1981–82 Brentford F.C. season explained

Club:Brentford
Season:1981–82
Manager:Fred Callaghan
Chairman:
(until September 1981)
Martin Lange
(from September 1981)
Stadium:Griffin Park
League:Third Division
League Result:8th
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Second round
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:First round
League Topscorer:Bowen,
G. Johnson,
Roberts (8)
Season Topscorer:Bowen (10)
Highest Attendance:10,834
Lowest Attendance:4,124
Average Attendance:5,692
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Prevseason:1980–81
Nextseason:1982–83

During the 1981–82 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. After losing ground in January and February 1982, just one win from the final five matches of the season ended the Bees' hopes of promotion.

Season summary

Aside from the club record signing of £65,000 central defender Alan Whitehead, Brentford manager Fred Callaghan presided over a quiet 1981 off-season at Griffin Park.[1] Goalkeeper Paul Priddy returned to the club for a third spell on a part-time contract as cover for David McKellar, but the club went into the season understaffed in the striking department, having lost Gary Johnson to injury in a car crash and a suitable replacement could not be found in time. Bids for midfielders John Beck, Jeff Chandler, forward David Kemp and former Brentford player Andrew McCulloch had failed to yield any transfers.

Despite going unbeaten in the first four Third Division matches of the season, a bad run of results in September and October 1981 dropped the club to just above the relegation places.[2] Manager Callaghan acted swiftly in the transfer market, signing midfielders Stan Bowles, Chris Kamara and finally bolstering the forward line with the acquisition of Keith Bowen. The upturn in form was immediate and seven wins and one draw from a 10-match spell lifted the Bees from 18th place on 17 October to 4th on 28 December. The run included five consecutive away league wins, which equalled the club record.[3]

Brentford began 1982 with a run in which the team took just two points from a possible 24, which dropped the club back into mid-table. Former player Gordon Sweetzer briefly returned to Griffin Park in January, but scored just one goal in 9 appearances before returning to his native Canada. The team recovered in March and things further improved after forward David Kemp was finally signed on loan in March, but he succumbed to injury after just three appearances. A 2–1 win over Chester on 24 April put the Bees in 7th position, four points behind 3rd-place Lincoln City with five matches to play.[4] Brentford's outside chances of promotion were killed off in the following match versus Wimbledon at Griffin Park, losing 3–2, having been leading 2–0. The Bees finished the season in 8th position.

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

WinDrawLoss

Pre-season and friendlies

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
5 August 1981WembleyA5–0n/aCrown, Walker, Booker, Rowe, B. Bowen
8 August 1981Hillingdon BoroughA2–0n/aBooker, Roberts
11 August 1981WokingA3–0n/aTonge (2), Roberts
15 August 1981Cambridge UnitedH5–01,195Crown (3), Whitehead, Booker
18 August 1981Brighton & Hove AlbionH1–3n/aBooker
12 October 1981San Jose EarthquakesH8–23,970Roberts (3), K. Bowen (3), G. Johnson, Booker
10 May 1982WatfordH1–22,098Roberts

Football League Third Division

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
129 August 1981FulhamA2–17,632Tucker (pen), Brown (og)
25 September 1981WalsallH0–05,353
312 September 1981PortsmouthA2–210,364Crown, Booker
419 September 1981Plymouth ArgyleH0–04,943
521 September 1981GillinghamH0–15,425
626 September 1981Doncaster RoversA0–15,494
729 September 1981Newport CountyA1–04,040Tucker
83 October 1981Carlisle UnitedH1–24,587G. Johnson
910 October 1981Exeter CityA1–33,589Crown
1017 October 1981Lincoln CityH3–14,187Booker, Whitehead, Tucker
1119 October 1981Southend UnitedH0–15,043
1224 October 1981ChesterfieldA2–05,525K. Bowen, Roberts
1331 October 1981BurnleyH0–06,929
143 November 1981Swindon TownA3–06,649G. Johnson, K. Bowen, Kamara
157 November 1981Bristol CityH0–16,758
1614 November 1981Oxford UnitedA2–15,693G. Johnson (2)
1728 November 1981ChesterH1–05,201McNichol
185 December 1981Preston North EndA3–14,171K. Bowen (2), G. Johnson
1928 December 1981MillwallA1–07,474Roberts
202 January 1982Huddersfield TownH0–15,438
2119 January 1982WalsallA0–33,853
2223 January 1982FulhamH0–110,834
2327 January 1982ReadingA1–43,710Sweetzer
2430 January 1982Plymouth ArgyleA0–15,008
256 February 1982PortsmouthH2–25,947Tucker (pen), Bowles
269 February 1982GillinghamA1–13,931Bowles
2713 February 1982Carlisle UnitedA0–14,942
2820 February 1982Newport CountyH2–04,297Roberts, Kamara
2927 February 1982Exeter CityH2–04,934Whitehead, K. Bowen
306 March 1982Lincoln CityA0–12,880
318 March 1982Southend UnitedA1–14,058Kemp
3213 March 1982ChesterfieldH2–05,374Roberts, Kamara
3320 March 1982BurnleyA0–07,906
3422 March 1982Bristol RoversH1–05,840Bowles (pen)
3527 March 1982Bristol CityA1–06,243K. Bowen
363 April 1982Oxford UnitedH1–25,786Booker
379 April 1982MillwallH4–17,460G. Johnson, Booker, McNichol, Roberts
3812 April 1982WimbledonA2–14,513Hurlock, Roberts
3917 April 1982Preston North EndH0–05,627
4019 April 1982Swindon TownH4–25,374Hurlock, K. Bowen, Bowles, McNichol
4124 April 1982ChesterA2–11,484Kamara, G. Johnson
4226 April 1982WimbledonH2–36,612Bowles, G. Johnson
431 May 1982Doncaster RoversH2–24,124K. Bowen, Whitehead
443 May 1982Bristol RoversA2–14,314Roberts, Kamara
458 May 1982Huddersfield TownA1–14,542Bowles (pen)
4615 May 1982ReadingH1–24,502Roberts

FA Cup

See main article: 1981–82 FA Cup.

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
1R21 November 1981Exeter CityH2–06,416K. Bowen (2)
2R16 December 1981Colchester UnitedH1–15,448Roberts
2R (replay)30 December 1981Colchester UnitedA0–15,532

Football League Cup

See main article: 1981–82 Football League Cup.

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance
1R (1st leg)2 September 1981Oxford UnitedA0–13,621
1R (2nd leg)15 September 1981Oxford UnitedH0–2 (lost 3–0 on aggregate)5,490

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1981–82 season.

Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotes
Goalkeepers
GKDavid McKellarAugust 29, 1981Derby County1980
GKPaul PriddyAugust 29, 1981Hayes1981
Defenders
DFMark HillAugust 29, 1981Queens Park Rangers1980
DFRobbie JohnsonAugust 29, 1981Arsenal1981
DFJim McNicholAugust 29, 1981Luton Town1978
DFTerry RoweAugust 29, 1981Youth1982
DFDanis SalmanAugust 29, 1981Youth1975
DFTony SpencerAugust 29, 1981Youth1982
DFBarry TuckerAugust 29, 1981Northampton Town1978
DFAlan WhiteheadAugust 29, 1981Bury1981
Midfielders
MFStan BowlesAugust 29, 1981Orient1981
MFRon HarrisAugust 29, 1981Chelsea1980Assistant manager
MFTerry HurlockAugust 29, 1981Leytonstone/Ilford1980
MFChris Kamara (c)August 29, 1981Portsmouth1981
MFGary RobertsAugust 29, 1981Wembley1980
MFPaul ShrubbAugust 29, 1981Hellenic1977
MFKeith TongeAugust 29, 1981Youth1982
MFPaul WalkerAugust 29, 1981Youth1976
Forwards
FWBob BookerAugust 29, 1981Bedmond Sports & Social1978
FWKeith BowenAugust 29, 1981Northampton Town1981
FWGary JohnsonAugust 29, 1981Chelsea1980
Players who left the club mid-season
DFPat KruseAugust 29, 1981Torquay United1977Loaned to Northampton Town, released
MFDavid CrownAugust 29, 1981Walthamstow Avenue1980Transferred to Portsmouth
FWDavid KempAugust 29, 1981Plymouth Argyle1982Returned to Plymouth Argyle after loan
FWGordon SweetzerAugust 29, 1981Toronto Blizzard1982Released

Coaching staff

NameRole
Fred CallaghanManager
Ron HarrisAssistant manager
Eddie LyonsPhysiotherapist

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Substitute appearances in brackets.

PosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GKDavid McKellar4503020500
GKPaul Priddy10000010
DFMark Hill17 (1)0002019 (1)0
DFRobbie Johnson10000010
DFPat Kruse10000010
DFJim McNichol2633000293
DFTerry Rowe1000000100
DFDanis Salman4002020440
DFTony Spencer30——30
DFBarry Tucker3843020434
DFAlan Whitehead42 (1)3302047 (1)3
MFStan Bowles31620—336
MFDavid Crown7 (1)2—209 (1)2
MFRon Harris19 (1)0102022 (1)0
MFTerry Hurlock4023020452
MFChris Kamara31530—345
MFGary Roberts39 (1)8212043 (1)9
MFPaul Shrubb40001050
MFKeith Tonge0 (1)000000 (1)0
MFPaul Walker7 (2)000108 (2)0
FWBob Booker27 (11)4202031 (11)4
FWKeith Bowen37 (1)832—40 (1)10
FWGary Johnson29 (1)8300032 (1)8
FWGordon Sweetzer8 (1)1——8 (1)1
Players loaned in during the season
FWDavid Kemp31——31

Goalscorers

Pos.NatPlayerFL3FACFLCTotal
FWKeith Bowen82—10
MFGary Roberts8109
FWGary Johnson8008
MFStan Bowles60—6
MFChris Kamara50—5
FWBob Booker4004
DFBarry Tucker4004
DFJim McNichol3003
DFAlan Whitehead3003
MFDavid Crown2—02
MFTerry Hurlock2002
FWDavid Kemp1——1
FWGordon Sweetzer1——1
Opponents1001
Total563059

Summary

Games played 51 (46 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games won 20 (19 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games drawn 12 (11 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games lost 19 (16 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Goals scored 59 (56 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Goals conceded 52 (47 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Clean sheets 16 (15 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Biggest league win 3–0 versus Swindon Town, 3 November 1981; 4–1 versus Millwall, 9 April 1982
Worst league defeat 3–0 versus Walsall, 19 January 1982; 4–1 versus Reading, 27 January 1982
Most appearances 50, David McKellar (45 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Top scorer (league) 8, Keith Bowen, Gary Johnson, Gary Roberts
Top scorer (all competitions) 10, Keith Bowen

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
DatePos.NamePrevious ClubFeeRef.
August 1981GK Paul Priddy Hayesn/a
August 1981DF Alan Whitehead Bury£65,000[11]
September 1981FW Keith Bowen Northampton Townn/a
October 1981MF Stan Bowles Orient£25,000
October 1981MF Chris Kamara PortsmouthExchange
1981MF Keith Tongen/an/a
January 1982FW Gordon Sweetzer Toronto BlizzardTrial
March 1982DF Tony Spencern/an/a
Players loaned in
Date fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.
March 1982FW David Kemp Plymouth ArgyleMarch 1982
Players transferred out
DatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.
September 1981FW Tony Funnell Bournemouth£5,000
October 1981MF David Crown PortsmouthExchange
Players loaned out
Date fromPos.NameToDate toRef.
February 1982DF Pat Kruse Northampton TownApril 1982
Players released
DatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.
March 1982FW Gordon Sweetzer Edmonton Drillers1982
April 1982DF Pat Kruse Barnet1982
May 1982DF Mark Hill Wycombe Wanderers1982
May 1982DF Robbie Johnson Hayes1982
May 1982GK Paul PriddyRetired
May 1982MF Paul Shrubb AldershotAugust 1982
May 1982DF Kevin Teern/an/a

Awards

Notes and References

  1. White, p. 316-317.
  2. Web site: Brentford results for the 1981–1982 season . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170217223740/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1981-1982/results . 17 February 2017 . 16 February 2017 . Statto.com . en-GB.
  3. 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 . 17 February 2017 . Statto.com . en-GB.
  4. Web site: English Division Three (old) 1981–1982 Table . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091219055834/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-three-old/1981-1982/table/1982-04-24 . 19 December 2009 . 31 August 2017 . Statto.com.
  5. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 396.
  6. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 48-59.
  7. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 390-391.
  8. Book: Croxford, Mark . The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties . Lane . David . Waterman . Greville . Legends Publishing . 2011 . 978-1906796716 . Sunbury, Middlesex.
  9. Book: Haynes, Graham . Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 . Coumbe . Frank . Yore Publications . 2006 . 978-0955294914.
  10. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 423.
  11. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 60-65.
  12. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 383.

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