1974–75 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1974–75 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. After a poor first half of the season, manager Mike Everitt was sacked and replaced by John Docherty, who produced a strong run of results to finish the campaign in 8th place.

Brentford
1974–75 season
ChairmanLes Davey
(until November 1974)
Dan Tana
(from November 1974)
ManagerMike Everitt
(until 16 January 1975)
Jess Willard
(16–20 January 1975)
John Docherty
(from 20 January 1975)
StadiumGriffin Park
Fourth Division8th
FA CupSecond round
League CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Simmons (12)
All: Simmons (13)
Highest home attendance6,485
Lowest home attendance3,983
Average home league attendance5,172

Season summary

Off the back of Brentford's lowest finish in the Football League since the 1925–26 season, only three players were signed – defender Keith Lawrence on a permanent deal from Chelsea, goalkeeper Steve Sherwood on a season-long loan from Chelsea and Wimbledon midfield trialist Graham Smith.[1] Two long-serving players were released, winger John Docherty and full back Alan Hawley.[2] New chairman Les Davey announced that the club would move to a new stadium in West London and that there was talk of a £1,000,000 takeover bid by local firm Brentford Nylons, but nothing came of either plan.[2]

Brentford began the season poorly and after eight league matches were just two points above the Fourth Division re-election zone,[3] though one early season highlight was a League Cup second round tie versus First Division giants Liverpool at Anfield, where Roger Cross scored the opener in a 2–1 defeat.[2] The Liverpool match was also notable for it being the final appearance made by centre half Peter Gelson,[2] then the club's second-highest appearance-maker, who had his contract cancelled and departed the club shortly afterwards.[1] Under recently appointed chairman Dan Tana, manager Mike Everitt was given a vote of confidence in November 1974 and strengthened the team by signing forward Willie Brown on loan from Newport County (and later permanently for £4,000) and midfielder Terry Johnson from Southend United for £15,000.[1]

The signings had the desired effect and Brentford rose into mid-table after winning four and drawing one of a seven-match spell from late November through to mid-January 1975,[3] but on 16 January, manager Mike Everitt was sacked.[2] Trainer Jess Willard took over as caretaker manager for the following match, before the appointment of former player John Docherty on 20 January.[2] Docherty turned Brentford's season around, losing just four of the remaining 19 matches of the season to finish in 8th place.[2] Four wins, two draws and just one defeat in April won Docherty the Football League Manager of the Month award.[2]

League table
Main article: 1974–75 Football League Fourth Division
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
6 Cambridge United 46 20 14 12 62 44 1.409 54
7 Reading 46 21 10 15 63 47 1.340 52
8 Brentford 46 18 13 15 53 45 1.178 49
9 Exeter City 46 19 11 16 60 63 0.952 49
10 Bradford City 46 17 13 16 56 51 1.098 47
Source: rsssf.com

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Pre-season
DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
3 August 1974PortsmouthH0–4 1,790
6 August 1974Aldershot H1–3 1,440Simmons
9 August 1974MillwallH2–0 1,190Woon, untraced (og)
12 August 1974Stevenage BoroughA3–0 n/aWoon, Cross

Football League Fourth Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 17 August 1974Northampton TownH1–0 5,147Woon
2 24 August 1974SouthportA0–3 1,285
3 31 August 1974Swansea CityH1–0 4,908Cross
4 7 September 1974Chester A0–2 2,625
5 14 September 1974Cambridge UnitedH1–0 5,313Simmons
6 16 September 1974Rotherham UnitedH3–4 5,979Simmons, Metchick, Bence
7 21 September 1974Newport CountyA0–1 3,022
8 23 September 1974RochdaleA0–0 1,587
9 28 September 1974Crewe AlexandraH1–0 5,442Simmons
10 30 September 1974Stockport CountyA1–1 1,982Woon
11 5 October 1974Doncaster RoversA1–2 1,692Simmons
12 12 October 1974Lincoln CityH1–1 4,973Lawrence
13 19 October 1974Shrewsbury TownA0–1 4,099
14 23 October 1974Bradford CityA0–1 2,932
15 26 October 1974Torquay UnitedH3–1 4,496Simmons (2), Graham
16 2 November 1974BarnsleyA1–1 4,158Simmons
17 4 November 1974Bradford CityH0–0 5,131
18 9 November 1974Mansfield Town H2–3 5,553Foster (og), Simmons
19 16 November 1974Hartlepool A2–3 2,864Simmons, Johnson
20 30 November 1974Workington A1–0 1,325Brown
21 7 December 1974DarlingtonH3–0 4,925Johnson, Brown (2)
22 21 December 1974Scunthorpe UnitedH2–0 4,364Brown (2)
23 26 December 1974Cambridge United A0–2 3,959
24 28 December 1974Exeter CityH2–0 5,608Simmons, Johnson
25 4 January 1975 Northampton Town A 0–0 4,735
26 11 January 1975 Darlington A 1–2 2,095 Johnson
27 18 January 1975Workington H2–2 9,983Brown, Simmons
28 25 January 1975ReadingH1–0 6,485Brown
29 1 February 1975Mansfield TownA1–1 11,362Graham
30 4 February 1975Rotherham UnitedA0–3 4,541
31 8 February 1975BarnsleyH3–0 5,080Simmons, French, Brown
32 15 February 1975ReadingA0–1 6,013
33 22 February 1975HartlepoolH1–0 5,516Johnson
34 28 February 1975Swansea CityA1–0 1,706Brown
35 8 March 1975 Rochdale H 3–0 4,460 Johnson, Graham, Cross
36 15 March 1975Crewe AlexandraA1–1 2,356Johnson
37 22 March 1975Chester H1–1 5,827Cross
38 31 March 1975Exeter CityA0–1 3,301
39 1 April 1975Newport CountyH0–0 5,569
40 5 April 1975Torquay United A2–3 2,555Cross, Scales
41 7 April 1975Stockport CountyH3–0 4,434Riddick, French (2)
42 12 April 1975Doncaster Rovers H1–1 5,147French
43 15 April 1975Scunthorpe UnitedA2–1 1,556Cross, Johnson
44 19 April 1975 Lincoln City A 1–1 6,956 Cross
45 21 April 1975SouthportH1–0 4,796Cross
46 26 April 1975Shrewsbury Town H2–1 5,810Graham, Cross

FA Cup
Main article: 1974–75 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
1R 23 November 1974 Slough Town A 4–1 3,394 Graham, Simmons, Woon (2) [nb 1]
2R14 December 1974Brighton & Hove Albion A0–1 13,287

Football League Cup
Main article: 1974–75 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 21 August 1974 Aldershot H 3–0 5,702 Cross (pen), Scales, Woon
2R10 September 1974Liverpool A1–2 21,413 Cross
  • 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 1974–75 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Steve Sherwood (1953-12-10)10 December 1953 (aged 20) Chelsea 1974 On loan from Chelsea
Defenders
DF Michael Allen (1949-03-30)30 March 1949 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1971
DF Paul Bence (1948-12-21)21 December 1948 (aged 25) Reading 1970
DF Kevin Harding (1957-03-19)19 March 1957 (aged 17) Youth 1974
DF Keith Lawrence (1954-03-25)25 March 1954 (aged 20) Chelsea 1974
DF Alan Nelmes (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 25) Chelsea 1967
DF Terry Scales (1951-01-18)18 January 1951 (aged 23) West Ham United 1971
DF Graham Smith (1951-08-08)8 August 1951 (aged 23) Wimbledon 1974 Loaned to Wimbledon
DF Nigel Smith (1958-07-03)3 July 1958 (aged 16) Queens Park Rangers 1975
Midfielders
MF Jackie Graham (1946-07-16)16 July 1946 (aged 28) Guildford City 1970
MF Terry Johnson (1949-08-30)30 August 1949 (aged 24) Southend United 1974
MF Dave Metchick (1943-08-14)14 August 1943 (aged 31) Atlanta Apollos 1973
MF Gordon Riddick (c) (1943-11-06)6 November 1943 (aged 30) Northampton Town 1973
MF Barry Salvage (1946-12-21)21 December 1946 (aged 27) Queens Park Rangers 1973
Forwards
FW Roger Cross (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 25) Fulham 1973
FW Micky French (1955-05-07)7 May 1955 (aged 19) Queens Park Rangers 1975 Loaned from Queens Park Rangers before transferring permanently
FW Richard Poole (1957-07-03)3 July 1957 (aged 17) Youth 1974
FW Dave Simmons (1948-10-24)24 October 1948 (aged 25) Cambridge United 1974
FW Billy Stagg (1957-10-17)17 October 1957 (aged 16) Youth 1974
Players who left the club mid-season
DF Peter Gelson (1941-10-18)18 October 1941 (aged 32) Youth 1961 Released
DF Gary Smith (1955-11-04)4 November 1955 (aged 18) Youth 1974 Loaned to Wimbledon, transferred to Wimbledon
MF Ian Filby (1954-10-09)9 October 1954 (aged 19) Orient 1974 Returned to Orient after loan
FW Willie Brown (1950-02-05)5 February 1950 (aged 24) Newport County 1974 Loaned from Newport County before transferring permanently
Transferred to Torquay United
FW Andy Woon (1952-06-26)26 June 1952 (aged 22) Bognor Regis Town 1973 Released
  • Sources: The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies,[6] Timeless Bees[7]

Coaching staff

Mike Everitt (17 August 1974 – 16 January 1975)
Name Role
Mike Everitt Manager
Jess Willard Trainer
Alan Humphries Chief Scout

Jess Willard (16 – 20 January 1975)
Name Role
Jess Willard Caretaker Manager
Alan Humphries Chief Scout

John Docherty (20 January – 26 April 1975)
Name Role
John Docherty Manager
Eddie Lyons Trainer
Bob Pearson Chief Scout

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
DF Michael Allen 32 0 1 0 2 0 35 0
DF Paul Bence 43 1 2 0 2 0 47 1
DF Peter Gelson 3 0 — 1 0 4 0
DF Kevin Harding 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
DF Keith Lawrence 43 1 2 0 2 0 47 1
DF Alan Nelmes 10 (3) 0 0 0 0 0 10 (3) 0
DF Terry Scales 40 1 2 0 2 1 44 2
DF Gary Smith 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
DF Graham Smith 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
DF Nigel Smith 2 0 — — 2 0
MF Jackie Graham 43 4 2 1 1 0 46 5
MF Terry Johnson 28 8 2 0 — 30 8
MF Dave Metchick 24 (3) 1 1 0 2 0 27 (3) 1
MF Gordon Riddick 42 1 2 0 2 0 46 1
MF Barry Salvage 34 0 2 0 2 0 38 0
FW Willie Brown 16 9 1 0 — 17 9
FW Roger Cross 25 (2) 8 0 0 2 2 27 (2) 10
FW Micky French 14 (1) 4 — — 14 (1) 4
FW Richard Poole 5 (3) 0 0 0 0 0 5 (3) 0
FW Dave Simmons 25 (5) 12 1 (1) 1 1 0 27 (6) 13
FW Billy Stagg 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
FW Andy Woon 13 (4) 2 2 2 1 (1) 1 16 (5) 5
Players loaned in during the season
GK Steve Sherwood 46 0 2 0 2 0 50 0
MF Ian Filby 1 (2) 0 — — 1 (2) 0
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[4]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL4 FAC FLC Total
FW Dave Simmons 12 1 0 13
FW Roger Cross 8 0 2 10
FW Willie Brown 9 0 — 9
MF Terry Johnson 8 0 0 8
MF Jackie Graham 4 1 0 5
FW Andy Woon 2 2 1 5
FW Micky French 4 — — 4
DF Terry Scales 1 0 1 2
DF Paul Bence 1 0 0 1
DF Keith Lawrence 1 0 0 1
MF Dave Metchick 1 0 0 1
MF Gordon Riddick 1 0 0 1
Opponents 1 0 0 1
Total534 461
  • 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 %
Mike Everitt 17 August 1974 11 January 1975 30 11 6 13 036.67 26 9 6 11 034.62
Jess Willard (caretaker) 18 January 1975 18 January 1975 1 0 1 0 000.00 1 0 1 0 000.00
John Docherty 25 January 1975 26 April 1975 19 9 6 4 047.37 19 9 6 4 047.37

Summary
Games played50 (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games won20 (18 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Games drawn13 (13 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games lost17 (15 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored61 (53 Fourth Division, 4 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Goals conceded49 (45 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Clean sheets20 (19 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Biggest league win3–0 on four occasions
Worst league defeat3–0 on two occasions
Most appearances50, Steve Sherwood (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Top scorer (league)12, Dave Simmons
Top scorer (all competitions)13, Dave Simmons

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1974 DF Keith Lawrence Chelsea Free [1]
August 1974 MF Graham Smith Wimbledon Trial [1]
October 1974 GK Barry Gordine Southend United n/a [1]
November 1974 MF Terry Johnson Southend United £15,000 [1]
December 1974 FW Willie Brown Newport County £4,000 [1]
March 1975 FW Micky French Queens Park Rangers £2,000 [1]
April 1975 DF Nigel Smith Queens Park Rangers n/a [1]
Players loaned in
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
August 1974 GK Steve Sherwood Chelsea End of season [1]
September 1974 MF Ian Filby Leicester City October 1974 [1]
November 1974 FW Willie Brown Newport County December 1974 [1]
February 1975 FW Micky French Queens Park Rangers March 1975 [1]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
March 1975 FW Willie Brown Torquay United £5,000 [1]
Players loaned out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
February 1975 MF Graham Smith Wimbledon n/a [1]
April 1975 DF Gary Smith Wimbledon April 1975 [1]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
October 1974 GK Paul Priddy Wimbledon 1974 [1]
February 1975 FW Andy Woon Maidstone United 1975 [1]
April 1975 DF Gary Smith Wimbledon April 1975 [1]
May 1975 GK Barry Gordine Retired [1]
May 1975 MF Dave Metchick Barnet 1975 [1]
May 1975 DF Kevin Harding Hayes 1975 [1]
May 1975 MF Graham Smith Wimbledon 1975 [1]
May 1975 FW Billy Stagg Wealdstone n/a [8]

Awards

Notes
  1. Match played at The Sports Ground, Walton-on-Thames.

References
  1. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 108-111.
  2. White, p. 295-297.
  3. "Brentford results for the 1974-1975 season - Statto.com". Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  4. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 393. ISBN 0951526200.
  5. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 98-107.
  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. 128.
  9. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 295.
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