1977–78 Brentford F.C. season

English football team season November 2022 Brentford 1977–78 Bill Dodgin Jr. Dan Tana Griffin Park Fourth Division 4th (promoted) FA Cup Second round League Cup First round Phillips (32) Phillips (36) 14,496 5,492 8,578 _red_stripes _brentford_home_7779 _red_stripes _redtop_2whitestripes 000000 000000 a6d0f1 _brentford_third_7980 a6d0f1 FFFFFF FFFFFF 1976–77 1978–79 During the 1977–78 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. 58 goals from Steve Phillips and Andrew McCulloch helped the club to a 4th-place finish and promotion to the Third Division. Phillips' 36 goals was the most in English league football by any player during the season. Season summary Having spent much of the previous season rebuilding the unbalanced squad left by his predecessor John Docherty, Brentford manager Bill Dodgin Jr. shrugged off two off-season disappointments (failing to agree a fee with Bristol City for John Bain and Terry Johnson's refusal to sign a new contract) by bringing in goalkeeper Len Bond for £8,000 and midfielders Barry Lloyd and Willie Graham.White, p. 305-308. Expectations were high going into the 1977–78 Fourth Division season, with Dodgin's attractive brand of attacking football having led to 14 wins from the final 18 matches of the previous season. After a what was then becoming traditional first round exit of the League Cup, Brentford had a strong start to the league season, going top on 22 August 1977 after a 4–1 victory over Fourth Division newcomers Wimbledon.Brentford results for the 1977–1978 season http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1977-1978/results live 11 February 2017 Statto.com 17 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160317131002/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1977-1978/results The three-pronged attack of forwards Gordon Sweetzer, Andrew McCulloch and midfielder Steve Phillips proved fruitful after 10 league matches and Phillips and Sweetzer topped the Fourth Division goalscoring chart with eight apiece. Injuries to Gordon Sweetzer, Dave Carlton, John Fraser, captain Jackie Graham and a suspension suffered by Andrew McCulloch nullified Brentford's threat through the Christmas period and the club dropped back into the upper reaches of mid-table. By mid-January 1978, Brentford began to recover and the £10,000 signing of full back Barry Tucker would prove to be the final piece of the jigsaw in manager Bill Dodgin Jr.'s starting XI. A 4–0 win over Rochdale at Griffin Park on 6 March put the Bees back on the cusp of the promotion places for the first time since mid-December, but the shock transfer of forward Gordon Sweetzer to Cambridge United two days later for a £30,000 fee was seen as a massive risk. Sweetzer had scored 40 goals from his 72 appearances for the club over 18 months, but manager Dodgin felt that with Steve Phillips having scored 16 goals from midfield so far in the season, Phillips could move up to the forward line to partner Andrew McCulloch. In addition, Phillips was allowed to play a free role in matches, roaming between midfield, the wings and the forward line.Kings of the Castle: Steve Phillips https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/kings-of-the-castle-steve-phillips 15 August 2022 www.brentfordfc.com en-gb Dodgin's decision proved to be a masterstroke, with Phillips scoring 16 goals in the final 15 matches of the season and promotion to the Third Division was secured with two matches still to play. Phillips' 36 goals meant that he finished the season as the top scorer in English league football, while Andrew McCulloch and the departed Gordon Sweetzer supported ably with 22 and 14 goals respectively. The 58 goals Phillips' and McCulloch's strike partnership yielded equated to just under 63% of the club's total scored in league matches.Kings of the Castle: Andy McCulloch https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/andy-mcculloch-brentford-interview 16 November 2022 www.brentfordfc.com en-gb One club record was equalled during the season: Highest away Football League aggregate score: 10 (6–4 versus Crewe Alexandra, 3 September 1977)Brentford scoring and sequence records http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/records live https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193423/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/records 4 March 2016 11 February 2017 Statto.com League table 1977–78 Football League Fourth Division Fourth Division y BRE Results Brentford's goal tally listed first. Legend WinDrawLoss Pre-season and friendlies DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)2 August 1977Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–32,501Sweetzer, Phillips8 August 1977Charlton AthleticH2–22,260Sweetzer (2)10 August 1977BarnetA4–1n/aGlynn (2), McCulloch, Phillips30 August 1977KuwaitH0–2n/a2 May 1978Staines TownA2–1n/aRolph, Walker3 May 1978FolkestoneA0–0n/a9 May 1978ChelseaH2–87,400Allder, Kruse Football League Fourth Division No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)120 August 1977Northampton TownH3–05,492Lloyd, McCulloch, Phillips222 August 1977WimbledonH4–111,001McCulloch, Phillips, Sweetzer, Lloyd327 August 1977ReadingH1–18,176Sweetzer (pen)43 September 1977Crewe AlexandraA6–41,837Collier (og), Carlton (2), Sweetzer (3)510 September 1977BournemouthH1–17,702Phillips613 September 1977RochdaleA2–11,164McCulloch, Kruse717 September 1977Doncaster RoversA1–33,044Phillips824 September 1977Scunthorpe UnitedH2–06,115McCulloch, Phillips926 September 1977Stockport CountyA1–14,121Sweetzer101 October 1977Halifax TownH4–16,239Phillips (2, 1 pen), J. Graham, Lloyd113 October 1977WatfordH0–314,496128 October 1977Torquay UnitedA1–22,538McCulloch1315 October 1977SouthportH0–06,1411422 October 1977Hartlepool UnitedA1–32,470Phillips1529 October 1977Southend UnitedH1–07,435McCulloch165 November 1977York CityH1–05,985Phillips1712 November 1977BarnsleyA0–04,2091819 November 1977Swansea CityH0–26,337192 December 1977DarlingtonA3–12,058McCulloch, Phillips, Rolph2010 December 1977Grimsby TownH3–15,762McCulloch (2), Phillips2126 December 1977AldershotA0–18,1752227 December 1977Newport CountyH3–38,972Phillips (pen), Allder, Baldwin2331 December 1977York CityA2–32,329McCulloch, Phillips242 January 1978Huddersfield TownH1–19,475Shrubb257 January 1978WimbledonA1–15,411Sweetzer2614 January 1978Northampton TownA2–24,050McCulloch (2)2728 January 1978Crewe AlexandraH5–16,871McCulloch, Phillips (2, 1 pen), W. Graham, Sweetzer284 February 1978BournemouthA2–33,417McCulloch, Sweetzer2925 February 1978Halifax TownA1–11,764Carlton304 March 1978Torquay UnitedH3–06,551Sweetzer (2, 1 pen), Darke (og)316 March 1978RochdaleH4–07,215McCulloch, Phillips (2, 1 pen), Sweetzer, Lloyd3211 March 1978SouthportA3–11,691Phillips (2), McCulloch3314 March 1978Scunthorpe UnitedA1–13,053Murray3418 March 1978Hartlepool UnitedH2–07,499McCulloch, Phillips3524 March 1978Southend UnitedA1–211,810Phillips3625 March 1978Newport CountyA2–14,953J. Graham, McCulloch3727 March 1978AldershotH2–012,579Phillips (2, 1 pen)381 April 1978Huddersfield TownA3–16,345Phillips (3)393 April 1978Stockport CountyH4–011,674Phillips (2), McCulloch (2)408 April 1978BarnsleyH2–012,139Allder, Phillips (pen)4112 April 1978ReadingA0–07,3844215 April 1978Swansea CityA1–216,152W. Graham4318 April 1978Doncaster RoversH2–211,512Phillips (2)4422 April 1978DarlingtonH2–011,934McCulloch, Phillips (pen)4525 April 1978WatfordA1–116,544McCulloch4629 April 1978Grimsby TownA1–24,712Phillips FA Cup 1977–78 FA Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)1R26 November 1977Folkestone & ShepwayH2–05,981Phillips (2)2R17 December 1977Swindon TownA1–28,447Phillips (pen) Football League Cup 1977–78 Football League Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)1R (1st leg)13 August 1977Crystal PalaceH2–18,929Sweetzer (2)1R (2nd leg)16 August 1977Crystal PalaceA1–5 (lost 6–3 on aggregate)11,586Phillips Sources: 100 Years of Brentford, The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 158-169.Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 312. Statto Playing squad Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1977–78 season. Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotesGoalkeepersGKLen BondENG1977 8 13 1954 1 12 yBristol City1977GKGraham CoxENG1977 8 13 1959 4 30 yYouth1975DefendersDFMichael AllenENG1977 8 13 1949 3 30 yMiddlesbrough1971DFJohn FraserENG1977 8 13 1953 7 12 yFulham1976DFPat KruseENG1977 8 13 1953 11 30 yTorquay United1977DFDanis SalmanENG1977 8 13 1960 3 12 yYouth1975DFNigel SmithENG1977 8 13 1958 7 3 yQueens Park Rangers1975DFBarry TuckerWAL1977 8 13 1952 8 28 yNorthampton Town1978MidfieldersMFDoug AllderENG1977 8 13 1951 12 30 yUnattached1977MFSteve AylottENG1977 8 13 1951 9 3 yOxford United1976MFDave CarltonENG1977 8 13 1952 11 24 yNorthampton Town1976MFJackie Graham (c)SCO1977 8 13 1946 7 16 yGuildford City1970MFWillie GrahamNIR1977 8 13 1959 2 14 yNorthampton Town1977MFBarry LloydENG1977 8 13 1949 2 19 yHereford United1977MFGary RolphENG1977 8 13 1960 2 24 yYouth1976MFPaul ShrubbENG1977 8 13 1955 8 1 yHellenic1977MFPaul WalkerENG1977 8 13 1960 12 17 yYouth1976ForwardsFWTommy BaldwinENG1977 8 13 1945 6 10 yUnattached1977FWAndrew McCullochENG1977 8 13 1950 1 3 yOxford United1976FWJohn MurrayENG1977 8 13 1948 3 2 yReading1978FWSteve PhillipsENG1977 8 13 1954 8 4 yNorthampton Town1977Players who left the club mid-seasonMFTerry GlynnENG1977 8 13 1958 12 17 yOrient1977ReleasedFWGordon SweetzerCAN1977 8 13 1957 1 27 yQueens Park Rangers1975Transferred to Cambridge United 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 Bill Dodgin Jr.ManagerENG Eddie LyonsPhysiotherapistENG Gordon QuinnChief Scout Statistics Appearances and goals Substitute appearances in brackets. PosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKENGLen Bond4502020490GKENGGraham Cox10000010DFENGMichael Allen2102020250DFENGJohn Fraser1901020220DFENGPat Kruse4012020441DFENGDanis Salman36 (1)0202040 (1)0DFENGNigel Smith8 (1)000008 (1)0DFWALBarry Tucker180——180MFENGDoug Allder31220—332MFENGSteve Aylott1 (1)000001 (1)0MFENGDave Carlton3330000333MFENGTerry Glynn00—0 (1)00 (1)0MFSCOJackie Graham35 (1)2202039 (1)2MFNIRWillie Graham28 (3)210—29 (3)2MFENGBarry Lloyd26 (5)4202030 (5)4MFENGGary Rolph1 (3)10 (1)0001 (4)1MFENGPaul Shrubb4512020491MFENGPaul Walker3 (2)000003 (2)0FWENGTommy Baldwin4100—41FWENGAndrew McCulloch452220204922FWENGJohn Murray2 (3)1——2 (3)1FWENGSteve Phillips463223215036FWCANGordon Sweetzer181200222014 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years of Brentford100 Years Of Brentford Brentford FC 1989 0951526200 White Eric 394 Goalscorers Pos.NatPlayerFL4FACFLCTotalFWENGSteve Phillips323136FWENGAndrew McCulloch220022FWCANGordon Sweetzer120214MFENGBarry Lloyd4004MFENGDave Carlton3003MFENGDoug Allder20—2MFNIRWillie Graham20—2MFSCOJackie Graham2002FWENGJohn Murray1——1FWENGTommy Baldwin10—1DFENGPat Kruse1001MFENGGary Rolph1001MFENGPaul Shrubb1001Opponents2002Total863392 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years of Brentford Management NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord LeaguePWDLW %PWDLW %Bill Dodgin, Jr.ENG13 August 197729 April 1978 50 23 14 13 46 21 14 11 Summary Games played 50 (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Games won 23 (21 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Games drawn 14 (14 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Games lost 13 (11 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals scored 92 (86 Fourth Division, 3 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)Goals conceded 62 (54 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 6 League Cup)Clean sheets 15 (14 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Biggest league win 4–0 on two occasions; 5–1 versus Crewe Alexandra, 28 January 1978Worst league defeat 3–0 versus Watford, 3 October 1977Most appearances 50, Steve Phillips (42 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Top scorer (league) 32, Steve PhillipsTop scorer (all competitions) 36, Steve Phillips Transfers & loans Players transferred inDatePos.NamePrevious clubFeeRef.June 1977MFENG Barry LloydENG Hereford UnitedFreeCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 170-175.August 1977GKENG Len BondENG Bristol City£8,000August 1977MFNIR Willie GrahamENG Northampton TownFreeOctober 1977MFENG Doug AllderUnattachedTrialOctober 1977FWENG Tommy BaldwinUnattachedNon-contract1977MFENG Terry GlynnENG OrientTrialJanuary 1978MFENG Dave Metchickn/aNon-contractHaynes & Coumbe, p. 108.February 1978FWENG John MurrayENG ReadingNominalFebruary 1978DFENG David SilmanUnattachedTrialFebruary 1978DFWAL Barry TuckerENG Northampton Town£10,000Players transferred outDatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.8 March 1978FWCAN Gordon SweetzerENG Cambridge United£30,000Players loaned outDate fromPos.NameToDate toRef.May 1978FWENG Andrew McCullochUSA Oakland StompersAugust 1978Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 190.Players releasedDatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.September 1977MFENG Terry GlynnENG Ilford19771977MFENG Terry JohnsonENG Blyth Spartans1977January 1978MFENG Dave Metchickn/an/aMay 1978MFENG Steve AylottRetiredMay 1978MFENG Barry LloydUSA Houston Hurricane1978Haynes & Coumbe, p. 97-98. Awards Supporters' Player of the Year: Andrew McCullochCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 295. Players' Player of the Year: Andrew McCulloch Adidas Golden Boot: Steve PhillipsHaynes Graham A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia 1998 Yore Publications 1 874427 57 7 16 Evening Standard Player of the Month: Steve Phillips (March 1978) Football League Fourth Division Manager of the Month: Bill Dodgin Jr. (March 1978) References Category:Brentford F.C. seasons Brentford