1995–96 Brentford F.C. season

English football team season December 2024 November 2016 Brentford 1995–96 David Webb Martin Lange Griffin Park Second Division 15th FA Cup Fourth round League Cup Second round Football League Trophy First round Taylor (11) Taylor (16) 7,878 3,104 4,768 _brentford _home_95-96 _brentford _home_95-96 __brentford _home_95-96 _brentford _home_94-95 _brentford _home_94-95 ff0000 ff0000 _brentford_away_94-95 _brentford_away_94-95 __brentford_away_94-95 _brentford_away_94-95 _brentford_away_94-95 ff0000 ff0000 1994–95 1996–97 During the 1995–96 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. After spending over two mid-season months in the relegation places, the club achieved a 15th-place finish. A bright spot was a run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, falling to First Division high-flyers Charlton Athletic. Season summary Brentford began the 1995–96 season with the majority of the squad that finished runners-up in the previous season still intact, with Shane Westley,8417 Shane Westley Simon Ratcliffe and Paul Stephenson the only players to depart.6583 Simon Ratcliffe7596 Paul Stephenson Manager David Webb's only addition to the squad during the off-season was Southend United's teenage left-sided midfielder and full back Ijah Anderson.164 Ijah Anderson 1994–95 top scorer Nicky Forster looked set to depart for First Division club Crystal Palace for a £2,000,000 fee, but the Eagles' interest cooled after multiple rejections by Brentford.8 January 1996 Brentford duo back to the fore en-GB The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/brentford-duo-back-to-the-fore-1322920.html live 13 November 2016 https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/brentford-duo-back-to-the-fore-1322920.html 1 May 2022Long Dan Nicky Forster: The challenges of being Brentford player-manager https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/interviews-nicky-forster-brentford-player-manager-brighton 26 December 2024 www.brentfordfc.com en-gb A win and a draw from the opening two games of the league season put Brentford in its highest league position of the season (6th), but a run of only four wins from the following 21 games left the club second-from-bottom at the mid-point of the season.Brentford results for the 1995–1996 season http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1995-1996/results live https://web.archive.org/web/20160901093431/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1995-1996/results 1 September 2016 2 August 2021 Statto.com With Nicky Forster damaging knee ligaments in October 1995 and his subsequent goalscoring form faltering amid "distracting" transfer speculation,Croxford Lane Waterman 2013 202 Robert Taylor was burdened with leading the team's strikeforce.Street Tim Scott sends warning over Nicky Forster signing https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/other-sport/scott-sends-warning-over-nicky-5996960 12 April 2016 getwestlondon Taylor ended the season as the club's top scorer, with 16 goals.News Of The World Football Annual 1996–97 Invincible Press 1996 000218737X Sewell Albert Hammersmith, London 352 A memorable 2–1 victory over First Division club Norwich City at Carrow Road on in the FA Cup third round on 6 January 1996 provided the spark needed for a revival of the team's league form,Moment in Time: Norwich City https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/moment-in-time-norwich-city_233632 23 December 2017 www.brentfordfc.com en-gb with 19 of a possible 30 points being won between mid-January and mid-March to climb to 13th in the table. Four wins from the final seven matches of the season led Brentford to a 15th-place finish in the Second Division. The FA Cup run ended with a 3–2 defeat at the hands of high-flying First Division club Charlton Athletic in the fourth round. League table 1995–96 Football League Second Division Second Division BRE y Results Brentford's goal tally listed first. Legend WinDrawLoss Pre-season and friendlies DateOpponentVenueResultScorer(s)19 July 1995HamptonA7–0Forster (3), Ashby (2), Statham, Grainger (pen)20 July 1995Basingstoke TownA1–1Ravenscroft22 July 1995St Albans CityA5–1Grainger (2, 1 pen), Taylor, Forster, Stephenson24 July 1995Hitchin TownA3–1Omigie (2), Annon26 July 1995KingstonianA2–1Forster, Grainger28 July 1995Colchester UnitedA1–1Taylor1 August 1995BarnetA2–3Abrahams, Forster5 August 1995YeadingA5–2Ravenscroft (2), Annon, Hooker, Omigie7 August 1995Walton & HershamA4–0Forster, Smith, Taylor, Grainger (pen)30 August 1995Harrow BoroughA5–0Annon (2, 1 pen), Hutchings, Hooker, Omigie Football League Second Division No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)1 12 August 1995 York CityA2–23,239Smith, Forster2 19 August 1995 Oxford UnitedH1–05,516Taylor3 26 August 1995 BurnleyA0–19,5864 29 August 1995 Hull CityH1–04,535Taylor52 September 1995Swindon TownH0–27,87869 September 1995Rotherham UnitedA0–13,0617 12 September 1995 Bristol CityA0–05,0548 16 September 1995 WalsallH1–04,717Taylor923 September 1995Bristol RoversA0–25,1311030 September 1995ChesterfieldH1–24,734McGhee117 October 1995BlackpoolH1–25,313McGhee1214 October 1995Stockport CountyA1–16,228Smith1321 October 1995Peterborough UnitedH3–04,865Bates (2), Grainger (pen)1428 October 1995Crewe AlexandraA1–33,835Forster151 November 1995Notts CountyA0–44,005164 November 1995Shrewsbury TownH0–24,1041718 November 1995BournemouthA0–13,8941825 November 1995Bradford CityH2–14,237Taylor (2)199 December 1995Bristol RoversH0–05,6792016 December 1996ChesterfieldA2–24,016Smith, Ansah2122 December 1996WrexhamA2–23,670Taylor, Martin2226 December 1995Brighton & Hove AlbionH0–15,7942313 January 1996Oxford UnitedA1–25,574Ashby2420 January 1996York CityH2–03,915Bates, Taylor2530 January 1996Wycombe WanderersH1–04,616Taylor263 February 1996BurnleyH1–05,195Forster2710 February 1996Carlisle UnitedA1–25,143Bates2817 February 1996Bristol CityH2–25,213McGhee, Taylor2921 February 1996Swindon TownA2–28,814Abrahams (2)3024 February 1996WalsallA1–03,506Abrahams3127 February 1996Rotherham UnitedH1–13,446Grainger322 March 1996Brighton & Hove AlbionA0–05,914335 March 1996Hull CityA1–02,284Anderson349 March 1996WrexhamH1–04,579Anderson3512 March 1996Swansea CityA1–23,538Forster3616 March 1996Wycombe WanderersA1–24,912Forster3719 March 1996Carlisle UnitedH1–13,104Grainger3823 March 1996Swansea CityH0–04,3783930 March 1996BlackpoolA0–15,899402 April 1996Stockport CountyH1–03,274Smith416 April 1996Crewe AlexandraH2–14,408Taylor (2)428 April 1996Peterborough UnitedA1–04,343McGhee4313 April 1996Notts CountyH0–04,5884420 April 1996Shrewsbury TownA1–22,711McGhee4527 April 1996Bradford CityA1–27,730Bent464 May 1996BournemouthH2–06,091Asaba (2) FA Cup 1995–96 FA Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)R111 November 1995Farnborough TownH1–14,711BentR1 (replay)22 November 1995Farnborough TownA4–03,581Smith, Taylor (2), BentR22 December 1995BournemouthA1–04,451TaylorR36 January 1996Norwich CityA2–110,082Newsome (og), BentR47 February 1996Charlton AthleticA2–315,000Ashby, Smith League Cup 1995–96 Football League Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)R1 (1st leg)15 August 1995WalsallA2–22,405Harvey, ForsterR1 (2nd leg) 22 August 1995WalsallH3–2 (won 5–4 on aggregate)3,549Taylor, Anderson, McGheeR2 (1st leg) 19 September 1995Bolton WanderersA0–15,243R2 (2nd leg) 3 October 1995Bolton WanderersH2–3 (lost 4–2 on aggregate)4,861Forster, Grainger (pen) Football League Trophy 1995–96 Football League Trophy RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)SR1 (match 1)27 September 1995BournemouthA1–01,092TaylorSR1 (match 2)17 October 1995Exeter CityH1–11,431Forster Source: Statto, The Big Brentford Book Of The NinetiesCroxford Lane Waterman 2013 182-199, 460–463 Playing squad Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1995–96 season. Position Name Nationality Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in NotesGoalkeepers GK Kevin Dearden ENG 1995 8 12 1970 3 8 y Tottenham Hotspur1993 GK Tamer Fernandes ENG 1995 8 12 1974 12 7 yYouth1993DefendersDFIjah AndersonENG1995 8 12 1975 12 30 ySouthend United1995DF Barry Ashby ENG 1995 8 12 1970 11 21 y Watford1994DF Jamie Bates (c) ENG 1995 8 12 1968 2 24 yYouth1986DFPaul DavisENG1995 8 12 1961 12 9 yArsenal1995DFLee HarveyENG1995 8 12 1966 12 21 yNottingham Forest1993DF Carl Hutchings ENG 1995 8 12 1974 9 24 yYouth1993DF Brian Statham ENG 1995 8 12 1969 5 21 y Tottenham Hotspur1992MidfieldersMF Paul Abrahams ENG 1995 8 12 1973 10 31 y Colchester United1995 Loaned to Colchester UnitedMFJon HookerENG1995 8 12 1972 3 31 yGillingham1994Loaned to Bishop's StortfordMF Gus Hurdle BAR 1995 8 12 1973 10 14 y Carshalton Athletic1993MF Dean Martin ENG 1995 8 12 1972 8 31 yes KA1995MFDavid McGheeENG1995 8 12 1976 6 19 yYouth1994MF Craig Ravenscroft ENG 1995 8 12 1974 12 20 yYouth1993MF Paul Smith ENG 1995 8 12 1971 9 18 y Southend United1993ForwardsFW Carl Asaba ENG 1995 8 12 1973 1 28 y Dulwich Hamlet1994 FW Marcus Bent ENG 1995 8 12 1978 5 19 yYouth1995 FW Nicky Forster ENG 1995 8 12 1973 9 8 y Gillingham1994 FW Joe Omigie ENG 1995 8 12 1972 6 13 y Donna1994Loaned to WokingFW Robert Taylor ENG 1995 8 12 1971 4 30 y Leyton Orient1994Players who left the club mid-seasonDF Martin Grainger ENG 1995 8 12 1972 8 23 y Colchester United1993Transferred to Birmingham CityMFDarren AnnonENG1995 8 12 1972 2 17 yCarshalton Athletic1994ReleasedMFAndy AnsahENG1995 8 12 1969 3 19 ySouthend United1995Returned to Southend United after loanMFScott CanhamENG1995 8 12 1974 11 11 yWest Ham United1996Returned to West Ham United after loanMFDavid GreeneIRL1995 8 12 1973 10 26 yLuton Town1996Returned to Luton Town after loanMFDenny MundeeENG1995 8 12 1968 10 10 yBournemouth1993ReleasedFWAndy SussexENG1995 8 12 1964 11 23 ySouthend United1995Returned to Southend United after loan Source: The Big Brentford Book Of The NinetiesCroxford Lane Waterman 2013 481 Coaching staff NameRoleENG David WebbManagerENG Kevin LockFirst Team CoachENG Graham BensteadGoalkeeping CoachENG Roy JohnsonPhysiotherapistENG Fergus DignanMedical Officer Statistics Appearances and goals Substitute appearances in brackets. PosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupFL TrophyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKENGKevin Dearden410303010480GKENGTamer Fernandes5020001070DFENGIjah Anderson2521 (2)0210 (1)028 (3)3DFENGBarry Ashby31 (2)141402041 (2)2DFENGJamie Bates364504020474DFENGPaul Davis5000201080DFENGMartin Grainger333504120444DFENGLee Harvey38 (2)04 (1)02 (1)11045 (4)1DFENGCarl Hutchings20 (3)050000 (1)025 (4)0DFENGBrian Statham170104020240MFENGPaul Abrahams14 (3)300000014 (3)3MFENGDarren Annon0 (1)00000000 (1)0MFENGMarcus Bent8 (4)143000012 (4)4MFENGJon Hooker400 (2)010005 (2)0MFBARGus Hurdle11 (3)000200013 (3)0MFENGDean Martin14 (5)14 (1)0—1018 (6)1MFENGDavid McGhee31 (5)5402 (1)11 (1)038 (7)6MFENGDenny Mundee5 (1)0—1 (1)0006 (2)0MFENGCraig Ravenscroft1000000010MFENGPaul Smith464524020576FWENGCarl Asaba5 (5)21010108 (5)2FWENGNicky Forster37 (1)530422146 (1)8FWENGJoe Omigie3 (8)00000003 (8)0FWENGRobert Taylor42114341215216Players loaned in during the seasonMFENGAndy Ansah61———61MFENGScott Canham140———140MFIRLDavid Greene110———110FWENGAndy Sussex30———30 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: The Big Brentford Book Of The NinetiesCroxford Lane Waterman 2013 481 Goalscorers Pos.NatPlayerFL2FACFLCFLTTotalFWENGRobert Taylor1131116FWENGNicky Forster50218MFENGDavid McGhee50106MFENGPaul Smith42006DFENGJamie Bates40004DFENGMartin Grainger30104MFENGMarcus Bent13004MFENGPaul Abrahams30003DFENGIjah Anderson20103FWENGCarl Asaba20012DFENGBarry Ashby11002FWENGAndy Ansah1———1FWENGDean Martin10—01MFENGLee Harvey00101Opponents01001Total43117263 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: The Big Brentford Book Of The NinetiesCroxford Lane Waterman 2013 481 International caps PosNatPlayerCapsGoalsRefMFBARGus Hurdle20632 Gus Hurdle 21 September 2025 Management NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord LeaguePWDLW %PWDLW %David WebbENG12 August 19954 May 1996 57 20 16 21 46 15 13 18 Summary Games played 57 (46 Second Division, 5 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)Games won 20 (15 Second Division, 3 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)Games drawn 16 (13 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)Games lost 21 (18 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy)Goals scored 62 (43 Second Division, 10 FA Cup, 7 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)Goals conceded 63 (49 Second Division, 5 FA Cup, 8 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)Clean sheets 21 (18 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)Biggest league win 3–0 versus Peterborough United, 21 October 1995Worst league defeat 4–0 versus Notts County, 1 November 1995Most appearances 63, Paul Smith (46 Second Division, 5 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)Top scorer (league) 11, Robert TaylorTop scorer (all competitions) 16, Robert Taylor Transfers & loans Players transferred inDatePos.NamePrevious clubFeeRef.31 July 1995DFENG Ijah AndersonENG Southend UnitedFree12 September 1995MFENG Paul DavisENG ArsenalFree1960 Paul Davis12 October 1995MFENG Dean MartinISL KAFree4853 Dean MartinPlayers loaned inDate fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.15 November 1995FWENG Andy AnsahENG Southend United27 December 1995204 Andy Ansah12 December 1995FWENG Andy SussexENG Southend United12 January 1996Andy Sussex http://www.11v11.com/players/andy-sussex-18328/ 13 April 2016 11v11.com19 January 1996MFENG Scott CanhamENG West Ham United20 April 1996Scott Canham http://www.11v11.com/players/scott-canham-14883/ 13 April 2016 11v11.com1 March 1996MFIRL David GreeneENG Luton Town13 April 1996David Greene http://www.11v11.com/players/david-greene-4914/ 13 April 2016 11v11.comPlayers transferred outDatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.4 August 1995MFENG Simon RatcliffeENG GillinghamFree7 August 1995MFENG Paul StephensonENG York City£35,00010 August 1995DFENG Shane WestleyENG Cambridge UnitedFree25 March 1996DFENG Martin GraingerENG Birmingham City£400,0003015 Martin GraingerPlayers loaned outDate fromPos.NameToDate toRef.September 1995MFENG Joe OmigieENG WokingOctober 1995Croxford Mark The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties Lane David Waterman Greville Legends Publishing 2013 9781906796723 Sunbury, Middlesex 20129 December 1995MFENG Paul AbrahamsENG Colchester United20 February 199610 Paul AbrahamsPlayers releasedDatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.18 October 1995MFENG Denny MundeeENG Brighton & Hove Albion19 October 19955681 Denny Mundee29 February 1996MFENG Darren AnnonENG KingstonianMarch 1996Darren Annon http://www.margatefootballclubhistory.com/darrenannon.shtml 13 November 201630 June 1996DFENG Corey CampbellENG Dover Athletic1996Griffin Gazette versus AFC Bournemouth 4 May 1996 Quay Design of Poole 230 June 1996MFENG Paul DavisRetiredPaul Davis https://www.arsenal.com/historic/players/paul-davis 13 April 2016 Arsenal.com30 June 1996MFENG Jon HookerENG Bishop's Stortford199630 June 1996MFENG Dean Martin ISL KA199630 June 1996MFENG Craig RavenscroftENG KingstonianAugust 1996 Kit Core Ericsson |_brentford_home_95-96 _brentford_home_95-96 _brentford_home_95-96 _brentford_home_94-95 _brentford_home_94-95 Home |_brentford_away_94-95 _brentford_away_94-95 _brentford_away_94-95 _brentford_away_94-95 _brentford_away_94-95 Away |_brentford_gk_95-96 _brentford_GK_95-96 _brentford_gk_95-96 _brentford_GK_95-96 000000 Goalkeeper Brentford F.C. May 2020 Awards Supporters' Player of the Year: Robert Taylor Star Player of the Year: Ijah AndersonBrentford's Official Matchday Magazine versus Peterborough United 3 May 1997 3 Littlewoods Giant Killers Award: FA Cup third round References Category:Brentford F.C. seasons Brentford