1971–72 Brentford F.C. season

English football team season November 2021 Brentford 1971–72 Frank Blunstone Eric Radley-Smith (until January 1972)Les Davey & Walter Wheatley (from January 1972) Griffin Park Fourth Division 3rd (promoted) FA Cup First round League Cup First round O'Mara (25) O'Mara (27) 18,521 8,712 11,738 _red_stripes _redstripes2 _red_stripes _white stripes _redtop_2whitestripes 000000 000000 1970–71 1972–73 During the 1971–72 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. The club led the division for much of the first half of the season and 10 wins in the final 14 matches secured automatic promotion with a 3rd-place finish. Season summary Despite the reduction of the club's debt to a manageable level and an average attendance higher than all but the top three finishers in the Third Division, Fourth Division Brentford went into the 1971–72 season with a squad of just 14 professionals.White, p. 284-287. Long-time goalkeeper Chic Brodie was released, as was bit-part winger Brian Tawse and in came two defensive youngsters on free transfers – Terry Scales and Steven Tom. Despite the club record £30,000 departure of Roger Cross to rivals Fulham and Alan Hawley also moving to Craven Cottage on loan, Brentford's 12-man squad met pre-season expectations in the early part of the season, holding onto top spot intermittently until a minor blip in October and November 1971.Brentford results for the 1971–1972 season http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1971-1972/results live https://web.archive.org/web/20161109085543/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1971-1972/results 9 November 2016 25 August 2016 Statto.com Utility player Michael Allen was signed from Middlesbrough for an £8,000 fee in October and proved to be a vital cog in the midfield. The team owed much of its success to prolific goalscoring from John O'Mara, with the centre forward reaching 20 goals for the season after a 6–2 thrashing of Darlington on 8 January 1972, a result which made Brentford the top scorers in the Football League and was also notable for a 13-minute hattrick from John Docherty. After another blip caused by the suspension of John O'Mara for five weeks dropped Brentford out of the promotion places,Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 34. the team was buoyed by the loan signing of winger Stewart Houston and entered the final five weeks of the season strongly, winning five matches in a row in March. Two draws and a defeat over Easter threatened to drop the Bees out of the promotion places, but four successive wins meant that automatic promotion was assured with two matches to play, when captain Bobby Ross' penalty was enough to beat Exeter City at Griffin Park on 22 April. Despite going top of the Fourth Division after victory over Barrow in the following match, a 3–0 defeat away to Workington in the final match of the season dropped the Bees to a 3rd-place finish. Two club records were set during the season: Most clean sheets in a Football League season: 22 – Gordon PhillipsHaynes Graham A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia 1998 Yore Publications 1 874427 57 7 30 Fewest players used in a Football League season: 14Haynes & Coumbe, p. 179. Brentford finished top of the Fourth Division charts in the following statistical categories: Best away recordBrentford Home Page for the 1971–1972 season http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1971-1972 live https://web.archive.org/web/20161220033454/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1971-1972 20 December 2016 3 December 2016 Statto.com Highest overall goal difference Highest away goal difference Highest average attendanceHaynes, p. 13. League table 1971–72 Football League Fourth Division Fourth Division y BRE lower-alpha Results Brentford's goal tally listed first. Legend WinDrawLoss Pre-season and friendlies DateOpponentVenueResultScorer(s)31 July 1971SouthamptonH1–3Untraced (og)4 August 1971Hillingdon BoroughA2–1O'Mara, Scales7 August 1971Oxford UnitedH2–4O'Mara, Cross2 May 1972Guernsey XIA6–0O'Mara (4), Houston, Bence4 May 1972Guernsey XIA7–1O'Mara (2), Houston (2), Ross, Graham, Docherty9 May 1972WimbledonA2–2Docherty, Graham Football League Fourth Division No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)114 August 1971BuryA2–02,957Gelson, Tom221 August 1971AldershotH1–18,920Turner328 August 1971DarlingtonA0–02,514430 August 1971BarrowH4–08,866O'Mara, Cross, Turner, Ross54 September 1971HartlepoolH6–08,712Turner (2), O'Mara (3), Cross611 September 1971Grimsby TownA1–311,683O'Mara718 September 1971Peterborough UnitedH5–18,770Neilson, Graham, Docherty, O'Mara, Ross825 September 1971ChesterA0–04,088927 September 1971Stockport CountyH2–010,445Ross (2)102 October 1971Northampton TownH6–111,004Gelson, Docherty, O'Mara (3), Neilson118 October 1971SouthportA0–05,3711216 October 1971BuryH2–09,851O'Mara, Graham1320 October 1971ReadingA1–210,473O'Mara1423 October 1971Southend UnitedH1–214,001O'Mara1530 October 1971Scunthorpe UnitedA0–06,121166 November 1971Newport CountyH3–110,484Docherty, Ross (2, 1 pen)1713 November 1971Colchester UnitedA1–16,898O'Mara1827 November 1971GillinghamH1–310,945Ross194 December 1971Exeter CityA1–03,809O'Mara2011 December 1971SouthportH1–09,624Peat (og)2118 December 1971HartlepoolA2–12,199Allen (2)2227 December 1971Crewe AlexandraH1–018,237O'Mara231 January 1972Peterborough UnitedA2–27,027O'Mara (2)248 January 1972DarlingtonH6–210,582Ross (pen), O'Mara (2), Docherty (3)2515 January 1972Lincoln CityA1–47,552O'Mara2625 January 1972Stockport CountyA1–03,247Ross2729 January 1972ReadingH1–212,144Docherty285 February 1972Cambridge UnitedA1–16,861Graham2912 February 1972Southend UnitedA1–39,841Ross (pen)3019 February 1972Scunthorpe UnitedH0–311,9123126 February 1972Newport CountyA0–03,271324 March 1972Colchester UnitedH0–29,2103313 March 1972Lincoln CityH2–012,065O'Mara, Scales3418 March 1972AldershotA2–16,989O'Mara, Ross3521 March 1972Doncaster RoversA3–05,256Graham (2), Ross3625 March 1972Grimsby TownH2–014,635Docherty, O'Mara3727 March 1972WorkingtonH2–013,972Docherty, Houston3831 March 1972ChesterH1–118,521Docherty391 April 1972Crewe AlexandraA1–22,072Docherty403 April 1972Northampton TownA0–05,314418 April 1972Cambridge UnitedH2–19,061Docherty, Graham4215 April 1972GillinghamA1–05,819Docherty4317 April 1972Doncaster RoversH2–113,484O'Mara (2)4422 April 1972Exeter CityH1–014,540Ross (pen)4524 April 1972BarrowA3–02,646Houston, Allen, Graham4629 April 1972WorkingtonA0–31,751 FA Cup 1971–72 FA Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)1R20 November 1971Swansea CityA1–17,915O'Mara1R (replay)22 November 1971Swansea CityH2–315,000Ross, O'Mara Football League Cup 1971–72 Football League Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer1R18 August 1971Colchester UnitedA1–36,125Ross Sources: 100 Years of Brentford, The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 36-48.Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 300. Statto Playing squad Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1971–72 season. Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotesGoalkeepersGKGordon PhillipsENG1971 8 14 1946 11 17 yHayes1963DefendersDFPaul BenceENG1971 8 14 1948 12 21 yReading1970DFPeter GelsonENG1971 8 14 1941 10 18 yYouth1961DFAlan HawleyENG1971 8 14 1946 6 7 yYouth1962Loaned to FulhamDFAlan NelmesENG1971 8 14 1948 10 20 yChelsea1967DFTerry ScalesENG1971 8 14 1951 1 18 yWest Ham United1971DFSteven TomENG1971 8 14 1951 5 1 yQueens Park Rangers1971MidfieldersMFMichael AllenENG1971 8 14 1949 3 30 yMiddlesbrough1971MFJohn DochertySCO1971 8 14 1940 4 29 yReading1970MFJackie GrahamSCO1971 8 14 1946 7 16 yGuildford City1970MFGordon NeilsonSCO1971 8 14 1947 5 28 yArsenal1968MFBrian TurnerNZL1971 8 14 1949 7 31 yPortsmouth1970ForwardsFWStewart HoustonSCO1971 8 14 1949 8 20 yChelsea1972On loan from ChelseaFWJohn O'MaraENG1971 8 14 1947 3 19 yWimbledon1971FWBobby Ross (c)SCO1971 8 14 1942 5 10 yShrewsbury Town1966Players who left the club mid-seasonFWRoger CrossENG1971 8 14 1948 10 20 yWest Ham United1970Transferred to FulhamFWTrevor DawkinsENG1971 8 14 1945 10 17 yCrystal Palace1971Returned to Crystal Palace after loanFWKen WallaceENG1971 8 14 1952 6 8 yWest Ham United1972Returned to West Ham United after loan Sources: The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,Croxford Mark The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies Lane David Waterman Greville Legends Publishing 2011 978-1906796709 Sunbury, Middlesex Timeless BeesHaynes Graham Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 Coumbe Frank Yore Publications 2006 978-0955294914 Coaching staff NameRoleENG Frank BlunstoneManagerENG Eddie LyonsTrainer Statistics Appearances and goals Substitute appearances in brackets. PosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKENGGordon Phillips4602010490DFENGPaul Bence32 (2)0201035 (2)0DFENGPeter Gelson36 (1)2001037 (1)2DFENGAlan Hawley2000000200DFENGAlan Nelmes4602010490DFENGTerry Scales4312010461DFENGSteven Tom13 (5)1201016 (5)1MFENGMichael Allen29 (1)320—31 (1)3MFSCOJohn Docherty441320004613MFSCOJackie Graham4572010487MFSCOGordon Neilson8 (4)2000 (1)08 (5)2MFNZLBrian Turner34 (1)4201037 (1)4FWENGRoger Cross52—1062FWENGJohn O'Mara402522104327FWSCOBobby Ross44 (1)13211147 (1)15Players loaned in during the seasonFWENGTrevor Dawkins3 (1)0——3 (1)0FWSCOStewart Houston152——152FWENGKen Wallace30——30 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years of Brentford100 Years Of Brentford Brentford FC 1989 0951526200 White Eric 391 Goalscorers Pos.NatPlayerFL4FACFLCTotalFWENGJohn O'Mara252027FWSCOBobby Ross131115MFSCOJohn Docherty130013MFSCOJackie Graham7007MFNZLBrian Turner4004MFENGMichael Allen30—3FWSCOStewart Houston2——2FWENGRoger Cross2—02DFENGPeter Gelson2002MFSCOGordon Neilson2002DFENGTerry Scales1001DFENGSteven Tom1001Opponents1001Total763180 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years of Brentford Management NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord LeaguePWDLW %PWDLW %Frank BlunstoneENG14 August 197129 April 1972 49 24 12 13 46 24 11 11 Summary Games played 49 (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Games won 24 (24 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Games drawn 12 (11 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Games lost 13 (11 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals scored 80 (76 Fourth Division, 3 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals conceded 51 (44 Fourth Division, 4 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)Clean sheets 22 (22 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Biggest league win 6–0 versus Hartlepool, 4 September 1971Worst league defeat 3–0 on two occasions; 4–1 versus Lincoln City, 15 January 1972Most appearances 49, Alan Nelmes, Gordon Phillips (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Top scorer (league) 25, John O'MaraTop scorer (all competitions) 27, John O'Mara Transfers & loans Players transferred inDatePos.NamePrevious clubFeeRef.June 1971DFENG Steven TomENG Crystal PalaceFreeCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 50-53.July 1971DFENG Terry ScalesENG West Ham UnitedFreeOctober 1971MFENG Michael AllenENG Middlesbrough£8,000Players loaned inDate fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.September 1971FWENG Trevor DawkinsENG Crystal PalaceOctober 1971February 1972FWENG Ken WallaceENG West Ham UnitedMarch 1972March 1972FWSCO Stewart HoustonENG ChelseaEnd of seasonPlayers transferred outDatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.September 1971FWENG Roger CrossENG Fulham£30,000Players loaned outDate fromPos.NameToDate toRef.September 1971MFENG Alan HawleyENG FulhamOctober 1971Players releasedDatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.May 1972MFSCO Gordon NeilsonENG Hillingdon Borough1972May 1972DFENG Steven TomENG Barnet1972May 1972MFNZL Brian TurnerNZL Mount Wellington1972 Awards Supporters' Player of the Year: John O'MaraCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 295. Players' Player of the Year: Jackie Graham Gallaghers Divisional Footballer of the Year: John O'MaraHaynes & Coumbe, p. 118. Football League Fourth Division Manager of the Month: Frank Blunstone (September 1971, March 1972) References Category:Brentford F.C. seasons Brentford