| Club: | Brentford |
| Season: | 1984–85 |
| Manager: | Frank McLintock |
| Chairman: | Martin Lange |
| Stadium: | Griffin Park |
| League: | Third Division |
| League Result: | 13th |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Third round |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Second round |
| Cup3: | Football League Trophy |
| Cup3 Result: | Runners-up |
| League Topscorer: | Cassells, Cooke (12) |
| Season Topscorer: | Cassells, G. Roberts (18) |
| Highest Attendance: | 8,214 |
| Lowest Attendance: | 2,003 |
| Average Attendance: | 4,074 |
| Pattern La1: | _brentford_home_84-85 |
| Pattern B1: | _brentford_home_84-85new |
| Pattern Ra1: | _brentford_home_84-85 |
| Pattern Sh1: | _red stripes |
| Pattern So1: | _brentford_home_84-85 |
| Shorts1: | 000000 |
| Socks1: | 000000 |
| Pattern La2: | _brentford_away_84-85 |
| Pattern B2: | _brentford_away_84-85 |
| Pattern Ra2: | _brentford_away_84-85 |
| Pattern Sh2: | _dark blue stripes |
| Pattern So2: | _brentford_away_84-85 |
| Shorts2: | FFFFFF |
| Prevseason: | 1983–84 |
| Nextseason: | 1985–86 |
During the 1984–85 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The season is best remembered for the club's first appearance in a Football League Trophy final, which was lost 3–1 to Wigan Athletic.
Frank McLintock prepared for his first full season as Brentford manager by trimming his squad, releasing goalkeeper Paddy Roche, defenders Jim McNichol, Ian Bolton, Graham Wilkins and forward Tony Mahoney.[1] His only significant signings were left back Jamie Murray from Cambridge United for £27,500 and centre back Steve Wignall from Colchester United for a £18,000 fee.
Manager McLintock presided over a season of transition in the Third Division, treading water in mid-table through to the end of 1984 and then dropping further in the early months of 1985.[2] The goals of £20,000 signing Robbie Cooke allayed any fears that the club would be sucked into a relegation battle for the second successive season. The Bees repeated the previous season's feats in the League Cup and FA Cup, reaching the second and third rounds respectively. McLintock gave teenage defenders Keith Millen and Roger Joseph their debuts late in the season and both of whom would go on to become key players for the club. Brentford finished in 13th place in the Third Division.[3]
Brentford's 1984–85 season is chiefly remembered for the club's run to the final of the Football League Trophy. The competition had been established in the 1982–83 season as the Football League Group Cup, but by 1984–85 the tournament had gained prestige, with sponsorship from Freight Rover and Wembley Stadium was announced as the venue for the final. The Bees won six matches in a row to reach the final, scoring 17 goals and conceding just three. The final was reached after an emphatic 6–0 Southern Area Final win over Newport County at Griffin Park, in which winger Gary Roberts scored four goals in a four-minute spell either side of half-time. The final versus Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium on 1 June 1985 was Brentford's first appearance at the ground since the 1942 London War Cup final.[4] A disappointing defensive performance led to a 3–1 defeat, with Robbie Cooke scoring what proved to be the consolation goal.
Two club records were set or equalled during the season:
Brentford's goal tally listed first.
| Win | Draw | Loss |
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 August 1984 | Wembley | A | 1–1 | n/a | Hurlock | |
| 4 August 1984 | West Ham United | H | 1–0 | 2,109 | Cassells | |
| 7 August 1984 | Baldock Town | A | 1–2 | n/a | Myers | |
| 11 August 1984 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 0–3 | 3,612 | ||
| 15 August 1984 | Chelsea | H | 0–3 | 2,775 | ||
| 20 August 1984 | Luton Town | H | 0–2 | 893 |
| No. | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 August 1984 | Orient | H | 0–1 | 4,171 | ||
| 2 | 1 September 1984 | Walsall | A | 1–0 | 4,747 | Booker | |
| 3 | 8 September 1984 | Wigan Athletic | H | 2–0 | 3,724 | Cassells, Salman | |
| 4 | 18 September 1984 | Rotherham United | A | 1–1 | 3,644 | Hurlock | |
| 5 | 22 September 1984 | Swansea City | H | 3–0 | 4,298 | Hurlock, Cassells (2) | |
| 6 | 29 September 1984 | Cambridge United | A | 2–1 | 2,580 | Kamara, Cassells | |
| 7 | 2 October 1984 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 1–1 | 4,901 | Harle (og) | |
| 8 | 6 October 1984 | Bradford City | H | 0–1 | 4,196 | ||
| 9 | 13 October 1984 | Millwall | A | 0–2 | 5,385 | ||
| 10 | 20 October 1984 | Gillingham | H | 5–2 | 4,053 | G. Roberts (3), Alexander, Cassells | |
| 11 | 23 October 1984 | Burnley | A | 1–3 | 2,916 | Malley (og) | |
| 12 | 27 October 1984 | York City | H | 2–1 | 4,261 | Salman, G. Roberts | |
| 13 | 3 November 1984 | Bristol City | A | 1–1 | 7,674 | Kamara | |
| 14 | 7 November 1984 | Derby County | A | 0–1 | 10,530 | ||
| 15 | 10 November 1984 | Lincoln City | H | 2–2 | 4,115 | Cassells, Booker | |
| 16 | 24 November 1984 | Bournemouth | A | 0–1 | 4,113 | ||
| 17 | 27 November 1984 | Newport County | A | 0–2 | 1,589 | ||
| 18 | 1 December 1984 | Bolton Wanderers | H | 2–1 | 3,668 | Cassells, Kamara | |
| 19 | 15 December 1984 | Preston North End | A | 1–1 | 2,818 | G. Roberts | |
| 20 | 22 December 1984 | Hull City | A | 0–4 | 6,354 | ||
| 21 | 26 December 1984 | Bristol Rovers | H | 0–3 | 5,254 | ||
| 22 | 29 December 1984 | Reading | H | 2–1 | 5,161 | Booker, Richardson (og) | |
| 23 | 1 January 1985 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 1–1 | 6,926 | Alexander | |
| 24 | 19 January 1985 | Wigan Athletic | A | 1–1 | 3,358 | Cooke | |
| 25 | 26 January 1985 | Newport County | H | 2–5 | 3,962 | Kamara (pen), Cooke | |
| 26 | 2 February 1985 | Cambridge United | H | 2–0 | 3,254 | Cooke, Torrance | |
| 27 | 9 February 1985 | Swansea City | A | 2–3 | 4,440 | Kamara, Cooke | |
| 28 | 16 February 1985 | Doncaster Rovers | A | 2–2 | 3,129 | Cooke, Salman | |
| 29 | 23 February 1985 | Bristol City | H | 1–2 | 4,526 | Booker | |
| 30 | 2 March 1985 | York City | A | 0–1 | 4,288 | ||
| 31 | 5 March 1985 | Burnley | H | 2–1 | 3,267 | Cooke, Butler | |
| 32 | 9 March 1985 | Gillingham | A | 0–2 | 5,799 | ||
| 33 | 23 March 1985 | Bradford City | A | 4–5 | 6,038 | Cooke (3), Booker | |
| 34 | 27 March 1985 | Walsall | H | 3–1 | 3,021 | G. Roberts, Hurlock, Cooke | |
| 35 | 30 March 1985 | Derby County | H | 1–1 | 4,423 | G. Roberts | |
| 36 | 6 April 1985 | Bristol Rovers | A | 0–3 | 4,419 | ||
| 37 | 8 April 1985 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 3–1 | 4,043 | Cassells (2, 1 pen), G. Roberts | |
| 38 | 13 April 1985 | Lincoln City | A | 1–1 | 1,980 | Cooke | |
| 39 | 16 April 1985 | Orient | A | 1–0 | 3,164 | Booker | |
| 40 | 20 April 1985 | Bournemouth | H | 0–0 | 3,559 | ||
| 41 | 23 April 1985 | Rotherham United | H | 3–0 | 3,019 | G. Roberts (2), Cassells | |
| 42 | 27 April 1985 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 1–1 | 4,230 | Kamara | |
| 43 | 4 May 1985 | Preston North End | H | 3–1 | 3,476 | Booker, G. Roberts, Cooke | |
| 44 | 6 May 1985 | Reading | A | 0–0 | 3,898 | ||
| 45 | 11 May 1985 | Hull City | H | 2–1 | 4,309 | Skipper (og), Cassells (pen) | |
| 46 | 19 May 1985 | Millwall | H | 1–1 | 5,050 | Cassells |
See main article: 1984–85 FA Cup.
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1R | 17 November 1984 | Bishop's Stortford | H | 4–0 | 3,948 | Alexander (2), Cassells (2) | |
| 2R | 8 December 1984 | Northampton Town | H | 2–2 | 4,449 | Alexander, Cassells (pen) | |
| 2R (replay) | 17 December 1984 | Northampton Town | A | 2–0 | 3,610 | Hurlock, Cassells | |
| 3R | 5 January 1985 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–2 | 4,163 | Kamara |
See main article: 1984–85 Football League Cup.
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1R (1st leg) | 28 August 1984 | Cambridge United | H | 2–0 | 3,037 | G. Roberts (2) | |
| 1R (2nd leg) | 4 September 1984 | Cambridge United | A | 0–1 (won 2–1 on aggregate) | 2,347 | ||
| 2R (1st leg) | 26 September 1984 | Leicester City | A | 2–4 | 7,638 | Alexander, Kamara | |
| 2R (2nd leg) | 9 October 1984 | Leicester City | H | 0–2 (lost 6–2 on aggregate) | 6,291 |
See main article: 1984–85 Football League Trophy.
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR1 (1st leg) | 6 February 1985 | Reading | A | 3–1 | 2,500 | Torrance (2), P. Roberts | ||
| SR1 (2nd leg) | 26 February 1985 | Reading | H | 2–0 (won 5–1 on aggregate) | 2,011 | Wignall, G. Roberts | ||
| SR2 | 19 March 1985 | Cambridge United | H | 1–0 | 2,003 | Cooke | ||
| SQF | 11 April 1985 | Swansea City | A | 2–0 | 1,653 | Booker (2) | ||
| SSF | 30 April 1985 | Bournemouth | A | 3–2 | 4,657 | Cooke (2), Kamara | ||
| SF | 17 May 1985 | Newport County | H | 6–0 | 8,214 | Cassells (2, 1 pen), G. Roberts (4) | ||
| F | 1 June 1985 | Wigan Athletic | N | 1–3 | 39,897 | Cooke | [7] |
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1984–85 season.
| Pos. | Name | Nat. | Date of birth (age) | Signed from | Signed in | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||||||
| GK | Gary Phillips | August 25, 1984 | Barnet | 1984 | |||
| GK | Trevor Swinburne | August 25, 1984 | Carlisle United | 1983 | |||
| Defenders | |||||||
| DF | Bobby Fisher | August 25, 1984 | Cambridge United | 1984 | |||
| DF | Roger Joseph | August 25, 1984 | Southall | 1984 | |||
| DF | Keith Millen | August 25, 1984 | Youth | 1985 | |||
| DF | Jamie Murray | August 25, 1984 | Cambridge United | 1984 | |||
| DF | Paul Roberts | August 25, 1984 | Millwall | 1983 | |||
| DF | Danis Salman | August 25, 1984 | Youth | 1975 | |||
| DF | Steve Wignall | August 25, 1984 | Colchester United | 1984 | |||
| Midfielders | |||||||
| MF | Bob Booker | August 25, 1984 | Bedmond Sports & Social | 1978 | |||
| MF | Terry Bullivant | August 25, 1984 | Charlton Athletic | 1983 | |||
| MF | Terry Hurlock (c) | August 25, 1984 | Leytonstone/Ilford | 1980 | |||
| MF | Chris Kamara | August 25, 1984 | Portsmouth | 1981 | |||
| MF | Tony Lynch | August 25, 1984 | Youth | 1983 | |||
| MF | Gary Roberts | August 25, 1984 | Wembley | 1980 | |||
| MF | George Torrance | August 25, 1984 | Wokingham Town | 1984 | |||
| Forwards | |||||||
| FW | Rowan Alexander | August 25, 1984 | St Mirren | 1984 | |||
| FW | Steve Butler | August 25, 1984 | Windsor & Eton | 1984 | |||
| FW | Keith Cassells | August 25, 1984 | Southampton | 1983 | |||
| FW | Robbie Cooke | August 25, 1984 | Cambridge United | 1984 | Loaned from Cambridge United before transferring permanently | ||
| FW | Francis Joseph | August 25, 1984 | Wimbledon | 1982 | |||
| Players who left the club mid-season | |||||||
| GK | Richard Key | August 25, 1984 | Orient | 1984 | Released | ||
| MF | Tommy Finney | August 25, 1984 | Cambridge United | 1984 | Released | ||
| MF | Terry Rowe | August 25, 1984 | Youth | 1982 | Released | ||
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Frank McLintock | Manager | |
| John Docherty | Assistant Manager | |
| Ron Woolnough | Physiotherapist | |
| Ted Davies | Chief Scout |
Substitute appearances in brackets.
| Pos | Nat | Name | League | FA Cup | League Cup | FL Trophy | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| GK | Richard Key | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
| GK | Gary Phillips | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
| GK | Trevor Swinburne | 24 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | ||
| DF | Bobby Fisher | 27 (1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 36 (1) | 0 | ||
| DF | Roger Joseph | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| DF | Keith Millen | 16 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 21 (1) | 0 | ||
| DF | Jamie Murray | 46 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 61 | 0 | ||
| DF | Paul Roberts | 27 (1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 (1) | 1 | 35 (2) | 1 | ||
| DF | Danis Salman | 43 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 58 | 3 | ||
| DF | Steve Wignall | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 47 | 1 | ||
| MF | Bob Booker | 35 (3) | 7 | 2 (1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 45 (4) | 9 | ||
| MF | Terry Bullivant | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 (2) | 0 | 8 (2) | 0 | ||
| MF | Tommy Finney | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| MF | Terry Hurlock | 40 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 54 | 4 | ||
| MF | Chris Kamara | 38 (1) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 52 (1) | 9 | ||
| MF | Tony Lynch | 5 (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 (6) | 0 | ||
| MF | Gary Roberts | 39 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 (1) | 5 | 52 (1) | 18 | ||
| MF | Terry Rowe | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| MF | George Torrance | 11 (2) | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 (2) | 2 | 13 (4) | 3 | |||
| FW | Rowan Alexander | 17 (2) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 22 (3) | 6 | ||
| FW | Steve Butler | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |||
| FW | Keith Cassells | 38 (2) | 12 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 49 (2) | 18 | ||
| FW | Robbie Cooke | 24 | 12 | — | — | 7 | 4 | 31 | 16 | ||||
| FW | Francis Joseph | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Pos. | Nat | Player | FL3 | FAC | FLC | FLT | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW | Keith Cassells | 12 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 | ||
| MF | Gary Roberts | 11 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 18 | ||
| FW | Robbie Cooke | 12 | — | — | 4 | 16 | ||
| MF | Bob Booker | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | ||
| MF | Chris Kamara | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | ||
| FW | Rowan Alexander | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | ||
| MF | Terry Hurlock | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| DF | Danis Salman | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| MF | George Torrance | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 3 | ||
| FW | Steve Butler | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 | ||
| DF | Paul Roberts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| DF | Steve Wignall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Opponents | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||
| Total | 62 | 9 | 4 | 18 | 93 | |||
| Games played | 61 (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy) | |
| Games won | 25 (16 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 6 Football League Trophy) | |
| Games drawn | 15 (14 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy) | |
| Games lost | 21 (16 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy) | |
| Goals scored | 93 (62 Third Division, 9 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 18 Football League Trophy) | |
| Goals conceded | 81 (64 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 7 League Cup, 6 Football League Trophy) | |
| Clean sheets | 15 (8 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 4 Football League Trophy) | |
| Biggest league win | 3–0 on two occasions; 5–2 versus Gillingham, 20 October 1984 | |
| Worst league defeat | 4–0 versus Hull City, 22 December 1984 | |
| Most appearances | 61, Jamie Murray (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy) | |
| Top scorer (league) | 12, Keith Cassells, Robbie Cooke | |
| Top scorer (all competitions) | 18, Keith Cassells, Gary Roberts |
| Players transferred in | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Pos. | Name | Previous Club | Fee | Ref. | |
| July 1984 | DF | Jamie Murray | Cambridge United | £27,500 | ||
| August 1984 | DF | Roger Joseph | Southall | Trial | ||
| August 1984 | GK | Richard Key | Orient | n/a | ||
| August 1984 | DF | Steve Wignall | Colchester United | £18,000 | [13] | |
| September 1984 | GK | Rowan Alexander | St Mirren | £25,000 | ||
| December 1984 | FW | Steve Butler | Windsor & Eton | n/a | ||
| December 1984 | GK | Gary Phillips | Barnet | £4,000 | ||
| December 1984 | MF | George Torrance | Wokingham Town | n/a | ||
| March 1985 | FW | Robbie Cooke | Cambridge United | £20,000 | ||
| April 1985 | DF | Jamie Bates | Crystal Palace | n/a | ||
| Players loaned in | ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | From | Date to | Ref. | |
| January 1985 | FW | Robbie Cooke | Cambridge United | March 1985 | ||
| Players loaned out | ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | To | Date to | Ref. | |
| December 1984 | DF | Tony Spencer | Aldershot | March 1985 | ||
| Players released | ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | Subsequent club | Join date | Ref. | |
| July 1984 | DF | Ian Bolton | Barnet | July 1984 | [14] | |
| September 1984 | GK | Richard Key | Sunderland | October 1984 | ||
| October 1984 | DF | Terry Rowe |  Wichita Wings | 1984 | ||
| December 1984 | MF | Tommy Finney | Cambridge United | December 1984 | ||
| April 1985 | DF | Tony Spencer | Retired | |||
| May 1985 | MF | Terry Bullivant | Retired | |||
| May 1985 | DF | Paul Roberts | n/a | |||
| May 1985 | GK | Trevor Swinburne | Leeds United | June 1985 | ||