Wikipedia

1958–59 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1958–59 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. Despite 32 goals from Jim Towers and 22 from George Francis, a number of defeats to low-placed clubs early in the season prevented the Bees from finishing higher than 3rd, one place away from promotion.

Brentford
1958–59 season
ChairmanFrank Davis
ManagerMalky MacDonald
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division3rd
FA CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague: Towers (32)
All: Towers (37)
Highest home attendance28,725
Lowest home attendance9,432
Average home league attendance13,924

Season summary

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After narrowly missing out on promotion in 1957–58, Brentford entered the 1958–59 Third Division season full of confidence.[1] Despite making a profit of £6,789 on the previous season (equivalent to £200,300 in 2024), manager Malky MacDonald decided not to add to his squad and instead planned for the future by bringing in a number of Scottish youngsters.[1][2] Brentford began the season with a resounding 4–0 victory over Bradford City, hitting top spot, but dropped back after three consecutive defeats.[3] By the time the Bees drew 1–1 with Chesterfield on 4 October 1958, the team's inconsistency could be clearly pointed to a lack of support for forwards Jim Towers and George Francis, who had scored 13 of the team's 17 goals by that point of the season.[1] In response, manager MacDonald paid £6,000 for Luton Town's outside left George McLeod.[1] After defeats to Stockport County and Reading in late October, the team recovered and began to perform on a consistent basis.[3]

Brentford had a morale-boosting run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, eliminating Exeter City, King's Lynn and Barnsley on the way to a 2–0 defeat to First Division club West Bromwich Albion in front of 41,440 at The Hawthorns.[3] A 6–0 win over Southampton at The Dell on 9 March 1959 (which set a new club record for biggest away Football League win) established the Bees as promotion contenders.[4] Three victories and two draws from the following five matches (which included a win and a draw versus leaders Plymouth Argyle) saw Brentford increase their grip on 3rd place in the table,[3] though at a cost to season-ending injuries to Ian Dargie and Len Newcombe.[1] Defeats in crucial matches versus fellow promotion challengers Norwich City and Hull City in early April effectively ended the Bees' promotion charge and all hope of promotion mathematically ended with two matches left to play.[3][5] Brentford finished the season in 3rd place.[3]

Jim Towers' 37 goals scored in all competitions during the season was just two goals shy of Jack Holliday's club record of 39, set in the Third Division South in 1932–33.[1] Towers' strike partner George Francis also finished amongst the top scorers in the Third Division, with 22 goals and 24 in all competitions.[6] Brentford finished the 1958–59 season with the best defensive record in the Third Division, conceding only 49 goals and also conceding the fewest away goals (27).[5] A new club record for most league away draws (10) was set during the season and the club record for fewest goalscorers in a season was equalled.[7][8] The 20 players used in all competitions was the lowest since the end of the Second World War and three players finishing the season as ever-presents in all 50 matches was another post-war record.[9]

League table

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Main article: 1958–59 Football League Third Division

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Plymouth Argyle 46 23 16 7 89 59 1.508 62 Division Champions, promoted
2 Hull City 46 26 9 11 90 55 1.636 61 Promoted
3 Brentford 46 21 15 10 76 49 1.551 57
4 Norwich City 46 22 13 11 89 62 1.435 57
5 Colchester United 46 21 10 15 71 67 1.060 52
Source: [citation needed]

Results

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Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

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Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division

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No. Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1 25 August 1958 Bradford City H 4–0 15,749 Towers (2), Francis (2)
2 28 August 1958 Doncaster Rovers A 0–1 10,654
3 30 August 1958 Wrexham A 1–2 16,905 Towers
4 2 September 1958 Doncaster Rovers H 0–1 14,845
5 6 September 1958 Southampton H 2–0 12,997 Francis, Towers
6 9 September 1958 Mansfield Town H 2–0 13,625 Towers (2)
7 12 September 1958 Accrington Stanley A 1–1 9,918 Rainford
8 15 September 1958 Mansfield Town A 1–1 9,159 Towers
9 20 September 1958 Halifax Town H 2–0 12,643 Francis, Heath
10 22 September 1958 Hull City A 1–3 14,172 Heath
11 27 September 1958 Newport County A 1–0 8,220 Francis
12 30 September 1958 Hull City H 1–1 12,441 Towers
13 4 October 1958 Chesterfield H 1–1 12,473 Heath
14 9 October 1958 Notts County A 0–0 4,381
15 11 October 1958 Tranmere Rovers A 2–1 12,325 Towers, Rainford
16 18 October 1958 Stockport County H 1–4 12,488 Towers
17 25 October 1958 Reading A 1–3 16,186 Towers
18 1 November 1958 Colchester United H 2–1 11,945 Towers, Heath
19 8 November 1958 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A 0–0 11,564
20 22 November 1958 Queens Park Rangers A 2–1 13,784 Drinkwater (og), Towers
21 29 November 1958 Bury H 0–0 11,741
22 13 December 1958 Rochdale H 2–1 9,432 Towers, Dargie
23 20 December 1958 Bradford City A 0–3 11,473
24 25 December 1958 Swindon Town H 2–2 12,504 McLeod, Francis
25 26 December 1958 Swindon Town A 1–1 12,690 Francis
26 3 January 1959 Wrexham H 2–1 11,723 Francis (2)
27 31 January 1959 Accrington Stanley H 2–1 11,260 Francis, Towers
28 7 February 1959 Halifax Town A 0–0 4,654
29 14 February 1959 Newport County H 3–0 10,392 McLeod, Bristow, Towers
30 21 February 1959 Chesterfield A 2–1 9,649 Francis, Towers (pen)
31 28 February 1959 Tranmere Rovers H 5–2 13,138 Towers (2), Francis, Rainford (2)
32 7 March 1959 Stockport County A 1–1 7,973 Towers (pen)
33 9 March 1959 Southampton A 6–0 7,756 McLeod, Towers (4), Francis
34 14 March 1959 Reading H 3–1 18,209 Francis (2), Rainford
35 21 March 1959 Colchester United A 4–0 8,775 Francis (2), McLeod, Towers
36 27 March 1959 Plymouth Argyle H 3–0 28,725 Towers, Rainford, Francis
37 28 March 1959 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic H 1–1 15,970 McLeod
38 30 March 1959 Plymouth Argyle A 1–1 27,073 Parsons
39 4 April 1959 Norwich City A 1–4 27,870 Francis
40 8 April 1959 Southend United A 0–2 9,022
41 11 April 1959 Queens Park Rangers H 1–0 15,905 Rainford
42 18 April 1959 Bury A 1–1 7,092 Towers
43 21 April 1959 Notts County H 4–0 11,738 Francis, Towers (3, 2 pens)
44 25 April 1959 Southend United H 6–1 11,264 Rainford, Francis (2), Towers (2), Williamson (og)
45 27 April 1959 Rochdale A 0–0 2,191
46 30 April 1959 Norwich City H 0–4 19,035

FA Cup

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Main article: 1958–59 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
1R 15 November 1958 Exeter City H 3–2 14,600 Towers, Francis, Rainford [nb 1]
2R 6 December 1958 King's Lynn H 3–1 14,100 Towers (3)
3R 10 January 1959 Barnsley H 2–0 16,890 Towers, Francis
4R 24 January 1959 West Bromwich Albion A 0–2 41,440

Playing squad

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Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1958–59 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread   (1936-04-01)1 April 1936 (aged 22) Youth 1954
GK Sonny Feehan   (1926-09-17)17 September 1926 (aged 31) Northampton Town 1954
Defenders
DF Ken Horne   (1926-06-25)25 June 1926 (aged 32) Blackpool 1950
DF Tom Wilson (c)   (1930-07-03)3 July 1930 (aged 28) Fulham 1957
Midfielders
HB George Bristow   (1933-06-25)25 June 1933 (aged 25) Youth 1950
HB Ken Coote   (1928-05-19)19 May 1928 (aged 30) Wembley 1949
HB Ian Dargie   (1931-10-03)3 October 1931 (aged 26) Tonbridge 1952
HB Billy Goundry   (1934-03-28)28 March 1934 (aged 24) Huddersfield Town 1955
HB Ron Peplow   (1935-05-04)4 May 1935 (aged 23) Southall 1955
HB Sid Russell   (1937-10-04)4 October 1937 (aged 20) Jolly X 1956
Forwards
FW John Caven   (1934-07-06)6 July 1934 (aged 24) Kilmarnock 1957
FW George Francis   (1934-02-04)4 February 1934 (aged 24) Youth 1955
FW Johnny Hales   (1940-05-15)15 May 1940 (aged 18) St Roch's 1958
FW Dennis Heath   (1934-09-28)28 September 1934 (aged 23) Youth 1954
FW Billy Horn   (1938-05-13)13 May 1938 (aged 20) Kilmarnock 1958 Amateur
FW George McLeod   (1932-11-30)30 November 1932 (aged 25) Luton Town 1958
FW Len Newcombe   (1931-02-28)28 February 1931 (aged 27) Fulham 1956
FW Eric Parsons   (1923-11-09)9 November 1923 (aged 34) Chelsea 1956
FW Johnny Rainford   (1930-12-11)11 December 1930 (aged 27) Cardiff City 1953
FW Jim Towers   (1933-04-15)15 April 1933 (aged 25) Youth 1954
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[6] Timeless Bees[10]

Coaching staff

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Name Role
  Malky MacDonald Manager
  Fred Monk Trainer
  Jack Holliday Assistant Trainer

Statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK   Gerry Cakebread 45 0 4 0 49 0
GK   Sonny Feehan 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF   Ken Horne 45 0 3 0 48 0
DF   Tom Wilson 46 0 4 0 50 0
HB   George Bristow 37 1 4 0 41 1
HB   Ken Coote 44 0 4 0 48 0
HB   Ian Dargie 37 1 4 0 41 1
HB   Billy Goundry 12 0 1 0 13 0
HB   Ron Peplow 7 0 0 0 7 0
HB   Sid Russell 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW   John Caven 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW   George Francis 45 22 4 2 49 24
FW   Johnny Hales 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW   Dennis Heath 25 4 4 0 29 4
FW   Billy Horn 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW   George McLeod 29 5 4 0 33 5
FW   Len Newcombe 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW   Eric Parsons 34 1 0 0 34 1
FW   Johnny Rainford 46 8 4 1 50 9
FW   Jim Towers 46 32 4 5 50 37
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[6]

Goalscorers

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Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW   Jim Towers 32 5 37
FW   George Francis 22 2 24
FW   Johnny Rainford 8 1 9
FW   George McLeod 5 0 5
FW   Dennis Heath 4 0 4
HB   George Bristow 1 0 1
HB   Ian Dargie 1 0 1
FW   Eric Parsons 1 0 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total 76 8 84
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[6]

Management

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Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
P W D L W % P W D L W %
Malky MacDonald   25 August 1958 30 April 1959 50 24 15 11 048.00 46 21 15 10 045.65

Summary

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Games played 50 (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup)
Games won 24 (21 Third Division, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn 15 (15 Third Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost 11 (10 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored 84 (76 Third Division, 8 FA Cup)
Goals conceded 54 (49 Third Division, 5 FA Cup)
Clean sheets 17 (16 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win 6–0 versus Southampton, 9 March 1959
Worst league defeat 4–0 versus Norwich City, 30 April 1959
Most appearances 50, Johnny Rainford, Tom Wilson (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league) 32, Jim Towers
Top scorer (all competitions) 37, Jim Towers

Transfers & loans

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Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
August 1958 HB   Jimmy Lafferty n/a n/a [11]
6 September 1958 HB   Charlie McInally   St Roch's n/a [2]
September 1958 FW   Johnny Hales   St Roch's n/a [12]
25 October 1958 FW   Billy Horn   Kilmarnock Amateur [2]
October 1958 FW   George McLeod   Luton Town £6,000 [13]
1958 DF   Peter Gelson n/a n/a [14]
10 January 1959 FW   George Summers   Shawfield n/a [15]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
December 1958 HB   Len Roe   Yiewsley n/a [16]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1959 DF   Alan Bassham   Folkestone Town 1959 [9]
May 1959 FW   John Caven n/a n/a [17]
May 1959 FW   Sonny Feehan   Headington United 1959 [18]
May 1959 FW   Christy Fletcher   Peterborough United 1959 [19]
May 1959 FW   Billy Horn   Kilmarnock 1959 [20]
May 1959 DF   George Lowden   Hounslow Town n/a [21]

Notes

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  1. ^ Both teams wore change colours.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f White 1989, p. 229-232.
  2. ^ a b c "1958". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Brentford results for the 1958–1959 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  4. ^ Haynes 1998, p. 17.
  5. ^ a b "Brentford Table on Saturday 25th April 1959". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 385. ISBN 0951526200.
  7. ^ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. pp. 78–79. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  8. ^ White 1989, p. 62.
  9. ^ a b "No promotion for Brentford but many records. Only 20 players in the league side". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 8 May 1959.
  10. ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  11. ^ "Scottish League appearance records – L". Scottish Football Historical Archive. p. 366. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Johnny Hales". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  13. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 107.
  14. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 63-64.
  15. ^ "1959". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  16. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 136-137.
  17. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 35.
  18. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 55.
  19. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 58.
  20. ^ "Billy Horn". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  21. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 98.
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