1957–58 Brentford F.C. season

English football team season April 2025 November 2016 Brentford 1957–58 Malky MacDonald Frank Davis Griffin Park Third Division South 2nd FA Cup First round Towers (29) Towers (29) 25,744 9,130 13,084 _red_stripes _redstripes2 _red_stripes _redtop_2whitestripes 000000 000000 1956–57 1958–59 During the 1957–58 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. The Bees finished as runners-up to Brighton & Hove Albion and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Second Division. Season summary After the departure of Bill Dodgin Sr, Brentford recruited Kilmarnock manager Malky MacDonald for their vacant managerial position in May 1957.White 1989 225-228 MacDonald was no stranger to Griffin Park, having spent just under three years as a player-coach with the Bees between 1946 and 1949.White 1989 225-228 First on MacDonald's list of priorities was to ensure that Brentford finished in the top half of the Third Division South table, to avoid becoming founder members of the new Fourth Division in the following season.White 1989 225-228 Ageing and injury-ravaged players Sid Tickridge, Wally Bragg and Frank Dudley were released, while Jeff Taylor, the club's second-leading scorer in each of the previous two seasons, elected to retire and pursue a career in opera.White 1989 225-228 MacDonald recruited former Brentford player Fred Monk as trainer and made just one signing of note, full back Tom Wilson from Fulham, whom he named captain.White 1989 225-228 Ken Horne, Ian Dargie and Johnny Rainford (three players who had seen their playing time reduced under previous manager Dodgin) would be regulars again under MacDonald during the season. After a mixed start to the season, an unbeaten run of six wins in eight matches in October and November elevated Brentford to 2nd place on 23 November 1957.Brentford results for the 1957–1958 season http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1957-1958/results live https://web.archive.org/web/20161129082840/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1957-1958/results 29 November 2016 24 November 2016 Statto.com The run included a new club record of seven consecutive clean sheets.Haynes Graham A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia 1998 Yore Publications 1 874427 57 7 30 Forwards Jim Towers and George Francis were in prolific form and had scored 24 of the Bees' 37 league goals at that point of the season. After a dip around the turn of the year, Brentford clawed their way back to the higher reaches of the Third Division South table and won six matches in a row in March and early April to move up to 4th. A 1–0 defeat to Torquay United on 7 April put Brentford four points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Bees having played one game more.White 1989 225-228 The damage of draws in the following two matches (versus Southampton and a showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion) was lessened by fellow challengers Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town and Reading all dropping points.White 1989 225-228 The Bees, spurred on by six goals from Jim Towers, won their final three matches of the season versus Reading, Port Vale and leaders Brighton & Hove Albion. The victory over Brighton put Brentford top on 58 points, ahead of Plymouth Argyle and Brighton on goal average. Brighton could still win the title by virtue of their game in hand, which would come versus Watford two days later, whom they had beaten 1–0 at Vicarage Road two days before their match at Griffin Park.Brentford Table on Monday 28th April 1958 http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1957-1958/table/1958-04-28 live https://web.archive.org/web/20161129144014/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1957-1958/table/1958-04-28 29 November 2016 24 November 2016 Statto.com Brighton emphatically beat Watford 6–0 in their final match to win promotion to the Second Division, but the manner of their victories over Watford raised concern and the referee of the first meeting between the clubs wrote to the Football League outlining his suspicions.White 1989 225-228 It wasn't until October 1960 that former Brighton & Hove Albion wing half Glen Wilson revealed to the Daily Mail that some of the Watford players had agreed to "lie down" in exchange for money.White 1989 225-228 Looking back in 2010, Brentford full back Ken Horne summarised the situation:Where Are They Now? Ken Horne – Part 2 http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/WhereAreTheyDetail/0,,10421~2055360,00.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084158/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/WhereAreTheyDetail/0,,10421~2055360,00.html 15 February 2018 27 March 2017 Jimmy Bowie, a betting man, went to Watford and said (so he claimed) we can offer you money to go out and beat Brighton for us. Jimmy named his price and got told – "We get more than that for losing to Brighton". There was a lot of trouble after that match with the Watford captain. There was a lad making his debut for Brighton and Meadows, who was captain of Watford and who Jimmy had spoken to, was marking him. This lad was making his debut and scored five goals...in the first half. League table 1957–58 Football League Third Division South Third Division South y BRE Results Brentford's goal tally listed first. Legend WinDrawLoss Friendlies DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)Notes10 May 1958St MirrenA1–4n/an/aPaisley Charity Cup.Paisley Charity Cup http://sfha.org.uk/paisleycharity.htm 10 April 2025 sfha.org.uk nb Football League Third Division South No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)124 August 1957Queens Park RangersA0–115,734227 August 1957Exeter CityH1–012,307Simpson (og)331 August 1957Colchester UnitedH3–312,732Newcombe, Towers (2)44 September 1957Exeter CityA5–38,498Towers (2), Francis, Parsons (2)57 September 1957Norwich CityA2–319,150Francis (2)610 September 1957Northampton TownH7–110,697Parsons, Rainford (2), Towers (2), Francis (2)714 September 1957Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH4–213,733Francis (3), Newcombe816 September 1957Northampton TownA1–34,528Francis921 September 1957WalsallA2–010,775Towers (2)1024 September 1957WatfordA1–47,031Towers1128 September 1957Coventry CityH1–312,094Caven121 October 1957WatfordH0–010,447135 October 1957Shrewsbury TownA2–07,057Francis, Heath1412 October 1957GillinghamH1–012,488Towers1519 October 1957MillwallA1–016,293Rainford1626 October 1957Swindon TownH0–013,676172 November 1957AldershotA2–07,133Francis (2)189 November 1957Plymouth ArgyleH2–015,594Newcombe, Francis1923 November 1957Newport CountyH2–113,603Rainford, Towers2030 November 1957SouthamptonA2–413,690Towers, Francis2114 December 1957Southend UnitedA0–07,9522221 December 1957Queens Park RangersH1–112,804Rutter (og)2325 December 1957Crystal PalaceH0–312,3942426 December 1957Crystal PalaceA1–216,797Coote2528 December 1957Colchester UnitedA1–19,548Francis2611 January 1958Norwich CityH7–111,850Francis (2), Rainford (2), Parsons, Coote, Newcombe2718 January 1958Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–111,090281 February 1958WalsallH2–19,130Rainford, Parsons (pen)298 February 1958Coventry CityA0–09,3913015 February 1958Shrewsbury TownH2–012,842Francis, Parsons3122 February 1958GillinghamA2–36,626Parsons, Towers321 March 1958MillwallH4–112,919Towers (3), Francis338 March 1958Swindon TownA1–412,755Francis3411 March 1958ReadingH2–113,230Towers (2)3515 March 1958AldershotH4–210,482Heath (2), Towers (2)3622 March 1958Newport CountyA2–15,621Heath, Rainford3724 March 1958Port ValeA1–05,149Towers3829 March 1958Southend UnitedH4–212,890Towers (2), Francis (2)394 April 1958Torquay UnitedA1–08,216Towers405 April 1958Plymouth ArgyleA0–020,021417 April 1958Torquay UnitedH0–115,6804212 April 1958SouthamptonH0–011,6634319 April 1958Brighton & Hove AlbionA1–125,613Heath4423 April 1958ReadingA2–112,852Towers (2)4526 April 1958Port ValeH4–111,923Towers (3), Rainford4628 April 1958Brighton & Hove AlbionH1–025,744Goundry FA Cup 1957–58 FA Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance1R16 November 1957MillwallA0–120,097 Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,100 Years Of Brentford Brentford FC 1989 0951526200 White Eric 384 Statto, 11v11 Playing squad Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1957–58 season. Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in NotesGoalkeepersGKGerry CakebreadENG1957 8 24 1936 4 1 yYouth1954GKSonny FeehanIRE1957 8 24 1926 9 17 yNorthampton Town1954DefendersDFAlan BasshamENG1957 8 24 1933 10 3 yYouth1953DFKen HorneENG1957 8 24 1926 6 25 yBlackpool1950DFSid RussellENG1957 8 24 1937 10 4 yJolly X1956DFTom Wilson (c)ENG1957 8 24 1930 7 3 yFulham1957MidfieldersHBGeorge BristowENG1957 8 24 1933 6 25 yYouth1950HBKen CooteENG1957 8 24 1928 5 19 yWembley1949HBIan DargieENG1957 8 24 1931 10 3 yTonbridge1952HBRon PeplowENG1957 8 24 1935 5 4 ySouthall1955ForwardsFWBilly BloomfieldENG1957 8 24 1939 8 25 yYouth1956FWJohn CavenSCO1957 8 24 1934 7 6 yKilmarnock1957FWChristy FletcherIRE1957 8 24 1933 6 14 yCheltenham Town1957FWGeorge FrancisENG1957 8 24 1934 2 4 yYouth1955FWBilly GoundryENG1957 8 24 1934 3 28 yHuddersfield Town1955FWDennis HeathENG1957 8 24 1934 9 28 yYouth1954FWLen NewcombeWAL1957 8 24 1931 2 28 yFulham1956FWEric ParsonsENG1957 8 24 1923 11 9 yChelsea1956FWJohnny RainfordENG1957 8 24 1930 12 11 yCardiff City1953FWJim TowersENG1957 8 24 1933 4 15 yYouth1954Players who left the club mid-seasonHBWendell MorganWAL1957 8 24 1935 4 22 yCardiff City1954Transferred to Gillingham Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford, Timeless BeesHaynes Graham Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 Coumbe Frank Yore Publications 2006 978-0955294914 Coaching staff NameRoleSCO Malky MacDonaldManagerENG Fred MonkTrainerENG Jack HollidayAssistant Trainer Statistics Appearances and goals right Cakebread Wilson (c) Horne Bristow Dargie Coote Parsons Rainford Francis Towers Newcombe Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season. PosNatNameLeagueFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKENGGerry Cakebread45010460GKIRESonny Feehan100010DFENGAlan Bassham200020DFENGKen Horne37010380DFENGSid Russell15000150DFENGTom Wilson27000270HBENGGeorge Bristow41010420HBENGKen Coote45210462HBENGIan Dargie46010470HBWALWendell Morgan50—50HBENGRon Peplow12010130FWENGBilly Bloomfield100010FWSCOJohn Caven610061FWIREChristy Fletcher300030FWENGGeorge Francis4522104622FWENGBilly Goundry12110131FWENGDennis Heath15500155FWWALLen Newcombe37410384FWENGEric Parsons30710317FWENGJohnny Rainford45910469FWENGJim Towers3629003629 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years Of Brentford Goalscorers Pos.NatPlayerFL3FACTotalFWENGJim Towers29029FWENGGeorge Francis22022FWENGJohnny Rainford909FWENGEric Parsons707FWENGDennis Heath505FWWALLen Newcombe404HBENGKen Coote202FWSCOJohn Caven101FWENGBilly Goundry101Opponents202Total82082 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: 100 Years Of Brentford Management NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord LeaguePWDLW %PWDLW %Malky MacDonaldSCO24 August 195728 April 1958 47 24 10 13 46 24 10 12 Summary Games played 47 (46 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)Games won 24 (24 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)Games drawn 10 (10 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)Games lost 13 (12 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)Goals scored 82 (82 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)Goals conceded 57 (56 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)Clean sheets 18 (18 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)Biggest league win 7–1 on two occasionsWorst league defeat 3–0 versus Crystal Palace, 25 December 1957; 4–1 on two occasionsMost appearances 47, Ian Dargie (46 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)Top scorer (league) 29, Jim TowersTop scorer (all competitions) 29, Jim Towers Transfers & loans Players transferred inDatePos.NamePrevious clubFeeRef.July 1957GKENG Reg NewtonENG Tunbridge Wells Rangersn/aHaynes Coumbe 2006 116July 1957DFENG Tom WilsonENG Fulhamn/a21459 Tom Wilson 24 November 2016September 1957FWENG Terry CurranENG Tottenham Hotspurn/aHaynes Coumbe 2006 44October 1957FWSCO John CavenSCO Kilmarnockn/a3275 John Caven 24 November 2016December 1957FWIRE Christy FletcherENG Cheltenham Townn/a6504 Christy Fletcher 24 November 20161957FWENG Paddy WalshENG HayesAmateurPlayers transferred outDatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.July 1957HBENG Terry RobinsonENG Northampton TownAmateur16968 Terry Robinson 23 November 2016September 1957HBWAL Wendell MorganENG Gillinghamn/a13967 Wendell Morgan 12 April 2024Players releasedDatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.July 1957FWENG Jeff TaylorRetired5 July 1957 Annual Meeting Shock For "Bees" Supporters. Taylor Quits Football. The Brentford & Chiswick TimesMay 1958FWENG Frank DudleyENG Folkestone Town195822 August 1958 Arrival And Departure The Brentford & Chiswick TimesMay 1958GKENG Reg NewtonENG Yiewsley1958Haynes Coumbe 2006 116May 1958FWENG John PearsonENG Queens Park RangersJune 1958May 1958n/aRoy YeatmanENG Yiewsley19581958FWENG Paddy WalshENG Southall1958Wainwright – Walters http://www.hyufc.com/features/a_z/hfc/wainwright-walters.html 23 November 2016 Hayes & Yeading United FC: The Official Website Notes References Category:Brentford F.C. seasons Brentford