1972–73 Brentford F.C. season

English football team season June 2020 Brentford 1972–73 Frank Blunstone Les Davey &Walter Wheatley Griffin Park Third Division 22nd (relegated) FA Cup First round League Cup Second round Docherty,Murray (7) Docherty (8) 11,803 6,067 8,742 _red_stripes _redstripes2 _red_stripes _white stripes _redtop_2whitestripes 000000 000000 1971–72 1973–74 During the 1972–73 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The early-season departures of goalscorers John O'Mara and Bobby Ross and 15 consecutive away league defeats led to Brentford's relegation straight back to the Fourth Division. Season summary thumb|upright|The signing of former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur winger David Jenkins promised much, but he left the club on loan in March 1973. Brentford's promotion to the Third Division at the end of the 1971–72 season meant that the club would compete in the third-tier for the first time since 1965–66.White, p. 288-291. Self-imposed financial austerity since the club's relegation to the Fourth Division had enabled the club's large debts to be paid off, but despite promotion and increasing attendances, manager Frank Blunstone would again be forced to maintain a small playing squad. Blunstone turned down the chance to become assistant manager at Everton during the off-season. Released in the wake of the promotion were defender Steven Tom, midfielder Brian Turner and winger Gordon Neilson and in came amateur goalkeeper Paul Priddy, midfielders David Court and Alan Murray, winger David Jenkins and Stewart Houston's loan was turned into a permanent transfer for a £15,000 fee. The Brentford youth team was also reactivated after being disbanded due to the budget cuts of 1967, with Kevin Harding, Richard Poole and Graham Pearce being taken on as apprentices. Gary Huxley would win an England Youth cap during the season. Despite losing and drawing the first two league matches of the season, three consecutive wins put Brentford in 2nd position by 2 September 1972.Brentford results for the 1972-1973 season http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1972-1973/results live https://web.archive.org/web/20160320191926/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1972-1973/results 20 March 2016 8 February 2017 Statto.com 10 days later, forward John O'Mara, the previous season's Gallagher's Divisional Footballer Of The Year, was sold to Third Division rivals Blackburn Rovers for a club-record £50,000 fee. Given that Chelsea had recently paid Southend United £100,000 for 25-goal forward Bill Garner, it was felt amongst the Brentford supporters that O'Mara had been sold cheaply. The loss of O'Mara's goals and the departure of captain Bobby Ross shortly afterwards contributed a great deal to Brentford's relegation at the end of the season, given that the two players had scored over half of Brentford's goals during the previous campaign. By early October 1972, Brentford were in the bottom-six of the Third Division, but a profit of nearly £80,000 from the first eight league matches of the season and the £50,000 from the sale of John O'Mara allowed manager Frank Blunstone to pay £10,000 for Carlisle United forward Stan Webb. By mid-December, Blunstone had just 12 fit players available and despite spending over a further £25,000 on attackers Roger Cross, Barry Salvage and Andy Woon, Brentford's slide towards relegation continued through the early months of 1973. The mid-season signings failed to help arrest the slump and Brentford were relegated after taking just two points from the final six matches of the season. Aside from the lack of goals (winger John Docherty top-scored with 8), Brentford lost 15 consecutive away league matches during the season, a new club record.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 8 February 2017 Statto.com League table 1972–73 Football League Third Division Third Division y BRE Results Brentford's goal tally listed first. Legend WinDrawLoss Pre-season and friendlies DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)29 July 1972PortsmouthH0–1n/a1 August 1972Hillingdon BoroughA2–1n/aAllen, Murray (pen)5 August 1972AldershotA1–12,730Allen8 August 1972AshfordA1–4n/aMurray (pen)18 October 1972HamptonA2–3n/aMurray, Proctor9 December 1972Exeter CityA0–1n/a4 May 1973EvertonH3–03,035Salvage, Woon, Bence Football League Third Division No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)112 August 1972Halifax TownH0–110,164219 August 1972Oldham AthleticA1–16,106Houston326 August 1972Blackburn RoversH4–09,427Arentoft (og), Houston, O'Mara, Graham428 August 1972Bolton WanderersH2–111,803Allen, Murray52 September 1972Plymouth ArgyleA1–07,833Murray69 September 1972Swansea CityH0–29,986716 September 1972Port ValeA0–14,663820 September 1972ChesterfieldA0–36,507923 September 1972BournemouthH1–111,100Docherty1025 September 1972Bristol RoversH2–19,720Docherty, Jenkins1130 September 1972Notts CountyA0–18,152127 October 1972Scunthorpe UnitedA0–13,378139 October 1972Tranmere RoversH2–08,154Docherty, D'Arcy (og)1414 October 1972WalsallH2–09,493Houston, Docherty1521 October 1972Southend UnitedA0–47,2051628 October 1972RochdaleH1–09,201Docherty174 November 1972Bristol RoversA1–37,916Houston1811 November 1972ChesterfieldH3–18,078Murray (pen), Webb, Houston1925 November 1972York CityH2–07,111Webb, Graham2028 November 1972Charlton AthleticA1–26,192Docherty212 December 1972Shrewsbury TownA0–22,0792216 December 1972Grimsby TownA0–49,1102323 December 1972WrexhamH1–06,067Docherty2426 December 1972BournemouthA2–314,372Houston, Graham2530 December 1972Oldham AthleticH1–17,719Webb266 January 1973Blackburn RoversA1–26,534Graham2713 January 1973Rotherham UnitedH1–17,446Cross2820 January 1973Plymouth ArgyleH0–27,0753926 January 1973Swansea CityA1–22,119Murray302 February 1973Tranmere RoversA2–66,650Court, Murray3110 February 1973Port ValeH5–06,694Woon (3), Graham, Salvage3224 February 1973Grimsby TownH0–19,3023326 February 1973Charlton AthleticH1–09,929Salvage343 March 1973Scunthorpe UnitedH1–07,896Murray356 March 1973Rotherham UnitedA1–23,758Webb3610 March 1973WalsallA0–34,1923717 March 1973Southend UnitedH1–28,051Cross3819 March 1973WatfordH1–18,232Cross3924 March 1973RochdaleA1–01,747Allen4031 March 1973York CityA1–02,307Allen414 April 1973Halifax TownA2–3970Webb, Allen427 April 1973Shrewsbury TownH1–26,758Salvage4314 April 1973WatfordA2–27,813Cross, Murray4420 April 1973Notts CountyH1–111,658Graham4523 April 1973WrexhamA1–42,611Webb4628 April 1973Bolton WanderersA0–221,917 FA Cup 1972–73 FA Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer1R18 November 1972Yeovil TownA1–29,447Allen Football League Cup 1972–73 Football League Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer1R16 August 1972Cambridge UnitedH1–07,750Docherty2R5 September 1972Rotherham UnitedA0–24,996 Sources: 100 Years of Brentford, The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 58-69.Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 301-302. Statto Playing squad Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1972–73 season. Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotesGoalkeepersGKGordon PhillipsENG1972 8 12 1946 11 17 yHayes1963GKPaul PriddyENG1972 8 12 1953 7 11 yMaidenhead United1972DefendersDFPeter GelsonENG1972 8 12 1941 10 18 yYouth1961DFAlan Hawley (c)ENG1972 8 12 1946 6 7 yYouth1962DFAlan NelmesENG1972 8 12 1948 10 20 yChelsea1967DFTerry ScalesENG1972 8 12 1951 1 18 yWest Ham United1971MidfieldersMFMichael AllenENG1972 8 12 1949 3 30 yMiddlesbrough1971MFPaul BenceENG1972 8 12 1948 12 21 yReading1970MFDavid CourtENG1972 8 12 1944 3 1 yLuton Town1972MFJohn DochertySCO1972 8 12 1940 4 29 yReading1970MFJackie GrahamSCO1972 8 12 1946 7 16 yGuildford City1970MFDavid JenkinsENG1972 8 12 1946 9 2 yTottenham Hotspur1972Loaned to Hereford UnitedMFAlan MurrayENG1972 8 12 1949 11 5 yYork City1972MFBarry SalvageENG1972 8 12 1946 12 21 yQueens Park Rangers1973ForwardsFWRoger CrossENG1972 8 12 1948 10 20 yFulham1973FWStewart HoustonSCO1972 8 12 1949 8 20 yChelsea1972FWStan WebbENG1972 8 12 1947 12 6 yCarlisle United1972FWAndy WoonENG1972 8 12 1952 6 26 yBognor Regis Town1973Players who left the club mid-seasonGKKieron BakerENG1972 8 12 1949 10 29 yBournemouth1972Returned to Bournemouth after loanFWJohn O'MaraENG1972 8 12 1947 3 19 yWimbledon1971Transferred to Blackburn RoversFWBobby RossSCO1972 8 12 1942 5 10 yShrewsbury Town1966Released 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 Phillips1501000160GKENGPaul Priddy2500020270DFENGPeter Gelson41 (1)0102044 (1)0DFENGAlan Hawley4300020450DFENGAlan Nelmes35 (1)0102038 (1)0DFENGTerry Scales4101020440MFENGMichael Allen2641110285MFENGPaul Bence33 (3)0001034 (3)0MFENGDavid Court8 (4)100109 (4)1MFSCOJohn Docherty34 (2)7101136 (2)8MFSCOJackie Graham30 (1)6102033 (1)6MFENGDavid Jenkins13 (5)1001014 (5)1MFENGAlan Murray42 (3)7102045 (3)7MFENGBarry Salvage163——163FWENGRoger Cross194——194FWSCOStewart Houston3961020426FWENGJohn O'Mara41—1051FWSCOBobby Ross70—1 (1)08 (1)0FWENGStan Webb24610—256FWENGAndy Woon5 (1)3——5 (1)3Players loaned in during the seasonGKENGKieron Baker60——60 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years of Brentford100 Years Of Brentford Brentford FC 1989 0951526200 White Eric 392 Goalscorers Pos.NatPlayerFL3FACFLCTotalMFSCOJohn Docherty7018MFENGAlan Murray7007MFSCOJackie Graham6006FWSCOStewart Houston6006FWENGStan Webb6006MFENGMichael Allen5106FWENGRoger Cross4——4MFENGBarry Salvage3——3FWENGAndy Woon3——3FWENGJohn O'Mara1—01MFENGDavid Court1001MFENGDavid Jenkins1001Opponents2002Total511153 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years of Brentford Management NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord LeaguePWDLW %PWDLW %Frank BlunstoneENG12 August 197228 April 1973 49 16 7 26 46 15 7 24 Summary Games played 49 (46 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Games won 16 (15 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Games drawn 7 (7 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Games lost 26 (24 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals scored 53 (51 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals conceded 73 (69 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Clean sheets 13 (12 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Biggest league win 5–0 versus Port Vale, 10 February 1973Worst league defeat 4–0 on two occasions; 6–2 versus Tranmere Rovers, 2 February 1973Most appearances 48, Alan Murray (45 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Top scorer (league) 7, John Docherty, Alan MurrayTop scorer (all competitions) 8, John Docherty Transfers & loans Players transferred inDatePos.NamePrevious clubFeeRef.June 1972MFENG Alan MurrayENG MiddlesbroughFreeCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 70-74.July 1972MFENG David JenkinsENG Tottenham HotspurFreeAugust 1972MFENG David CourtENG Luton TownFreeOctober 1972MFENG Billy Staggn/an/aOctober 1972FWENG Stan WebbENG Carlisle United£10,0001972FWSCO Stewart HoustonENG Chelsea£15,0001972FWENG Roy CottonENG Tottenham Hotspurn/aCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 358.January 1973FWENG Roger CrossENG Fulham£16,000February 1973MFENG Barry SalvageENG Queens Park Rangers£9,000February 1973FWENG Andy WoonENG Bognor Regis Town£1,000Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 266.Players loaned inDate fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.February 1973GKENG Kieron BakerENG BournemouthMarch 1973Players transferred outDatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.12 September 1972FWENG John O'MaraENG Blackburn Rovers£50,000Players loaned outDate fromPos.NameToDate toRef.March 1973MFENG David JenkinsENG Hereford UnitedEnd of seasonPlayers releasedDatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.October 1972FWSCO Bobby RossENG Cambridge UnitedOctober 1972May 1973MFENG David CourtENG Barnet1973May 1973MFENG Alan MurrayENG Doncaster RoversJuly 1973May 1973GKENG Gordon PhillipsENG Hillingdon Borough1973 Awards Supporters' Player of the Year: Peter GelsonCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 295. Players' Player of the Year: Paul Bence References Category:Brentford F.C. seasons Brentford