1981–82 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1981–82 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. After losing ground in January and February 1982, just one win from the final five matches of the season ended the Bees' hopes of promotion.

Brentford
1981–82 season
ChairmanDan Tana
(until September 1981)
Martin Lange
(from September 1981)
ManagerFred Callaghan
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division8th
FA CupSecond round
League CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: Bowen,
G. Johnson,
Roberts (8)
All: Bowen (10)
Highest home attendance10,834
Lowest home attendance4,124
Average home league attendance5,692

Season summary
Midfielder Chris Kamara was signed from Portsmouth in an exchange deal in October 1981 and was named captain of Brentford in March 1982.[1]

Aside from the club record signing of £65,000 central defender Alan Whitehead, Brentford manager Fred Callaghan presided over a quiet 1981 off-season at Griffin Park.[2] Goalkeeper Paul Priddy returned to the club for a third spell on a part-time contract as cover for David McKellar, but the club went into the season understaffed in the striking department, having lost Gary Johnson to injury in a car crash and a suitable replacement could not be found in time.[1] Bids for midfielders John Beck, Jeff Chandler, forward David Kemp and former Brentford player Andrew McCulloch had failed to yield any transfers.[1]

Despite going unbeaten in the first four Third Division matches of the season, a bad run of results in September and October 1981 dropped the club to just above the relegation places.[3] Manager Callaghan acted swiftly in the transfer market, signing midfielders Stan Bowles, Chris Kamara and finally bolstering the forward line with the acquisition of Keith Bowen.[1] The upturn in form was immediate and seven wins and one draw from a 10-match spell lifted the Bees from 18th place on 17 October to 4th on 28 December.[3] The run included five consecutive away league wins, which equalled the club record.[4]

Brentford began 1982 with a run in which the team took just two points from a possible 24, which dropped the club back into mid-table.[3] Former player Gordon Sweetzer briefly returned to Griffin Park in January, but scored just one goal in 9 appearances before returning to his native Canada.[2] The team recovered in March and things further improved after forward David Kemp was finally signed on loan in March,[3] but he succumbed to injury after just three appearances.[2] A 2–1 win over Chester on 24 April put the Bees in 7th position,[3] four points behind 3rd-place Lincoln City with five matches to play.[5] Brentford's outside chances of promotion were killed off in the following match versus Wimbledon at Griffin Park, losing 3–2, having been leading 2–0.[2] The Bees finished the season in 8th position.[2]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
6 Gillingham 46 20 11 15 64 56 +8 71
7 Southend United 46 18 15 13 63 51 +12 69
8 Brentford 46 19 11 16 56 47 +9 68
9 Millwall 46 18 13 15 62 62 0 67
10 Plymouth Argyle 46 18 11 17 64 56 +8 65
Source: rsssf.com (incorrect), source=11v11.com

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Pre-season
DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
5 August 1981WembleyA5–0 n/aCrown, Walker, Booker, Rowe, B. Bowen
8 August 1981Hillingdon BoroughA2–0 n/aBooker, Roberts
11 August 1981WokingA3–0 n/aTonge (2), Roberts
15 August 1981Cambridge UnitedH5–0 1,195Crown (3), Whitehead, Booker
18 August 1981Brighton & Hove AlbionH1–3 n/aBooker

Football League Third Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 29 August 1981FulhamA2–1 7,632Tucker (pen), Brown (og)
2 5 September 1981WalsallH0–0 5,353
3 12 September 1981PortsmouthA2–2 10,364Crown, Booker
4 19 September 1981Plymouth ArgyleH0–0 4,943
5 21 September 1981GillinghamH0–1 5,425
6 26 September 1981Doncaster Rovers A0–1 5,494
7 29 September 1981Newport CountyA1–0 4,040Tucker
8 3 October 1981Carlisle UnitedH1–2 4,587G. Johnson
9 10 October 1981Exeter CityA1–3 3,589Crown
10 17 October 1981Lincoln CityH3–1 4,187Booker, Whitehead, Tucker
11 19 October 1981Southend UnitedH0–1 5,043
12 24 October 1981ChesterfieldA2–0 5,525K. Bowen, Roberts
13 31 October 1981BurnleyH0–0 6,929
14 3 November 1981Swindon TownA3–0 6,649G. Johnson, K. Bowen, Kamara
15 7 November 1981Bristol CityH0–1 6,758
16 14 November 1981Oxford United A2–1 5,693G. Johnson (2)
17 28 November 1981ChesterH1–0 5,201McNichol
18 5 December 1981Preston North EndA3–1 4,171K. Bowen (2), G. Johnson
19 28 December 1981MillwallA1–0 7,474Roberts
20 2 January 1982Huddersfield TownH0–1 5,438
21 19 January 1982Walsall A0–3 3,853
22 23 January 1982Fulham H0–1 10,834
23 27 January 1982Reading A1–4 3,710Sweetzer
24 30 January 1982 Plymouth Argyle A 0–1 5,008
25 6 February 1982PortsmouthH2–2 5,947Tucker (pen), Bowles
26 9 February 1982GillinghamA1–1 3,931Bowles
27 13 February 1982Carlisle United A0–1 4,942
28 20 February 1982Newport CountyH2–0 4,297Roberts, Kamara
29 27 February 1982Exeter CityH2–0 4,934Whitehead, K. Bowen
30 6 March 1982Lincoln CityA0–1 2,880
31 8 March 1982Southend UnitedA1–1 4,058Kemp
32 13 March 1982ChesterfieldH2–0 5,374Roberts, Kamara
33 20 March 1982BurnleyA0–0 7,906
34 22 March 1982 Bristol Rovers H 1–0 5,840 Bowles (pen)
35 27 March 1982Bristol City A1–0 6,243K. Bowen
36 3 April 1982Oxford UnitedH1–2 5,786Booker
37 9 April 1982 Millwall H 4–1 7,460 G. Johnson, Booker, McNichol, Roberts
38 12 April 1982WimbledonA2–1 4,513Hurlock, Roberts
39 17 April 1982Preston North EndH0–0 5,627
40 19 April 1982Swindon TownH4–2 5,374Hurlock, K. Bowen, Bowles, McNichol
41 24 April 1982Chester A2–1 1,484Kamara, G. Johnson
42 26 April 1982WimbledonH2–3 6,612Bowles, G. Johnson
43 1 May 1982Doncaster RoversH2–2 4,124K. Bowen, Whitehead
44 3 May 1982Bristol Rovers A2–1 4,314Roberts, Kamara
45 8 May 1982 Huddersfield Town A 1–1 4,542 Bowles (pen)
46 15 May 1982Reading H1–2 4,502Roberts

FA Cup
Main article: 1981–82 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 21 November 1981 Exeter City H 2–0 6,416 K. Bowen (2)
2R 16 December 1981 Colchester United H 1–1 5,448 Roberts
2R (replay)30 December 1981Colchester United A0–1 5,532

Football League Cup
Main article: 1981–82 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance
1R (1st leg) 2 September 1981 Oxford United A 0–1 3,621
1R (2nd leg)15 September 1981Oxford United H0–2 (lost 3–0 on aggregate) 5,490
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[6] The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties,[7] Statto

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1981–82 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK David McKellar (1956-05-22)22 May 1956 (aged 25) Derby County 1980
GK Paul Priddy (1953-07-11)11 July 1953 (aged 28) Hayes 1981
Defenders
DF Mark Hill (1961-01-21)21 January 1961 (aged 20) Queens Park Rangers 1980
DF Robbie Johnson (1962-03-30)30 March 1962 (aged 19) Arsenal 1981
DF Jim McNichol (1958-06-09)9 June 1958 (aged 23) Luton Town 1978
DF Terry Rowe (1964-06-08)8 June 1964 (aged 17) Youth 1982
DF Danis Salman (1960-03-12)12 March 1960 (aged 21) Youth 1975
DF Tony Spencer (1965-04-23)23 April 1965 (aged 16) Youth 1982
DF Barry Tucker (1952-08-28)28 August 1952 (aged 29) Northampton Town 1978
DF Alan Whitehead (1956-11-20)20 November 1956 (aged 24) Bury 1981
Midfielders
MF Stan Bowles (1948-12-24)24 December 1948 (aged 32) Orient 1981
MF Ron Harris (1944-11-13)13 November 1944 (aged 36) Chelsea 1980 Assistant manager
MF Terry Hurlock (1958-11-22)22 November 1958 (aged 22) Leytonstone/Ilford 1980
MF Chris Kamara (c) (1957-12-25)25 December 1957 (aged 23) Portsmouth 1981
MF Gary Roberts (1960-04-05)5 April 1960 (aged 21) Wembley 1980
MF Paul Shrubb (1955-08-01)1 August 1955 (aged 26) Hellenic 1977
MF Keith Tonge (1964-11-06)6 November 1964 (aged 16) Youth 1982
MF Paul Walker (1960-12-17)17 December 1960 (aged 20) Youth 1976
Forwards
FW Bob Booker (1958-01-25)25 January 1958 (aged 23) Bedmond Sports & Social 1978
FW Keith Bowen (1958-02-26)26 February 1958 (aged 23) Northampton Town 1981
FW Gary Johnson (1959-09-14)14 September 1959 (aged 21) Chelsea 1980
Players who left the club mid-season
DF Pat Kruse (1953-11-30)30 November 1953 (aged 27) Torquay United 1977 Loaned to Northampton Town, released
MF David Crown (1958-02-16)16 February 1958 (aged 23) Walthamstow Avenue 1980 Transferred to Portsmouth
FW David Kemp (1953-02-20)20 February 1953 (aged 28) Plymouth Argyle 1982 Returned to Plymouth Argyle after loan
FW Gordon Sweetzer (1957-01-27)27 January 1957 (aged 24) Toronto Blizzard 1982 Released
  • Sources: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties,[8] Timeless Bees[9]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Fred Callaghan Manager
Ron Harris Assistant Manager
Eddie Lyons Physiotherapist

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 David McKellar 45 0 3 0 2 0 50 0
GK Paul Priddy 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF Mark Hill 17 (1) 0 0 0 2 0 19 (1) 0
DF Robbie Johnson 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF Pat Kruse 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF Jim McNichol 26 3 3 0 0 0 29 3
DF Terry Rowe 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
DF Danis Salman 40 0 2 0 2 0 44 0
DF Tony Spencer 3 0 — — 3 0
DF Barry Tucker 38 4 3 0 2 0 43 4
DF Alan Whitehead 42 (1) 3 3 0 2 0 47 (1) 3
MF Stan Bowles 31 6 2 0 — 33 6
MF David Crown 7 (1) 2 — 2 0 9 (1) 2
MF Ron Harris 19 (1) 0 1 0 2 0 22 (1) 0
MF Terry Hurlock 40 2 3 0 2 0 45 2
MF Chris Kamara 31 5 3 0 — 34 5
MF Gary Roberts 39 (1) 8 2 1 2 0 43 (1) 9
MF Paul Shrubb 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
MF Keith Tonge 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0
MF Paul Walker 7 (2) 0 0 0 1 0 8 (2) 0
FW Bob Booker 27 (11) 4 2 0 2 0 31 (11) 4
FW Keith Bowen 37 (1) 8 3 2 — 40 (1) 10
FW Gary Johnson 29 (1) 8 3 0 0 0 32 (1) 8
FW Gordon Sweetzer 8 (1) 1 — — 8 (1) 1
Players loaned in during the season
FW David Kemp 3 1 — — 3 1
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties[10]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC FLC Total
FW Keith Bowen 8 2 — 10
MF Gary Roberts 8 1 0 9
FW Gary Johnson 8 0 0 8
MF Stan Bowles 6 0 — 6
MF Chris Kamara 5 0 — 5
FW Bob Booker 4 0 0 4
DF Barry Tucker 4 0 0 4
DF Jim McNichol 3 0 0 3
DF Alan Whitehead 3 0 0 3
MF David Crown 2 — 0 2
MF Terry Hurlock 2 0 0 2
FW David Kemp 1 — — 1
FW Gordon Sweetzer 1 — — 1
Opponents 1 0 0 1
Total563 059
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties[10]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Fred Callaghan 29 August 1981 15 May 1982 51 20 12 19 039.22 46 19 11 16 041.30

Summary
Games played51 (46 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games won20 (19 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games drawn12 (11 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games lost19 (16 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Goals scored59 (56 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Goals conceded52 (47 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Clean sheets16 (15 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Biggest league win3–0 versus Swindon Town, 3 November 1981; 4–1 versus Millwall, 9 April 1982
Worst league defeat3–0 versus Walsall, 19 January 1982; 4–1 versus Reading, 27 January 1982
Most appearances50, David McKellar (45 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Top scorer (league)8, Keith Bowen, Gary Johnson, Gary Roberts
Top scorer (all competitions)10, Keith Bowen

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
August 1981 GK Paul Priddy Hayes n/a [1]
August 1981 DF Alan Whitehead Bury £65,000 [1]
September 1981 FW Keith Bowen Northampton Town n/a [1]
October 1981 MF Stan Bowles Orient £25,000 [1]
October 1981 MF Chris Kamara Portsmouth Exchange [1]
1981 MF Keith Tonge n/a n/a [1]
January 1982 FW Gordon Sweetzer Toronto Blizzard Trial [1]
March 1982 DF Tony Spencer n/a n/a [1]
Players loaned in
Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
March 1982 FW David Kemp Plymouth Argyle March 1982 [1]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
September 1981 FW Tony Funnell Bournemouth £5,000 [1]
October 1981 MF David Crown Portsmouth Exchange [1]
Players loaned out
Date from Pos. Name To Date to Ref.
February 1982 DF Pat Kruse Northampton Town April 1982 [1]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
March 1982 FW Gordon Sweetzer Edmonton Drillers 1982 [1]
April 1982 DF Pat Kruse Barnet 1982 [1]
May 1982 DF Mark Hill Wycombe Wanderers 1982 [1]
May 1982 DF Robbie Johnson Hayes 1982 [1]
May 1982 GK Paul Priddy Retired [1]
May 1982 MF Paul Shrubb Aldershot August 1982 [1]
May 1982 DF Kevin Teer n/a n/a [1]

Awards

References
  1. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 60-65.
  2. White, p. 316-317.
  3. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1981-1982 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  4. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford scoring and sequence records - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  5. "English Division Three (old) 1981-1982 Table - statto.com". Archived from the original on 19 December 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  6. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 396. ISBN 0951526200.
  7. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 48-59.
  8. Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. ISBN 978-1906796716.
  9. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  10. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 423.
  11. Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 383.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.