1957–58 Brentford F.C. season

Brentford
1957–58 season
Chairman Frank Davis
Manager Malky MacDonald
Stadium Griffin Park
Third Division South 2nd
FA Cup First round
Top goalscorer League: Towers (29)
All: Towers (29)
Highest home attendance 25,744
Lowest home attendance 9,130
Average home league attendance 13,084

During the 1957–58 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. The Bees finished as runners-up to Brighton & Hove Albion and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Second Division.

Season summary

After the departure of Bill Dodgin Sr, Brentford recruited Kilmarnock manager Malky MacDonald for their vacant managerial position in May 1957.[1] MacDonald was no stranger to Griffin Park, having spent just under three years as a player-coach with the Bees between 1946 and 1949.[1] First on MacDonald's list of priorities was to ensure that Brentford finished in the top half of the Third Division South table, to avoid becoming founder members of the new Fourth Division in the following season.[1] Ageing and injury-ravaged players Sid Tickridge, Wally Bragg and Frank Dudley were released, while Jeff Taylor, the club's second-leading scorer in each of the previous two seasons, elected to retire and pursue a career in opera.[1] MacDonald brought in former Brentford player Fred Monk as trainer and made just one signing of note, full back Tom Wilson from Fulham, whom he named captain.[1] Ken Horne, Ian Dargie and Johnny Rainford, three players who had seen their playing time reduced under previous manager Dodgin, would become regulars again under MacDonald during the season.[2]

After a mixed start to the season, an unbeaten run of six wins in eight matches in October and November elevated Brentford to 2nd place on 23 November 1957.[3] The run included a new club record of most consecutive clean sheets (9).[4] Forwards Jim Towers and George Francis were again in prolific form, having scored 24 of the Bees' 37 league goals at that point of the season.[2] Brentford failed to win another match in the league or FA Cup in 1957, but began 1958 strongly, beating Norwich City 7–1 at Griffin Park.[3] For the remainder of the season, Brentford clawed their way back to the higher reaches of the Third Division South table, winning six matches in a row in March and early April to move up to 4th.[3] A 1–0 defeat to Torquay United on 7 April put Brentford four points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Bees having played one game more.[1] The damage of draws in the following two matches (versus Southampton and a showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion) was lessened by fellow challengers Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town and Reading all dropping points.[1]

The Bees, spurred on by six goals from Jim Towers, won their final three matches of the season versus Reading, Port Vale and leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.[3] The victory over Brighton put Brentford top on 58 points, ahead of Plymouth Argyle and Brighton on goal average, but Brighton could still win the title by virtue of their game in hand, which would come versus Watford two days later, whom they had beaten 1–0 at Vicarage Road two days before their match at Griffin Park.[5] Brighton emphatically beat Watford 6–0 in their final match to win promotion to the Second Division, but the manner of their victories over Watford raised concern and the referee of the first meeting between the sides wrote to the Football League outlining his suspicions.[1] It wasn't until October 1960 that former Brighton & Hove Albion wing half Glen Wilson revealed to the Daily Mail that some of the Watford players had agreed to "lie down" in exchange for money.[1]

League table

Pos Team Pld Home Away F A GA GD Pts
W D L F A W D L F A
1Brighton & Hove Albion46136452301166363488641.375+2460
2Brentford 4615535224959303282561.464+2658
3Plymouth Argyle 46174243178411243167481.396+1958
4Swindon Town 4614724716788323479501.580+2957
5Reading 4614545223788272879511.549+2855
6Southampton 461634783167103441112721.556+4054
7Southend United 4614545626779343290581.552+3254
8Norwich City 4611934128869344275701.071+553
9Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 46165254245414275081741.095+751
10Queens Park Rangers 46156240143812245164650.985–150
11Newport County 46126540245810334373671.090+448
12Colchester United 46135545274811325277790.975–247
13Northampton Town 46131960336512274687791.101+844
14Crystal Palace 46125646303812244270720.972–243
15Port Vale 46126549244415183467581.155+942
16Watford 4698634274811255059770.766–2842
17Shrewsbury Town 46106729255414204649710.690–2240
18Aldershot 4679731345711285559890.663–3040
19Coventry City 46109441243416205761810.753–2039
20Walsall 46107637244217245161750.813–1437
21Torquay United 4697733342615164049740.662–2535
22Gillingham 46125633241418195752810.642–2935
23Millwall 46661137365315265563910.692–2831
24Exeter City 46104937351517206457990.576–4231

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Key
Division Champions, promoted
New club in the league (none)
Moved to 4th Division
Re-elected, moved to 4th Division
Failed re-election (none)

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South

No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 24 August 1957Queens Park Rangers A0–1 15,734
2 27 August 1957Exeter CityH1–0 12,307Simpson (og)
3 31 August 1957Colchester UnitedH3–3 12,732Newcombe, Towers (2)
4 4 September 1957Exeter CityA5–3 8,498Towers (2), Francis, Parsons (2)
5 7 September 1957Norwich CityA2–3 19,150Francis (2)
6 10 September 1957Northampton Town H7–1 10,697Parsons, Rainford (2), Towers (2), Francis (2)
7 14 September 1957Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH4–2 13,733Francis (3), Newcombe
8 16 September 1957Northampton TownA1–3 4,528Francis
9 21 September 1957WalsallA2–0 10,775Towers (2)
10 24 September 1957WatfordA1–4 7,031Towers
11 28 September 1957Coventry City H1–3 12,094Caven
12 1 October 1957WatfordH0–0 10,447
13 5 October 1957Shrewsbury TownA2–0 7,057Francis, Heath
14 12 October 1957GillinghamH1–0 12,488Towers
15 19 October 1957MillwallA1–0 16,293Rainford
16 26 October 1957Swindon TownH0–0 13,676
17 2 November 1957AldershotA2–0 7,133Francis (2)
18 9 November 1957Plymouth ArgyleH2–0 15,594Newcombe, Francis
19 23 November 1957Newport CountyH2–1 13,603Rainford, Towers
20 30 November 1957Southampton A2–4 13,690Towers, Francis
21 14 December 1957Southend UnitedA0–0 7,952
22 21 December 1957Queens Park RangersH1–1 12,804Rutter (og)
23 25 December 1957Crystal Palace H0–3 12,394
24 26 December 1957Crystal Palace A1–2 16,797Coote
25 28 December 1957Colchester UnitedA1–1 9,548Francis
26 11 January 1958Norwich CityH7–1 11,850Francis (2), Rainford (2), Parsons, Coote, Newcombe
27 18 January 1958Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–1 11,090
28 1 February 1958Walsall H2–1 9,130Rainford, Parsons (pen)
29 8 February 1958Coventry CityA0–0 9,391
30 15 February 1958Shrewsbury TownH2–0 12,842Francis, Parsons
31 22 February 1958GillinghamA2–3 6,626Parsons, Towers
32 1 March 1958MillwallH4–1 12,919Towers (3), Francis
33 8 March 1958Swindon TownA1–4 12,755Francis
34 11 March 1958ReadingH2–1 13,230Towers (2)
35 15 March 1958AldershotH4–2 10,482Heath (2), Towers (2)
36 22 March 1958Newport County A2–1 5,621Heath, Rainford
37 24 March 1958 Port Vale A 1–0 5,149 Towers
38 29 March 1958Southend UnitedH4–2 12,890Towers (2), Francis (2)
39 4 April 1958 Torquay United A 1–0 8,216 Towers
40 5 April 1958Plymouth ArgyleA0–0 20,021
41 7 April 1958Torquay United H0–1 15,680
42 12 April 1958SouthamptonH0–0 11,663
43 19 April 1958 Brighton & Hove Albion A 1–1 25,613 Heath
44 23 April 1958ReadingA2–1 12,852Towers (2)
45 26 April 1958Port ValeH4–1 11,923Towers (3), Rainford
46 28 April 1958 Brighton & Hove Albion H 1–0 25,744 Goundry

FA Cup

Main article: 1957–58 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance
1R16 November 1957Millwall A0–1 20,097

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1957–58 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread England 1 April 1936 (aged 21) Youth 1954
GK Sonny Feehan Republic of Ireland 17 September 1926 (aged 30) Northampton Town 1954
Defenders
DF Alan Bassham England 3 October 1933 (aged 23) Youth 1953
DF Ken Horne England 25 June 1926 (aged 31) Blackpool 1950
DF Sid Russell England 4 October 1937 (aged 19) Jolly X 1956
DF Tom Wilson (c) England 3 July 1930 (aged 27) Fulham 1957
Midfielders
HB George Bristow England 25 June 1933 (aged 24) Youth 1950
HB Ken Coote England 19 May 1928 (aged 29) Wembley 1949
HB Ian Dargie England 3 October 1931 (aged 25) Tonbridge 1952
HB Ron Peplow England 4 May 1935 (aged 22) Southall 1955
Forwards
FW Billy Bloomfield England 25 August 1939 (aged 17) Youth 1956
FW John Caven Scotland 6 July 1934 (aged 23) Kilmarnock 1957
FW Christy Fletcher Republic of Ireland 14 June 1933 (aged 24) Cheltenham Town 1957
FW George Francis England 4 February 1934 (aged 23) Youth 1955
FW Billy Goundry England 28 March 1934 (aged 23) Huddersfield Town 1955
FW Dennis Heath England 28 September 1934 (aged 22) Youth 1954
FW Len Newcombe Wales 28 February 1931 (aged 26) Fulham 1956
FW Eric Parsons England 9 November 1923 (aged 33) Chelsea 1956
FW Johnny Rainford England 11 December 1930 (aged 26) Cardiff City 1953
FW Jim Towers England 15 April 1933 (aged 24) Youth 1954
Players who left the club mid-season
HB Wendell Morgan Wales 22 April 1935 (aged 22) Cardiff City 1954 Transferred to Gillingham

Coaching staff

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

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Gerry Cakebread 45 0 1 0 46 0
GK Republic of Ireland Sonny Feehan 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Alan Bassham 2 0 0 0 2 0
DF England Ken Horne 37 0 1 0 38 0
DF England Sid Russell 15 0 0 0 15 0
DF England Tom Wilson 27 0 0 0 27 0
HB England George Bristow 41 0 1 0 42 0
HB England Ken Coote 45 2 1 0 46 2
HB England Ian Dargie 46 0 1 0 47 0
HB Wales Wendell Morgan 5 0 5 0
HB England Ron Peplow 12 0 1 0 13 0
FW England Billy Bloomfield 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW Scotland John Caven 6 1 0 0 6 1
FW Republic of Ireland Christy Fletcher 3 0 0 0 3 0
FW EnglandGeorge Francis 45221 04622
FW England Billy Goundry 12 1 1 0 13 1
FW England Dennis Heath 15 5 0 0 15 5
FW Wales Len Newcombe 37 4 1 0 38 4
FW England Eric Parsons 30 7 1 0 31 7
FW England Johnny Rainford 45 9 1 0 46 9
FW England Jim Towers 36 29 0 0 36 29

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW England Jim Towers 29 0 29
FW England George Francis 22 0 22
FW England Johnny Rainford 9 0 9
FW England Eric Parsons 7 0 7
FW England Dennis Heath 5 0 5
FW Wales Len Newcombe 4 0 4
HB England Ken Coote 2 0 2
FW Scotland John Caven 1 0 1
FW England Billy Goundry 1 0 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total82082

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Malky MacDonald Scotland 24 August 1957 28 April 1958 47 24 10 13 51.06 46 24 10 12 52.17

Summary

Games played 47 (46 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games won 24 (24 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn 10 (10 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost 13 (12 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored 82 (82 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded 57 (56 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets 18 (18 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win 7–1 on two occasions
Worst league defeat 3–0 versus Crystal Palace, 25 December 1957; 4–1 on two occasions
Most appearances 47, Ian Dargie (46 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league) 29, Jim Towers
Top scorer (all competitions) 29, Jim Towers

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
July 1957 GK England Reg Newton England Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [7]
July 1957 FB England Tom Wilson England Fulham n/a [8]
September 1957 FW England Terry Curran England Tottenham Hotspur n/a [9]
October 1957 FW Scotland John Caven Scotland Kilmarnock n/a [10]
December 1957 FW Republic of Ireland Christy Fletcher England Cheltenham Town n/a [11]
1957 FW England Paddy Walsh England Hayes Amateur [12]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
June 1957 HB England Terry Robinson England Northampton Town Amateur [13]
September 1957 HB Wales Wendell Morgan England Gillingham n/a [14]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1958 FB England Alan Bassham England Folkestone Town n/a [15]
May 1958 GK England Reg Newton England Yiewsley n/a [7]
1958 FW England Paddy Walsh England Southall 1957 [12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 White 1989, p. 225-228.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 384. ISBN 0951526200.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1957-1958 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  4. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 30. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  5. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Table on Monday 28th April 1958 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  6. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920-2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  7. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 116.
  8. "Barry Hugman's Footballers - Tommy Wilson". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  9. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 44.
  10. "Barry Hugman's Footballers - John Caven". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  11. "Barry Hugman's Footballers - Chris Fletcher". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  12. 1 2 "Hayes & Yeading United FC: The Official Website". www.hyufc.com. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  13. "Barry Hugman's Footballers - Terry Robinson". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  14. "Barry Hugman's Footballers - Chris Fletcher". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  15. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 16.
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