1976–77 Brentford F.C. season

English football team season June 2022 Brentford 1976–77 John Docherty (until 7 September 1976)Eddie Lyons (7–16 September 1976)Bill Dodgin Jr. (from 16 September 1976) Dan Tana Griffin Park Fourth Division 15th FA Cup Second round League Cup First round Sweetzer (23) Sweetzer (23) 8,951 3,158 5,121 _red_stripes _brentford_home_7577 _red_stripes _brentford_home_98-00 000000 000000 fff600 _brentford_away_7677 fff600 97d1fd fff600 1975–76 1977–78 During the 1976–77 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. After a poor start to the season, Bill Dodgin Jr. appointed to replace inexperienced manager John Docherty. With re-election looking likely, Dodgin overhauled the playing squad and the Bees won 14 of the final 18 matches of the season to complete a remarkable turnaround and finish in mid-table. Season summary thumb|upright|Winger Harry Redknapp made one appearance while on trial in September 1976. After Brentford's lowest-ever finish in the Fourth Division at the end of the previous season, manager John Docherty released defenders Alan Nelmes and Keith Lawrence and replaced them with John Fraser and Bobby Goldthorpe respectively.White, p. 301-304. Also arriving at Griffin Park were defender Keith Pritchett and midfielder Steve Aylott, while teenagers Danis Salman, Gary Rolph, Graham Cox and Paul Walker all signed apprentice professional contracts. A catalogue of injuries to Fraser, Aylott, Riddick, Sweetzer, McCulloch, Allen and Johnson and a failure to win any of the first six games of the season led to manager Docherty quitting the club, after failing to win a vote of confidence from chairman Dan Tana. Physiotherapist Eddie Lyons was put in caretaker charge of the team for one match before Bill Dodgin Jr. was appointed manager on 16 September 1976, who followed in his father's footsteps by taking over the role. While Brentford were entrenched in the re-election places the first five months of Bill Dodgin Jr.'s reign,Brentford results for the 1976–1977 season http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1976-1977/results live https://web.archive.org/web/20160320041505/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1976-1977/results 20 March 2016 11 February 2017 Statto.com behind the scenes he overhauled the squad and sought players who would meld with his attacking philosophy. Between September 1976 and February 1977, Dodgin brought in midfielder Dave Carlton from his previous club Northampton Town and a number of players on loan – goalkeeper Tony Burns and midfielders Allan Glover, Steve Scrivens, Neil Smillie and John Bain. The sales of defender Keith Pritchett and forwards Roger Cross and Micky French generated over £20,000 in transfer fees, a small portion of which was spent on midfielders Paul Shrubb and Steve Phillips. Most significantly, teenage forward Gordon Sweetzer was promoted through the ranks and began to establish himself in the starting lineup in the New Year. By January 1977, manager Dodgin's new-look squad was starting to produce results on the field, with Gordon Sweetzer scoring a hat-trick in a 4–0 victory over Stockport County in the middle of the month. In late February, Brentford set off on a run which would see the club become one of the Fourth Division's form teams,English Division Four (old) 1976–1977 Form Table : 10 Games http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-four-old/1976-1977/form-table-ten live https://web.archive.org/web/20160310034618/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-four-old/1976-1977/form-table-ten 10 March 2016 11 February 2017 Statto.com winning 14 and drawing two of the final 18 matches of the season. Gordon Sweetzer established a strike partnership with fit-again Andrew McCulloch and showed prolific form, finishing the season with 23 goals from 28 appearances. In March, despite a shaky start, the £20,000 purchase of central defender Pat Kruse would prove to be an important signing for the future. Brentford finished the season in 15th place.Brentford League Table 1976-1977 http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1976-1977/table live https://web.archive.org/web/20160324123148/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1976-1977/table 24 March 2016 11 February 2017 Statto.com Two club records were set during the season: Youngest debutant: Paul Walker, 15 years, 7 months, 28 days (versus Watford, League Cup first round, 14 August 1976) Youngest FA Cup goalscorer: Gary Rolph – 16 years, 9 months, 26 days (versus Colchester United, FA Cup second round, 20 December 1976)Haynes & Coumbe, p. 137. League table 1976–77 Football League Fourth Division Fourth Division y BRE Results Brentford's goal tally listed first. Legend WinDrawLoss Pre-season DateOpponentVenueResultScorer(s)2 August 1976WaltonA1–1Sweetzer9 August 1976HayesA1–3Cross12 August 1976AddlestoneA2–4Cross, Walker Football League Fourth Division No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)121 August 1976BarnsleyH0–13,903223 August 1976Stockport CountyA0–23,191328 August 1976Huddersfield TownA0–14,55944 September 1976Doncaster RoversH2–23,804Johnson, French510 September 1976AldershotA1–15,129French618 September 1976SouthportH3–04,185Graham, Johnson, Cross725 September 1976Torquay UnitedA1–12,456Cross82 October 1976Bradford CityA2–34,809Cross (2)99 October 1976Newport CountyH1–15,894Goldthorpe1015 October 1976Swansea CityA3–53,656Allen, Pritchett, Goldthorpe1123 October 1976DarlingtonH0–34,3031225 October 1976WorkingtonH5–03,158Cross, Sweetzer, McCulloch (2), Fraser1330 October 1976Colchester UnitedA1–23,607Cross143 November 1976Exeter CityA2–32,779McCulloch, Graham156 November 1976BournemouthH3–24,254Cross, French, McCulloch1613 November 1976HartlepoolA0–21,8881727 November 1976Cambridge UnitedH0–25,0401827 December 1976Southend UnitedA1–29,239Cross (pen)191 January 1977BournemouthA1–34,268Cross203 January 1977Colchester UnitedH1–44,629McCulloch218 January 1977Crewe AlexandraA2–32,198McCulloch, Sweetzer2215 January 1977Stockport CountyH4–03,981Fraser, Sweetzer (3)2322 January 1977BarnsleyA0–24,0952425 January 1977Scunthorpe UnitedA1–22,867Sweetzer2529 January 1977Halifax TownH2–14,517Sweetzer, French265 February 1977Huddersfield TownH1–34,833Salman2712 February 1977Doncaster RoversA0–54,0952819 February 1977AldershotH0–14,5422922 February 1977RochdaleH3–23,307Johnson, Phillips, Sweetzer305 March 1977Torquay UnitedH3–24,172Sweetzer (3, 1 pen)318 March 1977SouthportA2–1969Johnson (pen), Sweetzer3212 March 1977Bradford CityH4–05,742Shrubb, Johnson, Bain, Phillips3318 March 1977Newport CountyA1–31,747Sweetzer3423 March 1977WatfordH3–07,602Sweetzer (2), Graham3526 March 1977Swansea CityH4–06,201Johnson (2, 1 pen), Sweetzer, Phillips362 April 1977DarlingtonA2–21,681Johnson, Sweetzer378 April 1977Southend UnitedH1–08,951Phillips389 April 1977WatfordA1–09,382McCulloch3912 April 1977Exeter CityH1–07,641Sweetzer4016 April 1977WorkingtonA3–11,032Sweetzer, McCulloch, Phillips4119 April 1977Halifax TownA0–01,4644223 April 1977HartlepoolH3–15,978Kruse, McCulloch, Sweetzer (pen)4330 April 1977Cambridge UnitedA2–35,617Sweetzer, Graham442 May 1977Crewe AlexandraH0–05,842457 May 1977Scunthorpe UnitedH4–25,298Kruse, Sweetzer (2), Phillips4614 May 1977RochdaleA3–2977Shrubb, McCulloch, Phillips FA Cup 1976–77 FA Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)1R20 November 1976Chesham UnitedH2–05,633French, Cross2R20 December 1976Colchester UnitedA2–34,730Rolph, Fraser Football League Cup 1976–77 Football League Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer1R (1st leg)14 August 1976WatfordA1–14,827Cross1R (2nd leg)17 August 1976WatfordH0–2 (lost 3–1 on aggregate)5,542 Sources: 100 Years of Brentford, The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 136-145. Statto Playing squad Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1976–77 season. Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotesGoalkeepersGKGraham CoxENG1976 8 14 1959 4 30 yYouth1975GKPaul PriddyENG1976 8 14 1953 1 11 yWalton & Hersham1975DefendersDFMichael AllenENG1976 8 14 1949 3 30 yMiddlesbrough1971DFSteve AylottENG1976 8 14 1951 9 3 yOxford United1976DFJohn FraserENG1976 8 14 1953 7 12 yFulham1976DFBobby GoldthorpeENG1976 8 14 1950 12 6 yCharlton Athletic1976DFPat KruseENG1976 8 14 1953 11 30 yTorquay United1977DFDanis SalmanENG1976 8 14 1960 3 12 yYouth1975DFTom SharpSCO1976 8 14 1957 7 30 yEverton1976DFNigel SmithENG1976 8 14 1958 7 3 yQueens Park Rangers1975MidfieldersMFJohn BainSCO1976 8 14 1957 6 3 yBristol City1977On loan from Bristol CityMFDave CarltonENG1976 8 14 1952 11 24 yNorthampton Town1976MFJackie Graham (c)SCO1976 8 14 1946 7 16 yGuildford City1970MFTerry JohnsonENG1976 8 14 1949 8 30 ySouthend United1974MFSteve PhillipsENG1976 8 14 1954 8 4 yNorthampton Town1977MFPaul ShrubbENG1976 8 14 1955 8 1 yHellenic1977MFPaul WalkerENG1976 8 14 1960 12 17 yYouth1976Loaned to Slough TownForwardsFWAndrew McCullochENG1976 8 14 1950 1 3 yOxford United1976FWGary RolphENG1976 8 14 1960 2 24 yYouth1976FWGordon SweetzerCAN1976 8 14 1957 1 27 yQueens Park Rangers1975Players who left the club mid-seasonGKTony BurnsENG1976 8 14 1944 3 27 yCrystal Palace1977Returned to Crystal Palace after loanDFPaul BenceENG1976 8 14 1948 12 21 yReading1970Loaned to Torquay United, releasedDFKeith PritchettSCO1976 8 14 1953 11 8 yQueens Park Rangers1976Transferred to WatfordDFGordon RiddickENG1976 8 14 1943 11 6 yNorthampton Town1973ReleasedMFAllan GloverENG1976 8 14 1950 10 21 yWest Bromwich Albion1976Returned to West Bromwich Albion after loanMFHarry RedknappENG1976 8 14 1947 3 2 yBournemouth1976ReleasedMFTerry ScalesENG1976 8 14 1951 1 18 yWest Ham United1971ReleasedMFSteve ScrivensENG1976 8 14 1957 3 11 yFulham1976Returned to Crystal Palace after loanMFNeil SmillieENG1976 8 14 1958 7 19 yCrystal Palace1977Returned to Crystal Palace after loanFWRoger CrossENG1976 8 14 1948 10 20 yFulham1973Transferred to MillwallFWMicky FrenchENG1976 8 14 1955 5 7 yQueens Park Rangers1975Transferred to Swindon Town 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 John Docherty (14 August – 7 September 1976) NameRoleSCO John DochertyManagerENG Eddie LyonsPhysiotherapistENG Bob PearsonChief Scout Eddie Lyons (7 – 16 September 1976) NameRoleENG Eddie LyonsCaretaker ManagerENG Bob PearsonChief Scout Bill Dodgin Jr. (16 September 1976 – 14 May 1977) NameRoleENG Bill Dodgin Jr.ManagerENG Fred CallaghanAssistant managerENG Eddie LyonsPhysiotherapistENG Gordon QuinnChief Scout Statistics Appearances and goals Substitute appearances in brackets. PosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKENGGraham Cox30000030GKENGPaul Priddy3702020410DFENGMichael Allen4012000421DFENGSteve Aylott50000050DFENGPaul Bence10 (1)0—2011 (1)0DFENGJohn Fraser3922100413DFENGBobby Goldthorpe1921 (1)02022 (1)2DFENGPat Kruse152——152DFSCOKeith Pritchett111—20131DFENGGordon Riddick1502000170DFENGDanis Salman16 (2)11 (1)02019 (3)1DFSCOTom Sharp2 (2)0000 (1)02 (3)0DFENGNigel Smith32 (2)0002034 (2)0MFENGDave Carlton31 (1)020—33 (1)0MFSCOJackie Graham4242020464MFENGTerry Johnson24 (3)8100025 (3)8MFENGSteve Phillips197——197MFENGHarry Redknapp10——10MFENGTerry Scales1201020150MFENGPaul Shrubb10 (3)2——10 (3)2MFENGPaul Walker1 (1)010204 (1)0FWENGRoger Cross21921212511FWENGMicky French15 (4)4212019 (4)5FWENGAndrew McCulloch18 (2)10000018 (2)10FWENGGary Rolph6 (1)011007 (1)1FWCANGordon Sweetzer25 (2)23100026 (2)23Players loaned in during the seasonGKENGTony Burns60——60MFSCOJohn Bain17 (1)1——17 (1)1MFENGAllan Glover60——60MFENGSteve Scrivens50——50MFENGNeil Smillie30——30 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.NatPlayerFL4FACFLCTotalFWCANGordon Sweetzer230023FWENGRoger Cross91111FWENGAndrew McCulloch100010MFENGTerry Johnson8008MFENGSteve Phillips7——7FWENGMicky French4105MFSCOJackie Graham4004DFENGJohn Fraser2103DFENGPat Kruse2——2MFENGPaul Shrubb2——2DFENGBobby Goldthorpe2002MFSCOJohn Bain1——1DFENGMichael Allen1001DFSCOKeith Pritchett1001DFENGDanis Salman1001FWENGGary Rolph0101Total774182 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years of Brentford Management NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord LeaguePWDLW %PWDLW %John DochertySCO14 August 19767 September 1976 6 0 2 4 4 0 1 3Eddie Lyons (caretaker)ENG7 September 197616 September 1976 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0Bill Dodgin, Jr.ENG16 September 197614 May 1977 43 19 5 19 41 18 5 18 Summary Games played 50 (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Games won 19 (18 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Games drawn 8 (7 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Games lost 23 (21 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals scored 82 (77 Fourth Division, 4 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals conceded 82 (76 Fourth Division, 3 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)Clean sheets 12 (11 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Biggest league win 5–0 versus Workington, 25 October 1976Worst league defeat 5–0 versus Doncaster Rovers, 12 February 1977Most appearances 46, Jackie Graham (42 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Top scorer (league) 23, Gordon SweetzerTop scorer (all competitions) 23, Gordon Sweetzer Transfers & loans Players transferred inDatePos.NamePrevious clubFeeRef.July 1976DFENG Steve AylottENG Oxford UnitedFreeJuly 1976DFENG John FraserENG FulhamFreeCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 146-151.July 1976DFENG Bobby GoldthorpeENG FulhamFreeJuly 1976DFSCO Keith PritchettENG Queens Park RangersFreeSeptember 1976MFENG Harry RedknappENG BournemouthTrialOctober 1976MFENG Dave CarltonENG Northampton Town£3,000October 1976DFENG Gordon RiddickUnattachedNon-contract1976FWENG Gary Rolphn/an/aFebruary 1977MFENG Steve PhillipsENG Northampton Town£4,000February 1977MFENG Paul ShrubbRSA 1928 Hellenicn/aMarch 1977DFENG Pat KruseENG Torquay United£20,000Players loaned inDate fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.October 1976MFENG Allan GloverENG West Bromwich AlbionNovember 1976December 1976MFENG Steve ScrivensENG FulhamJanuary 1977January 1977GKENG Tony BurnsENG Crystal PalaceFebruary 1977January 1977MFENG Neil SmillieENG Crystal PalaceFebruary 1977February 1977MFSCO John BainENG Bristol CityEnd of seasonHaynes & Coumbe, p. 15.Players transferred outDatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.November 1976DFSCO Keith PritchettENG Watford£4,00020 January 1977FWENG Roger CrossENG Millwall£9,50024 February 1977FWENG Micky FrenchENG Swindon Town£7,000Players loaned outDate fromPos.NameToDate toRef.November 1976DFENG Paul BenceENG Torquay UnitedJanuary 1977April 1977MFENG Paul WalkerENG Slough TownEnd of seasonPaul Walker https://www.sloughtownfc.net/profile/1362/Paul-Walker 12 February 2017 Slough Town FC enPlayers releasedDatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.September 1976DFENG Gordon RiddickRetiredOctober 1976MFENG Harry RedknappUSA Seattle Sounders1976February 1977DFENG Gordon RiddickENG Wealdstone1977March 1977DFENG Paul BenceENG Wokingham Town1977March 1977MFENG Terry ScalesENG Dagenham1977May 1977DFENG Bobby GoldthorpeENG Hayes1977May 1977GKENG Paul PriddyENG Tooting & Mitcham United1977May 1977DFSCO Tom Sharpn/an/a Awards Supporters' Player of the Year: Gordon SweetzerCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 295. Players' Player of the Year: Jackie Graham References Category:Brentford F.C. seasons Brentford