Wikipedia

1969–70 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1969–70 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. Despite staying in the promotion places throughout much of the campaign, three-late season defeats cost the Bees promotion to the Third Division.

Brentford
1969–70 season
ChairmanWalter Wheatley
ManagerJimmy Sirrel
(until 10 November 1969)
Ron Fenton
(10 November 1969 – December 1969)
Frank Blunstone
(from December 1969)
StadiumGriffin Park
Fourth Division5th
FA CupFirst round
League CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: Ross (13)
All: Ross (13)
Highest home attendance12,261
Lowest home attendance4,383
Average home league attendance7,773

Season summary

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There was the perception around Griffin Park during the 1969 off-season that after the financial austerity of the previous two-and-a-half years, the extreme cost-cutting measures enacted by former chairman Ron Blindell had reduced Brentford's target to merely staying in business, rather than challenging for promotion to the Third Division.[1] Former director Walter Wheatley's loans to the club had taken its debts down to a manageable proportion, but after being installed as chairman (Blindell had died in January 1969), Wheatley carried on the austerity into the 1969–70 season.[1] Manager Jimmy Sirrel once again had his hands tied in the transfer market, releasing experienced campaigners Denis Hunt, Pat Terry and Ron Foster and bringing in three attackers, two on free transfers (Bill Brown and Micky Cook) and one on trial (Roger Frude).[1]

From the point of view of manpower, Brentford began the season in the worst possible way, with just 14 fit players.[1] Despite the early-season transfer of the versatile John Richardson to rivals Fulham for £10,000, Brentford had an excellent start to the season,[1] with goals from Allan Mansley, Bobby Ross and Micky Cook helping the club stabilise its position in the promotion places.[2] The number of fit players dropped to 13 by October 1969, with the lack of a recognised centre forward being the problem.[1] On 10 November, manager Jimmy Sirrel dropped the bombshell that he was leaving the club to take up the manager's position at Notts County.[1] Forward Ron Fenton took over as caretaker manager and though the Bees exited the FA Cup in the first round (quickly ending any chances of a money-spinning cup run), Fenton managed to keep the club in and around the promotion places before Frank Blunstone was installed as manager just prior to Christmas 1969.[1]

Despite an inconsistent first month under new manager Frank Blunstone, Brentford continued to keep pace with the promotion race.[2] Blunstone was able to expand the squad slightly, with midfielders Brian Turner and Brian Tawse signing on a permanent basis and forward Alan Cocks coming in on loan to replace departed loanee Gerry Baker.[1] Ever-present goalkeeper Chic Brodie had his best season so far at Griffin Park and kept 20 clean sheets.[3] The Bees moved as high as 2nd position in late January and early February 1970 and manager Blunstone went for broke, finally signing a recognised centre forward (Roger Cross from West Ham United for £10,000) and bringing winger John Docherty back for a third spell with the club.[1] Three defeats in four matches in late March and early April effectively ended the promotion charge,[2] with the three-point gap to 4th-place Port Vale proving to be insurmountable.[4]

Two records were set during the season, which as of 2023 have never been bettered:[5]

  • Least Football League goals conceded in a season: 39
  • Least home Football League goals conceded in a season: 11

League table

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Main article: 1969–70 Football League Fourth Division

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
3 Swansea City 46 21 18 7 66 45 1.467 60 Promoted
4 Port Vale 46 20 19 7 61 33 1.848 59
5 Brentford 46 20 16 10 58 39 1.487 56
6 Aldershot 46 20 13 13 78 65 1.200 53 Qualified for 1970 Watney Cup[a]
7 Notts County 46 22 8 16 73 62 1.177 52
Source: rsssf.com
Notes:
  1. ^ The two teams who scored the most goals in each division, and did not qualify for Europe and were not promoted, qualified for the Watney Cup.

Results

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Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

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Win Draw Loss

Football League Fourth Division

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No. Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1 9 August 1969 Hartlepool A 0–0 3,020
2 16 August 1969 Notts County H 1–0 6,364 Mansley (2)
3 23 August 1969 Crewe Alexandra A 2–1 3,051 Renwick, Cook
4 27 August 1969 Chester A 2–1 4,426 Dobson, Ross
5 30 August 1969 Darlington H 1–1 7,442 Dobson
6 6 September 1969 Newport County A 0–1 3,219
7 13 September 1969 Swansea City H 2–2 7,139 Mansley, Ross (pen)
8 15 September 1969 Southend United H 3–1 7,446 Mansley, Neilson, Fenton
9 20 September 1969 Bradford Park Avenue A 1–0 2,887 Ross
10 27 September 1969 Wrexham H 0–0 8,610
11 29 September 1969 Lincoln City H 2–1 8,210 Gelson, Cook
12 4 October 1969 Workington A 2–1 1,882 Mansley, Ross
13 8 October 1969 Notts County A 0–1 4,664
14 11 October 1969 Scunthorpe United H 3–0 7,493 Cook, Mansley (2)
15 18 October 1969 Oldham Athletic H 1–1 8,674 Cook
16 25 October 1969 Chesterfield A 0–1 11,212
17 1 November 1969 Peterborough United H 5–2 8,650 Baker, Wile (og), Ross, Higginson, Fenton
18 8 November 1969 Exeter City A 2–2 4,897 Renwick (2)
19 22 November 1969 Northampton Town A 1–1 5,315 Dobson
20 24 November 1969 Grimsby Town H 3–0 7,647 Baker, Ross, Mansley
21 13 December 1969 Swansea City A 0–1 7,423
22 20 December 1969 Newport County H 1–0 4,383 Ross
23 26 December 1969 Crewe Alexandra H 1–1 9,307 Ross
24 27 December 1969 Darlington A 2–1 2,507 Fenton, Ross
25 3 January 1970 Lincoln City A 0–1 4,991
26 10 January 1970 Bradford Park Avenue H 1–1 5,847 Fenton
27 17 January 1970 Wrexham A 0–1 8,451
28 24 January 1970 Port Vale H 1–0 8,661 Boulton (og)
29 31 January 1970 Workington H 1–0 7,756 Dobson
30 10 February 1970 Scunthorpe United A 1–1 5,316 Gelson
31 21 February 1970 Chesterfield H 0–1 10,540
32 23 February 1970 Hartlepool H 3–0 7,352 Gelson, Turner, Hawley
33 28 February 1970 Peterborough United A 0–0 7,512
34 7 March 1970 Northampton Town H 1–0 7,292 Cocks
35 9 March 1970 York City H 0–0 8,124
36 14 March 1970 Colchester United A 1–1 4,878 Ross
37 16 March 1970 Port Vale A 0–0 7,947
38 21 March 1970 Aldershot H 0–0 12,261
39 27 March 1970 Exeter City H 2–0 10,110 Cross, Ross (pen)
40 28 March 1970 York City A 2–4 2,496 Docherty, Neilson
41 31 March 1970 Oldham Athletic A 1–4 5,078 Cocks
42 4 April 1970 Chester H 2–0 4,750 Gelson, Docherty
43 7 April 1970 Grimsby Town A 1–2 3,582 Cross
44 13 April 1970 Southend United A 2–2 6,433 Neilson, Ross
45 18 April 1970 Colchester United H 2–0 4,720 Renwick, Docherty
46 24 April 1970 Aldershot A 2–1 7,492 Cross (2)

FA Cup

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Main article: 1969–70 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance
1R 15 November 1969 Plymouth Argyle H 0–0 9,963
1R (replay) 19 November 1969 Plymouth Argyle A 0–2 11,554

Football League Cup

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Main article: 1969–70 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
1R 12 August 1969 Southend United A 2–2 9,256 Mansley (2)
1R (replay) 18 August 1969 Southend United H 0–0 (a.e.t.) 7,941
1R (2nd replay) 21 August 1969 Southend United N 2–3 (a.e.t.) 2,068 Mansley, Gelson [nb 1]

Playing squad

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Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1969–70 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Chic Brodie   (1937-02-22)22 February 1937 (aged 32) Northampton Town 1963
Defenders
DF Peter Gelson   (1941-10-18)18 October 1941 (aged 27) Youth 1961
DF Alan Hawley   (1946-06-07)7 June 1946 (aged 23) Youth 1962
DF Tommy Higginson   (1937-01-06)6 January 1937 (aged 32) Kilmarnock 1959
DF Allan Jones   (1940-01-06)6 January 1940 (aged 29) Liverpool 1963
DF Alan Nelmes   (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 20) Chelsea 1967
DF Dick Renwick   (1942-11-27)27 November 1942 (aged 26) Aldershot 1969
Midfielders
MF George Dobson   (1949-08-24)24 August 1949 (aged 19) Youth 1966
MF John Docherty   (1940-04-29)29 April 1940 (aged 29) Reading 1970
MF Allan Mansley   (1946-08-31)31 August 1946 (aged 22) Blackpool 1968
MF Gordon Neilson   (1947-05-28)28 May 1947 (aged 22) Arsenal 1968
MF Bobby Ross   (1942-05-10)10 May 1942 (aged 27) Shrewsbury Town 1966
MF Brian Tawse   (1945-07-30)30 July 1945 (aged 24) Brighton & Hove Albion 1970
MF Brian Turner   (1949-07-31)31 July 1949 (aged 20) Portsmouth 1970
Forwards
FW Micky Cook   (1950-01-25)25 January 1950 (aged 19) Crystal Palace 1969
FW Roger Cross   (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 20) West Ham United 1970
FW Ron Fenton (c)   (1940-09-21)21 September 1940 (aged 28) Birmingham City 1968 Assistant manager
Players who left the club mid-season
FW Gerry Baker   (1938-04-11)11 April 1938 (aged 31) Coventry City 1969 Returned to Coventry City after loan
FW Bill Brown   (1943-02-07)7 February 1943 (aged 26) Portsmouth 1969 Released
FW Alan Cocks   (1951-05-07)7 May 1951 (aged 18) Chelsea 1969 Returned to Chelsea after loan
FW Roger Frude   (1946-11-19)19 November 1946 (aged 22) Mansfield Town 1969 Released
FW David Harney   (1947-03-02)2 March 1947 (aged 22) Scunthorpe United 1969 Released
FW John Richardson   (1949-02-05)5 February 1949 (aged 20) Millwall 1966 Transferred to Fulham
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[3] Timeless Bees[6]

Coaching staff

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Jimmy Sirrel (10 August – 10 November 1969)

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Name Role
  Jimmy Sirrel Manager
  Ron Fenton Assistant Manager
  Eddie Lyons Physiotherapist

Ron Fenton (10 November – December 1969)

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Name Role
  Ron Fenton Caretaker Manager
  Eddie Lyons Physiotherapist

Frank Blunstone (December 1969 – 24 April 1970)

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Name Role
  Frank Blunstone Manager
  Ron Fenton Assistant Manager
  Eddie Lyons Physiotherapist

Statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Substitute appearances in brackets.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK   Chic Brodie 46 0 2 0 3 0 51 0
DF   Peter Gelson 43 4 2 0 3 1 48 5
DF   Alan Hawley 46 1 1 0 3 0 50 1
DF   Tommy Higginson 39 (1) 1 2 0 3 0 44 (1) 0
DF   Allan Jones 9 (3) 0 1 0 0 0 10 (3) 0
DF   Alan Nelmes 45 0 2 0 3 0 50 0
DF   Dick Renwick 39 4 2 0 3 0 44 4
MF   George Dobson 15 (5) 4 0 (1) 0 1 (1) 0 16 (7) 4
MF   John Docherty 11 3 — — 11 3
MF   Allan Mansley 26 6 2 0 3 3 31 9
MF   Gordon Neilson 33 (1) 3 2 0 3 0 38 (1) 3
MF   Bobby Ross 46 13 2 0 3 0 51 13
MF   Brian Tawse 13 0 — — 13 0
MF   Brian Turner 14 (2) 1 — — 14 (2) 1
FW   Bill Brown 4 0 — — 4 0
FW   Micky Cook 17 (3) 4 2 0 3 0 22 (3) 4
FW   Roger Cross 11 4 — — 11 4
FW   Ron Fenton 29 (2) 4 2 0 0 0 31 (2) 4
FW   Roger Frude 1 (1) 0 — 1 (1) 0 2 (2) 0
FW   David Harney 0 (1) 0 — — 0 (1) 0
FW   John Richardson 2 0 — 2 0 4 0
Players loaned in during the season
FW   Gerry Baker 8 2 — — 8 2
FW   Alan Cocks 11 2 — — 11 2
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[3]

Goalscorers

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Pos. Nat Player FL4 FAC FLC Total
MF   Bobby Ross 13 0 0 13
MF   Allan Mansley 6 0 3 9
DF   Peter Gelson 4 0 1 5
FW   Roger Cross 4 — — 4
FW   Micky Cook 4 0 0 4
MF   George Dobson 4 0 0 4
FW   Ron Fenton 4 0 0 4
DF   Dick Renwick 4 0 0 4
MF   John Docherty 3 — — 3
MF   Gordon Neilson 3 0 0 3
FW   Gerry Baker 2 — — 2
FW   Alan Cocks 2 — — 2
MF   Brian Turner 1 — — 1
DF   Alan Hawley 1 0 0 1
Opponents 2 0 0 2
Total 58 0 4 62
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[3]

Management

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Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
P W D L W % P W D L W %
Jimmy Sirrel   9 August 1969 8 November 1969 21 9 8 4 042.86 18 9 6 3 050.00
Ron Fenton (caretaker)   15 November 1969 20 December 1969 6 2 2 2 033.33 4 2 1 1 050.00
Frank Blunstone   26 December 1969 24 April 1970 24 9 9 6 037.50 24 9 9 6 037.50

Summary

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Games played 51 (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Games won 20 (20 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games drawn 19 (16 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games lost 12 (10 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored 62 (58 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Goals conceded 46 (39 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 5 League Cup)
Clean sheets 20 (18 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Biggest league win 3–0 on three occasions; 5–2 versus Peterborough United, 1 November 1969
Worst league defeat 4–1 versus Oldham Athletic, 31 March 1970
Most appearances 51, Chic Brodie, Bobby Ross (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Top scorer (league) 13, Bobby Ross
Top scorer (all competitions) 13, Bobby Ross

Transfers & loans

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Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
July 1969 FW   Bill Brown   Portsmouth Free [7]
July 1969 FW   Roger Frude   Mansfield Town Trial [8]
August 1969 FW   Micky Cook   Crystal Palace Free [9]
October 1969 FW   Brian Caterer   Leatherhead Amateur [10]
October 1969 FW   David Harney   Scunthorpe United Trial [11]
1969 MF   Alan Gane   Slough Town n/a [12]
January 1970 MF   Brian Turner   Portsmouth n/a [13]
February 1970 MF   Brian Tawse   Brighton & Hove Albion n/a [14]
March 1970 FW   Roger Cross   Crystal Palace £10,000 [15]
March 1970 MF   John Docherty   Reading n/a [16]
Players loaned in
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
October 1969 FW   Gerry Baker   Coventry City January 1970 [17]
29 January 1970 FW   Alan Cocks   Chelsea March 1970 [18]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
August 1969 FW   John Richardson   Fulham £10,000 [18]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
August 1969 FW   Roger Frude   Falmouth Town 3 October 1969 [8]
October 1969 FW   Bill Brown   Margate 1969 [7]
October 1969 FW   Brian Caterer   Leatherhead October 1969 [10]
October 1969 FW   David Harney   Wimbledon 1969 [11]
April 1970 FW   Micky Cook   Folkestone 1970 [9]
April 1970 MF   George Dobson   Guildford City 1970 [19]
April 1970 FW   Ron Fenton Retired [20]
April 1970 DF   Tommy Higginson   Hillingdon Borough 1970 [21]
April 1970 DF   Allan Jones   Croatia 1970 [22]

Notes

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  1. ^ Match played at The Den, London.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j White 1989, p. 274-276.
  2. ^ a b c "Brentford results for the 1969–1970 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 390. ISBN 0951526200.
  4. ^ "Brentford League Table 1969-1970". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  5. ^ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. pp. 78–79. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  6. ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  7. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 29.
  8. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 61.
  9. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 39.
  10. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 35.
  11. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 72.
  12. ^ White 1989, p. 391.
  13. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 163.
  14. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 158.
  15. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 42-43.
  16. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 49.
  17. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 15.
  18. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 134.
  19. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 48.
  20. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 55.
  21. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 76.
  22. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 88-89.
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