1972–73 Brentford F.C. season

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.

Brentford
1972–73 season
ChairmanLes Davey &
Walter Wheatley
ManagerFrank Blunstone
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division22nd (relegated)
FA CupFirst round
League CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Docherty,
Murray (7)
All: Docherty (8)
Highest home attendance11,803
Lowest home attendance6,067
Average home league attendance8,742

Season summary
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.[1] 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.[1] Blunstone turned down the chance to become assistant manager at Everton during the off-season.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1] Gary Huxley would win an England Youth cap during the season.[1]

Despite losing and drawing the first two league matches of the season, three consecutive wins put Brentford in 2nd position by 2 September 1972.[2] 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.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1]

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.[1] 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
20 Halifax Town 46 13 15 18 43 53 0.811 41
21 Rotherham United 46 17 7 22 51 65 0.785 41 Relegated
22 Brentford 46 15 7 24 51 69 0.739 37
23 Swansea City 46 14 9 23 51 73 0.699 37
24 Scunthorpe United 46 10 10 26 33 72 0.458 30
Source: rsssf.com

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Pre-season
DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
29 July 1972PortsmouthH0–1 n/a
1 August 1972Hillingdon BoroughA2–1 n/aAllen, Murray (pen)
5 August 1972AldershotA1–1 2,730Allen
8 August 1972AshfordA1–4 n/aMurray (pen)

Football League Third Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 12 August 1972Halifax TownH0–1 10,164
2 19 August 1972Oldham AthleticA1–1 6,106Houston
3 26 August 1972Blackburn RoversH4–0 9,427Arentoft (og), Houston, O'Mara, Graham
4 28 August 1972Bolton WanderersH2–1 11,803Allen, Murray
5 2 September 1972Plymouth ArgyleA1–0 7,833Murray
6 9 September 1972Swansea City H0–2 9,986
7 16 September 1972Port ValeA0–1 4,663
8 20 September 1972ChesterfieldA0–3 6,507
9 23 September 1972BournemouthH1–1 11,100Docherty
10 25 September 1972Bristol RoversH2–1 9,720Docherty, Jenkins
11 30 September 1972Notts CountyA0–1 8,152
12 7 October 1972Scunthorpe UnitedA0–1 3,378
13 9 October 1972Tranmere RoversH2–0 8,154Docherty, D'Arcy (og)
14 14 October 1972Walsall H2–0 9,493Houston, Docherty
15 21 October 1972Southend UnitedA0–4 7,205
16 28 October 1972RochdaleH1–0 9,201Docherty
17 4 November 1972Bristol Rovers A1–3 7,916Houston
18 11 November 1972Chesterfield H3–1 8,078Murray (pen), Webb, Houston
19 25 November 1972York CityH2–0 7,111Webb, Graham
20 28 November 1972Charlton Athletic A1–2 6,192Docherty
21 2 December 1972Shrewsbury Town A0–2 2,079
22 16 December 1972Grimsby TownA0–4 9,110
23 23 December 1972WrexhamH1–0 6,067Docherty
24 26 December 1972BournemouthA2–3 14,372Houston, Graham
25 30 December 1972Oldham AthleticH1–1 7,719Webb
26 6 January 1973 Blackburn Rovers A 1–2 6,534 Graham
27 13 January 1973 Rotherham United H 1–1 7,446 Cross
28 20 January 1973Plymouth ArgyleH0–2 7,075
39 26 January 1973Swansea CityA1–2 2,119Murray
30 2 February 1973Tranmere RoversA2–6 6,650Court, Murray
31 10 February 1973Port ValeH5–0 6,694Woon (3), Graham, Salvage
32 24 February 1973Grimsby TownH0–1 9,302
33 26 February 1973Charlton AthleticH1–0 9,929Salvage
34 3 March 1973Scunthorpe UnitedH1–0 7,896Murray
35 6 March 1973Rotherham UnitedA1–2 3,758Webb
36 10 March 1973WalsallA0–3 4,192
37 17 March 1973Southend United H1–2 8,051Cross
38 19 March 1973 Watford H 1–1 8,232 Cross
39 24 March 1973RochdaleA1–0 1,747Allen
40 31 March 1973York City A1–0 2,307Allen
41 4 April 1973Halifax TownA2–3 970Webb, Allen
42 7 April 1973Shrewsbury TownH1–2 6,758Salvage
43 14 April 1973WatfordA2–2 7,813Cross, Murray
44 20 April 1973Notts County H1–1 11,658Graham
45 23 April 1973 Wrexham A 1–4 2,611 Webb
46 28 April 1973Bolton Wanderers A0–2 21,917

FA Cup
Main article: 1972–73 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer
1R18 November 1972Yeovil Town A1–2 9,447 Allen

Football League Cup
Main article: 1972–73 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer
1R 16 August 1972 Cambridge United H 1–0 7,750 Docherty
2R5 September 1972Rotherham United A0–2 4,996
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[4] The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,[5] Statto

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1972–73 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gordon Phillips (1946-11-17)17 November 1946 (aged 25) Hayes 1963
GK Paul Priddy (1953-07-11)11 July 1953 (aged 19) Maidenhead United 1972
Defenders
DF Peter Gelson (1941-10-18)18 October 1941 (aged 30) Youth 1961
DF Alan Hawley (c) (1946-06-07)7 June 1946 (aged 26) Youth 1962
DF Alan Nelmes (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 23) Chelsea 1967
DF Terry Scales (1951-01-18)18 January 1951 (aged 21) West Ham United 1971
Midfielders
MF Michael Allen (1949-03-30)30 March 1949 (aged 23) Middlesbrough 1971
MF Paul Bence (1948-12-21)21 December 1948 (aged 23) Reading 1970
MF David Court (1944-03-01)1 March 1944 (aged 28) Luton Town 1972
MF John Docherty (1940-04-29)29 April 1940 (aged 32) Reading 1970
MF Jackie Graham (1946-07-16)16 July 1946 (aged 26) Guildford City 1970
MF David Jenkins (1946-09-02)2 September 1946 (aged 25) Tottenham Hotspur 1972 Loaned to Hereford United
MF Alan Murray (1949-11-05)5 November 1949 (aged 22) York City 1972
MF Barry Salvage (1946-12-21)21 December 1946 (aged 25) Queens Park Rangers 1973
Forwards
FW Roger Cross (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 23) Fulham 1973
FW Stewart Houston (1949-08-20)20 August 1949 (aged 22) Chelsea 1972
FW Stan Webb (1947-12-06)6 December 1947 (aged 24) Carlisle United 1972
FW Andy Woon (1952-06-26)26 June 1952 (aged 20) Bognor Regis Town 1973
Players who left the club mid-season
GK Kieron Baker (1949-10-29)29 October 1949 (aged 22) Bournemouth 1972 Returned to Bournemouth after loan
FW John O'Mara (1947-03-19)19 March 1947 (aged 25) Wimbledon 1971 Transferred to Blackburn Rovers
FW Bobby Ross (1942-05-10)10 May 1942 (aged 30) Shrewsbury Town 1966 Released
  • Sources: The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,[6] Timeless Bees[7]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Frank Blunstone Manager
Eddie Lyons Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Substitute appearances in brackets.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Gordon Phillips 15 0 1 0 0 0 16 0
GK Paul Priddy 25 0 0 0 2 0 27 0
DF Peter Gelson 41 (1) 0 1 0 2 0 44 (1) 0
DF Alan Hawley 43 0 0 0 2 0 45 0
DF Alan Nelmes 35 (1) 0 1 0 2 0 38 (1) 0
DF Terry Scales 41 0 1 0 2 0 44 0
MF Michael Allen 26 4 1 1 1 0 28 5
MF Paul Bence 33 (3) 0 0 0 1 0 34 (3) 0
MF David Court 8 (4) 1 0 0 1 0 9 (4) 1
MF John Docherty 34 (2) 7 1 0 1 1 36 (2) 8
MF Jackie Graham 30 (1) 6 1 0 2 0 33 (1) 6
MF David Jenkins 13 (5) 1 0 0 1 0 14 (5) 1
MF Alan Murray 42 (3) 7 1 0 2 0 45 (3) 7
MF Barry Salvage 16 3 — — 16 3
FW Roger Cross 19 4 — — 19 4
FW Stewart Houston 39 6 1 0 2 0 42 6
FW John O'Mara 4 1 — 1 0 5 1
FW Bobby Ross 7 0 — 1 (1) 0 8 (1) 0
FW Stan Webb 24 6 1 0 — 25 6
FW Andy Woon 5 (1) 3 — — 5 (1) 3
Players loaned in during the season
GK Kieron Baker 6 0 — — 6 0
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[4]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC FLC Total
MF John Docherty 7 0 1 8
MF Alan Murray 7 0 0 7
MF Jackie Graham 6 0 0 6
FW Stewart Houston 6 0 0 6
FW Stan Webb 6 0 0 6
MF Michael Allen 5 1 0 6
FW Roger Cross 4 — — 4
MF Barry Salvage 3 — — 3
FW Andy Woon 3 — — 3
FW John O'Mara 1 — 0 1
MF David Court 1 0 0 1
MF David Jenkins 1 0 0 1
Opponents 2 0 0 2
Total511 153
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[4]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Frank Blunstone 12 August 1972 28 April 1973 49 16 7 26 032.65 46 15 7 24 032.61

Summary
Games played49 (46 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games won16 (15 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Games drawn7 (7 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games lost26 (24 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored53 (51 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals conceded73 (69 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Clean sheets13 (12 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Biggest league win5–0 versus Port Vale, 10 February 1973
Worst league defeat4–0 on two occasions; 6–2 versus Tranmere Rovers, 2 February 1973
Most appearances48, Alan Murray (45 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Top scorer (league)7, John Docherty, Alan Murray
Top scorer (all competitions)8, John Docherty

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
June 1972 MF Alan Murray Middlesbrough Free [8]
July 1972 MF David Jenkins Tottenham Hotspur Free [8]
August 1972 MF David Court Luton Town Free [8]
October 1972 MF Billy Stagg n/a n/a [8]
October 1972 FW Stan Webb Carlisle United £10,000 [8]
1972 FW Stewart Houston Chelsea £15,000 [8]
1972 FW Roy Cotton Tottenham Hotspur n/a [9]
January 1973 FW Roger Cross Fulham £16,000 [8]
February 1973 MF Barry Salvage Queens Park Rangers £9,000 [8]
February 1973 FW Andy Woon Bognor Regis Town £1,000 [10]
Players loaned in
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
February 1973 GK Kieron Baker Bournemouth March 1973 [8]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
12 September 1972 FW John O'Mara Blackburn Rovers £50,000 [1]
Players loaned out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
March 1973 MF David Jenkins Hereford United End of season [8]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
October 1972 FW Bobby Ross Cambridge United October 1972 [8]
May 1973 MF David Court Barnet 1973 [8]
May 1973 MF Alan Murray Doncaster Rovers July 1973 [8]
May 1973 GK Gordon Phillips Hillingdon Borough 1973 [8]

Awards

References
  1. White, p. 288-291.
  2. "Brentford results for the 1972-1973 season - Statto.com". Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  3. "Brentford scoring and sequence records - Statto.com". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  4. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 392. ISBN 0951526200.
  5. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 58-69.
  6. Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. ISBN 978-1906796709.
  7. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  8. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 70-74.
  9. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 358.
  10. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 266.
  11. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 295.
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