| 22 | 22 December 1973 | Barnsley | A | 1–2 | 2,458 | Cross | |
| 23 | 26 December 1973 | Newport County | H | 1–1 | 5,445 | Graham | |
| 24 | 1 January 1974 | Exeter City | A | 1–2 | 5,754 | Salvage | |
| 25 | 5 January 1974 | Swansea City | H | 0–2 | 3,501 | ||
| 26 | 12 January 1974 | Doncaster Rovers | A | 2–1 | 3,009 | Woon (2) | |
| 27 | 19 January 1974 | Hartlepool | H | 1–2 | 4,646 | Allen | |
| 28 | 26 January 1974 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 0–0 | 1,380 | ||
| 29 | 2 February 1974 | Northampton Town | A | 0–0 | 4,130 | ||
| 30 | 9 February 1974 | Bury | H | 1–2 | 4,015 | Cross | |
| 31 | 16 February 1974 | Peterborough United | A | 0–1 | 7,645 | ||
| 32 | 23 February 1974 | Lincoln City | H | 2–1 | 4,171 | Salvage, Cross | |
| 33 | 2 March 1974 | Newport County | A | 1–1 | 2,167 | Salvage | |
| 34 | 9 March 1974 | Scunthorpe United | H | 2–1 | 4,053 | Salvage, Allen | |
| 35 | 16 March 1974 | Rotherham United | A | 1–1 | 2,536 | Metchick | |
| 36 | 18 March 1974 | Northampton Town | H | 3–1 | 3,686 | Cross, Simmons, Salvage | |
| 37 | 23 March 1974 | Workington | H | 1–1 | 5,008 | Cross | |
| 38 | 26 March 1974 | Swansea City | A | 0–0 | 2,220 | ||
| 39 | 30 March 1974 | Mansfield Town | A | 1–1 | 1,909 | Graham | |
| 40 | 1 April 1974 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 3–0 | 5,552 | Cross, Metchick, Simmons | |
| 41 | 6 April 1974 | Stockport County | H | 0–0 | 5,625 | ||
| 42 | 12 April 1974 | Colchester United | A | 1–2 | 8,155 | Simmons | |
| 43 | 13 April 1974 | Chester | A | 0–0 | 2,775 | ||
| 44 | 16 April 1974 | Colchester United | H | 0–0 | 7,478 | ||
| 45 | 20 April 1974 | Bradford City | H | 2–0 | 5,224 | Simmons, Poole | |
| 46 | 27 April 1974 | Gillingham | A | 0–1 | 9,319 |
See main article: 1973–74 FA Cup.
See main article: 1973–74 Football League Cup.
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1973–74 season.
| Pos. | Name | Nat. | Date of birth (age) | Signed from | Signed in | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||||||
| GK | Paul Priddy | August 25, 1973 | Maidenhead United | 1972 | |||
| GK | Steve Sherwood | August 25, 1973 | Chelsea | 1973 | On loan from Chelsea | ||
| Defenders | |||||||
| DF | Michael Allen | August 25, 1973 | Middlesbrough | 1971 | |||
| DF | Paul Bence | August 25, 1973 | Reading | 1970 | Loaned to Hillingdon Borough | ||
| DF | Jimmy Gabriel | August 25, 1973 | Bournemouth | 1974 | Coach | ||
| DF | Peter Gelson | August 25, 1973 | Youth | 1961 | |||
| DF | Alan Hawley | August 25, 1973 | Youth | 1962 | Loaned to Hillingdon Borough and Aldershot | ||
| DF | Gordon Riddick (c) | August 25, 1973 | Northampton Town | 1973 | |||
| DF | Terry Scales | August 25, 1973 | West Ham United | 1971 | |||
| DF | Gary Smith | August 25, 1973 | Youth | 1974 | |||
| Midfielders | |||||||
| MF | John Docherty | August 25, 1973 | Reading | 1970 | Assistant manager | ||
| MF | Jackie Graham | August 25, 1973 | Guildford City | 1970 | |||
| MF | Dave Metchick | August 25, 1973 | Atlanta Apollos | 1973 | |||
| MF | Alan Nelmes | August 25, 1973 | Chelsea | 1967 | |||
| MF | Barry Salvage | August 25, 1973 | Queens Park Rangers | 1973 | |||
| Forwards | |||||||
| FW | Roy Cotton | August 25, 1973 | Youth | 1973 | |||
| FW | Roger Cross | August 25, 1973 | Fulham | 1973 | |||
| FW | Kevin Harding | August 25, 1973 | Youth | 1974 | |||
| FW | Richard Poole | August 25, 1973 | Youth | 1974 | |||
| FW | Dave Simmons | August 25, 1973 | Cambridge United | 1974 | |||
| FW | Stan Webb | August 25, 1973 | Carlisle United | 1972 | |||
| FW | Andy Woon | August 25, 1973 | Bognor Regis Town | 1973 | |||
| Players who left the club mid-season | |||||||
| GK | Gary Towse | August 25, 1973 | Crystal Palace | 1973 | Released | ||
| DF | Michael Brown | August 25, 1973 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1973 | Returned to Brighton & Hove Albion after loan | ||
| MF | Stewart Houston | August 25, 1973 | Chelsea | 1972 | Transferred to Manchester United | ||
| MF | Hughie Reed | August 25, 1973 | Plymouth Argyle | 1973 | Returned to Plymouth Argyle after loan | ||
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Everitt | Manager | |
| John Docherty | Assistant manager | |
| Jimmy Gabriel | Coach | |
| Jess Willard | Trainer, Chief Scout |
Substitute appearances in brackets.
| Pos | Nat | Name | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| GK | Paul Priddy | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0 | ||
| GK | Gary Towse | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| DF | Michael Allen | 27 (5) | 2 | 0 (1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 (8) | 3 | ||
| DF | Paul Bence | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||
| DF | Jimmy Gabriel | 9 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||||
| DF | Peter Gelson | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 0 | ||
| DF | Alan Hawley | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 0 | ||
| DF | Gordon Riddick | 26 (1) | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 27 (1) | 2 | |||
| DF | Terry Scales | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | ||
| MF | John Docherty | 13 (1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 (1) | 1 | ||
| MF | Jackie Graham | 31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | ||
| MF | Stewart Houston | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 1 | ||
| MF | Dave Metchick | 33 (1) | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 34 (1) | 3 | |||
| MF | Alan Nelmes | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| MF | Barry Salvage | 37 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 5 | ||
| FW | Roy Cotton | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | ||
| FW | Roger Cross | 39 (2) | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 (2) | 17 | ||
| FW | Kevin Harding | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| FW | Richard Poole | 5 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 (1) | 1 | ||
| FW | Dave Simmons | 12 | 4 | — | — | 12 | 4 | ||||
| FW | Stan Webb | 13 (2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 (2) | 3 | ||
| FW | Andy Woon | 24 (3) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 25 (4) | 7 | ||
| Players loaned in during the season | |||||||||||
| GK | Steve Sherwood | 16 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 | ||||
| DF | Michael Brown | 3 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
| MF | Hughie Reed | 3 (1) | 0 | — | — | 3 (1) | 0 | ||||
| Pos. | Nat | Player | FL4 | FAC | FLC | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW | Roger Cross | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 | ||
| FW | Andy Woon | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | ||
| MF | Barry Salvage | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||
| FW | Dave Simmons | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||
| MF | Dave Metchick | 3 | 0 | — | 3 | ||
| DF | Michael Allen | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||
| FW | Stan Webb | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | ||
| DF | Gordon Riddick | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | ||
| MF | Jackie Graham | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| MF | John Docherty | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| MF | Stewart Houston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| FW | Richard Poole | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| DF | Terry Scales | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| Total | 48 | 1 | 1 | 50 | |||
| Games played | 48 (46 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) | |
| Games won | 12 (12 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup) | |
| Games drawn | 16 (16 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup) | |
| Games lost | 20 (18 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) | |
| Goals scored | 50 (48 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) | |
| Goals conceded | 54 (50 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup) | |
| Clean sheets | 13 (13 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup) | |
| Biggest league win | 5–1 versus Barnsley, 29 September 1973 | |
| Worst league defeat | 3–0 on three occasions; 4–1 versus Scunthorpe United, 27 October 1973 | |
| Most appearances | 43, Roger Cross (41 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) | |
| Top scorer (league) | 17, Roger Cross | |
| Top scorer (all competitions) | 17, Roger Cross |
| Players transferred in | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Pos. | Name | Previous Club | Fee | Ref. | |
| June 1973 | GK | Gary Towse | Crystal Palace | Free | [11] | |
| September 1973 | MF | Dave Metchick |  Atlanta Apollos | Trial | ||
| October 1973 | DF | Gordon Riddick | Northampton Town | £4,000 | ||
| March 1974 | DF | Jimmy Gabriel | Bournemouth | Free | ||
| March 1974 | FW | Dave Simmons | Cambridge United | £12,000 | ||
| Players loaned in | ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | From | Date to | Ref. | |
| September 1973 | DF | Michael Brown | Brighton & Hove Albion | October 1973 | ||
| October 1973 | MF | Hughie Reed | Plymouth Argyle | November 1973 | ||
| January 1974 | GK | Steve Sherwood | Chelsea | End of season | ||
| Players transferred out | ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | Subsequent club | Fee | Ref. | |
| December 1973 | MF | Stewart Houston | Manchester United | £55,000 | ||
| 1973 | MF | David Jenkins | Hereford United | Free | ||
| Players loaned out | ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | To | Date to | Ref. | |
| December 1973 | DF | Paul Bence | Hillingdon Borough | December 1973 | ||
| February 1974 | DF | Alan Hawley | Hillingdon Borough | February 1974 | ||
| February 1974 | DF | Alan Hawley | Aldershot | March 1974 | ||
| Players released | ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | Subsequent club | Join date | Ref. | |
| January 1974 | GK | Gary Towse | Jewish Guild | 1974 | ||
| May 1974 | FW | Roy Cotton | Orient | July 1974 | [12] | |
| May 1974 | MF | John Docherty | Queens Park Rangers | July 1974 | ||
| May 1974 | DF | Jimmy Gabriel | Seattle Sounders | 1974 | ||
| May 1974 | DF | Alan Hawley | Hillingdon Borough | 1974 | ||
| May 1974 | FW | Stan Webb | Darlington | July 1974 | ||