1991–92 Brentford F.C. season

Brentford
1991–92 season
Chairman Martin Lange
Manager Phil Holder
Stadium Griffin Park
Third Division 1st (promoted)
FA Cup Second round
League Cup Third round
Football League Trophy First round
Top goalscorer League: Holdsworth (24)
All: Holdsworth (38)
Highest home attendance 12,071
Lowest home attendance 4,586
Average home league attendance 7,156

During the 1991–92 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The club finished the season as champions to seal second-tier football for the first time since 1953–54. In 2013, it was voted as Brentford's best ever season by the club's supporters.[1]

Season summary

Dean Holdsworth's 38 goals during the season was one shy of Jack Holliday's club record.

After defeat to Tranmere Rovers in the 1991 Third Division play-offs, Brentford manager Phil Holder made just one addition to his squad prior to the beginning of the 1991–92 season - £60,000 defender Billy Manuel from Gillingham.[2] Two wins from the opening two league matches of the season put Brentford in the automatic promotion places, but three successive defeats dropped the club back to 16th by early September 1991.[3] Aided by on-fire forward Dean Holdsworth, the Bees won 13, drew three and lost three of the following 19 matches, losing just once in the league.[2] Having reached the top spot in the Third Division after a 4–0 victory over Wigan Athletic on 9 November, the club stayed at the summit until 8 February 1992, when a fifth defeat in 9 matches dropped the club back to third.[3]

Brentford vied with Birmingham City and Stoke City in the automatic promotion places between mid-February and mid-March, but four successive defeats and two draws dropped the Bees back to 4th.[3] Six wins in the final six matches of the season (which included a 4–0 victory over West London rivals Fulham at Griffin Park) saw Brentford claim the Third Division championship on the final day, after a Gary Blissett goal was enough to beat Peterborough United at London Road.[2] Dean Holdsworth's 24 league goals tied him with Huddersfield Town's Iwan Roberts as the top scorer in the Third Division and Holdsworth's total of 38 in all competitions saw him equal Jack Holliday's club record,[4] set during the 1932–33 season when Brentford were previously promoted out of the Third Division.[5][6]

League table

Pos Team Pld Home Away F A GD Pts Notes
W D L F A W D L F A
1Brentford 4617245529851026268155+2682
2 Birmingham City 461562422286927306952+1781
3 Huddersfield Town 461544361578823235938+2178
4 Stoke City 461454452479724256959+1077
5 Stockport County 4615534719751128327549+2676
6 Peterborough United 461373382077927386558+1374 [notes3 1]
7 West Bromwich Albion 461265452578819246449+1571
8 Bournemouth 461346331877919305248+471
9 Fulham 461175291686928375753+470
10 Leyton Orient 4612743618641326346252+1065
11 Hartlepool United 4612563021661127365757065
12 Reading 469863327751126355962−361
13 Bolton Wanderers 4610942619481131375756+159
14 Hull City 469410282377926315454059
15 Wigan Athletic 4611663321481125435864−659
16 Bradford City 468105363059926316261+158
17 Preston North End 4612744232351519406172−1157
18 Chester City 4610673429481122305659−356
19 Swansea City 4610943524451420415565−1056
20 Exeter City 4611753425341623555780−2353
21 Bury 468783131551324435574−1951
22 Shrewsbury Town 467793031541423375368−1547
23 Torquay United 4613372919051813494268−2647
24 Darlington 4655133139521625515690−3437
  1. Peterborough United won the play-offs and were promoted.
Key
Division Champions, promoted
Promoted
Participated in play-offs
Promoted through play-offs
Relegated

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division

No. DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
1 17 August 1991Leyton OrientH4–36,156Holdsworth (3), Evans
2 24 August 1991Exeter CityA2–13,518Gayle, Blissett
3 31 August 1991Huddersfield TownH2–35,459Jones, Godfrey
4 3 September 1991Hartlepool UnitedA0–13,660
5 7 September 1991Shrewsbury TownA0–13,139
6 14 September 1991Reading H1–05,775Cadette
7 17 September 1991Hull City H4–14,586Evans, Smilie, og, Holdsworth
8 21 September 1991Darlington A2–13,900Smilie, Holdsworth
9 28 September 1991Bolton WanderersH3–25,658Holdsworth (2), Gayle
10 5 October 1991Fulham A1–07,710Evans
11 12 October 1991Peterborough United H2–17,705Evans, Smilie
12 19 October 1991West Bromwich AlbionH1–28,575Gayle
13 26 October 1991BuryA3–02,280Holdsworth (2), Gayle
14 2 November 1991Bradford CityA1–05,359Smilie
15 6 November 1991Birmingham CityH2–28,798Smilie, Blissett
16 9 November 1991Wigan AthleticH4–06,675Blissett (2), Holdsworth (2)
17 22 November 1991BournemouthA0–04,764
18 30 November 1991Swansea CityH3–26,669Holdsworth, Ratcliffe, Blissett
19 14 December 1991Torquay UnitedA1–12,475Godfrey
20 22 December 1991Exeter CityH3–07,226Blissett (2), Gayle
21 26 December 1991Huddersfield Town A1–210,605Blissett (pen)
22 28 December 1991Leyton OrientA2–47,333Luscombe (2)
23 1 January 1992Hartlepool UnitedH1–07,102Holdsworth
24 4 January 1992Stockport CountyA1–24,421og
25 11 January 1992Stoke City H2–09,004Luscombe, Holdsworth
26 18 January 1992Chester City A1–11,447Booker
27 25 January 1992Preston North EndH1–07,559Evans
28 1 February 1992West Bromwich AlbionA0–215,984
29 8 February 1992BuryH0–36,789
30 11 February 1992Swansea CityA1–13,582Millen
31 15 February 1992Torquay UnitedH3–26,079Booker, Blissett, Bates
32 22 February 1992Stoke CityA1–216,417Blissett
33 29 February 1992Stockport CountyH2–17,484Smilie, Holdsworth
34 3 March 1992Chester CityH2–06,869Blissett, Holdsworth (pen)
35 7 March 1992Preston North EndA2–33,548Smilie, Buckle
36 10 March 1992Birmingham CityA0–113,290
37 14 March 1992Bradford CityH3–46,791Evans, Blissett, Holdsworth
38 20 March 1992Wigan Athletic A1–22,371Holdsworth
39 29 March 1992BournemouthH2–27,605Godfrey, Blissett
40 1 April 1992ReadingA0–05,660
41 4 April 1992Shrewsbury TownH2–05,561Holdsworth, Evans
42 11 April 1992Hull CityA3–03,770Holdsworth (2), Blissett
43 17 April 1992DarlingtonH4–18,383Holdsworth (2), Blissett, og
44 20 April 1992Bolton Wanderers A2–14,382Evans, og
45 26 April 1992FulhamH4–012,071Holdsworth, Gayle, Blissett, Ratcliffe
46 2 May 1992 Peterborough United A 1–0 14,539 Blissett

FA Cup

Main article: 1991–92 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance Scorer(s)
R1 18 November 1991 Gillingham H 3–3 5,830 Holdsworth (2), Blissett
R1 (replay)26 November 1991GillinghamA3–17,328Holdsworth (2), Sealy
R27 December 1991Bournemouth A1–26,538Bates

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance Scorer(s)
R1 (1st leg)20 August 1991Barnet A5–5 2,416Cadette (2), Godfrey, Holdsworth (2)
R1 (2nd leg) 27 August 1991 Barnet H 3–1 (won 8–6 on aggregate) 5,583 Holdsworth, Godfrey, Evans
R2 (1st leg) 24 September 1991 Brighton & Hove Albion H 4–1 4,927 Godfrey, Cadette, Holdsworth (2)
R2 (2nd leg) 9 October 1991 Brighton & Hove Albion A 2–4 (a.e.t, won 6–5 on aggregate) 4,502 Cadette, Holdsworth
R330 October 1991Norwich CityA1–47,394Manuel

Football League Trophy

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance Scorer(s)
PR22 October 1991AldershotA2–01,348Sealy (2)
PR17 December 1991BarnetH3–61,871Luscombe, Holdsworth (2)
SR1 21 January 1992 Leyton Orient A 2–3 1,861 Holdsworth (2)

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1991–92 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Ashley Bayes England 19 April 1972 (aged 19) Trainee 1990
GK Graham Benstead England 20 August 1963 (aged 27) Sheffield United 1990
Defenders
DF Jamie Bates England 24 February 1968 (aged 23) Trainee 1986
DF Terry Evans (c) England 12 April 1965 (aged 26) Hillingdon 1985
DF Chris Hughton Republic of Ireland 11 December 1958 (aged 32) West Ham United 1992 Coach
DF Billy Manuel England 28 June 1969 (aged 22) Gillingham 1991
DF Keith Millen England 26 September 1966 (aged 24) Crystal Palace 1983
DF Brian Statham England 21 May 1969 (aged 22) Tottenham Hotspur 1992 Loaned from Tottenham Hotspur before transferring permanently
Midfielders
MF Bob Booker England 25 January 1958 (aged 33) Sheffield United 1991
MF Paul Buckle England 16 December 1970 (aged 20) Trainee 1989
MF Andy Driscoll England 21 October 1971 (aged 19) West Ham United 1988 Loaned to Staines Town
MF Tony Finnigan England 17 October 1962 (aged 28) Swindon Town 1991
MF Kevin Godfrey England 24 February 1960 (aged 31) Leyton Orient 1988
MF Detzi Kruszyński Poland 14 October 1960 (aged 30) Wimbledon 1992 On loan from Wimbledon
MF Robbie Peters England 18 May 1971 (aged 20) Trainee 1989
MF Simon Ratcliffe England 8 February 1967 (aged 24) Norwich City 1989
MF Wilf Rostron England 29 September 1956 (aged 34) Sheffield United 1991 Assistant manager
MF Neil Smilie England 19 July 1958 (aged 33) Reading 1988
Forwards
FW Gary Blissett England 29 June 1964 (aged 27) Crewe Alexandra 1987
FW Marcus Gayle Jamaica 27 September 1970 (aged 20) Trainee 1988
FW Dean Holdsworth England 8 November 1968 (aged 22) Watford 1989
FW Simon Line England 1 November 1971 (aged 19) Crystal Palace 1991
FW Lee Luscombe England 16 July 1971 (aged 20) Southampton 1991
FW Tony Sealy England 7 May 1959 (aged 32) MYPA 1991
Players who left the club mid-season
GK Perry Suckling England 12 October 1965 (aged 25) Crystal Palace 1991 Returned to Crystal Palace after loan
MF Keith Jones England 14 October 1965 (aged 25) Chelsea 1987 Transferred to Southend United
FW Richard Cadette England 21 March 1965 (aged 26) Sheffield United 1988 Transferred to Falkirk

Coaching staff

Name Role
England Phil Holder Manager
England Wilf Rostron Assistant Manager
England Graham Pearce Coach
Republic of Ireland Chris Hughton Coach
England Roy Clare Physiotherapist

Statistics

Appearances and goals

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 England Ashley Bayes 1 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 6 0
GK EnglandGraham Benstead 370102020420
DF EnglandJamie Bates 41 (1)131502051 (1)2
DF EnglandTerry Evans 4483 05 12 0549
DF Republic of IrelandChris Hughton 120120
DF EnglandBilly Manuel 27 (8)030512037 (8)1
DF EnglandKeith Millen 341302020411
DF EnglandBrian Statham 180180
MF EnglandBob Booker 14 (2)2 14 (2)2
MF EnglandPaul Buckle 8 (7)11 (1) 02 (1) 02 (1) 013 (10)1
MF EnglandAndy Driscoll 0 (1)00000000 (1)0
MF England Tony Finnigan 3 0 1 0 4 0
MF EnglandKevin Godfrey 26 (5)32 (1) 05 32 035 (6)6
MF EnglandKeith Jones 613091
MF England Robbie Peters 1 (8) 0 0 0 1 (2) 0 1 (1) 0 3 (11) 0
MF EnglandSimon Ratcliffe 31 (3)230302 (1)039 (4)2
MF EnglandWilf Rostron 15 (3)0002 (1) 01018 (4)0
MF EnglandNeil Smilie 4473 05 0 30557
FW EnglandGary Blissett 31 (6)17312 (2)03039 (8)18
FW EnglandRichard Cadette 10 (1)13413 (1)5
FW Jamaica Marcus Gayle 28 (10) 6 1 (1) 0 3 (1) 0 2 (1) 0 34 (13) 6
FW EnglandDean Holdsworth 40 (1)24344 (1)62 (1)449 (3)38
FW EnglandSimon Line 00000 (1)0000 (1)0
FW England Lee Luscombe 10 (3) 3 2 1 12 (3) 4
FW EnglandTony Sealy 9 (9)02 (1)11212 (10)0
Players loaned in during the season
GK England Perry Suckling 8 0 1 0 9 0
MF PolandDetzi Kruszyński 8080

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC FLC FLT Total
FW England Dean Holdsworth 24 4 6 4 38
FW England Gary Blissett 17 1 0 0 18
DF England Terry Evans 8 0 1 0 9
MF England Neil Smilie 7 0 0 0 7
FW Jamaica Marcus Gayle 6 0 0 0 6
MF England Kevin Godfrey 3 0 3 0 6
FW England Richard Cadette 1 4 5
FW England Lee Luscombe 3 1 4
MF England Bob Booker 2 3
MF England Simon Ratcliffe 2 0 0 0 2
DF England Jamie Bates 1 1 0 0 2
MF England Paul Buckle 1 0 0 0 1
MF England Keith Jones10 1
DF England Keith Millen 1 0 0 0 1
DF England Billy Manuel 0 0 1 0 1
Opponents 4 0 0 0 4
Total817157110

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Phil Holder England 17 August 1991 2 May 1992 57 29 9 19 50.88|46 25 7 14 54.35

Summary

Games played 57 (46 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 5 League Cup, 3 Football League Trophy)
Games won 29 (25 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
Games drawn 9 (7 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy)
Games lost 19 (14 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)
Goals scored 110 (81 Third Division, 7 FA Cup, 15 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy)
Goals conceded 85 (55 Third Division, 6 FA Cup, 15 League Cup, 9 Football League Trophy)
Clean sheets 12 (15 Third Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
Biggest league win 4–0 on 2 occasions
Worst league defeat 3–0 versus Bury, 8 February 1992
Most appearances 54, Terry Evans (44 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 5 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)
Top scorer (league) 24, Dean Holdsworth
Top scorer (all competitions) 38, Dean Holdsworth

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
14 June 1991DFEngland Billy ManuelEngland Gillingham£60,000[10]
October 1991FWEngland Lee LuscombeEngland Southampton£15,000[11]
October 1991 FW England Tony Sealy Finland MYPA Free [11]
November 1991 MF England Bob Booker England Sheffield United Free [11]
January 1992 MF England Tony Finnigan England Swindon Town Free [12]
28 February 1992 DF England Brian Statham England Tottenham Hotspur £70,000 [12]
February 1992 DF Republic of Ireland Chris Hughton England West Ham United Free [12]
March 1992 DF Republic of Ireland Tim O'Shea England Gillingham Non-contract [13]
Players loaned in
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
11 October 1991 GK England Perry Suckling England Crystal Palace November 1991 [11]
16 January 1992 DF England Brian Statham England Tottenham Hotspur 16 February 1992 [12]
March 1992 MF Poland Detzi Kruszyński England Wimbledon End of season [13]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
1 July 1991 DF England Jason Cousins England Wycombe Wanderers Free [10]
21 October 1991 MF England Keith Jones England Southend United £175,000 [14]
9 January 1992 FW England Richard Cadette Scotland Falkirk £50,000 [12]
Players loaned out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
November 1991 MF England Andy Driscoll England Staines Town December 1991 [15]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
30 June 1992MFEngland Andy DriscollEngland Yeading1992[16]
30 June 1992 MF England Tony Finnigan Hong Kong Ernest Borel 1992 [17]
30 June 1992 FW England Simon Line Retired [16]
30 June 1992 DF Republic of Ireland Tim O'Shea Hong Kong Hong Kong Rangers 1992 [16]
30 June 1992 FW England Tony Sealy Hong Kong Michelotti 1992 [16]

    Awards

    References

    1. League, The Football. "Brentford - Football League 125". www.fl125.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-17.
    2. 1 2 3 Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2013). The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 9781906796723.
    3. 1 2 3 Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1991-1992 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
    4. "English League Leading Goalscorers". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
    5. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 79.
    6. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Complete History - Statto.com". Statto.com. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
    7. Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 52-72.
    8. Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 479.
    9. 1 2 Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 477.
    10. 1 2 Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 82.
    11. 1 2 3 4 Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 83.
    12. 1 2 3 4 5 Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 86.
    13. 1 2 Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 87.
    14. "Premier and Football League transfers". www.11v11.com. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
    15. 1 2 Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 85.
    16. 1 2 3 4 Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 89.
    17. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920-2006. Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 57. ISBN 0955294916.
    18. Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 445.
    19. Croxford, Lane, Waterman 2013, p. 88.
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