1997–98 Brentford F.C. season
During the 1997–98 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. Just 11 wins in 46 matches saw the club relegated to the Third Division on the final day of the season.
Season summary
After defeat in the 1997 Second Division play-off Final, David Webb, Brentford manager since the beginning of the 1993–94 season, moved "upstairs" to become the club's new chief executive, having acquired a majority shareholding of the club as part of a consortium with Tony Swaisland (chairman) and John Herting (director) in August 1997.[1] Within days of the takeover and still without a manager, the spine of the previous season's team (Carl Asaba, Barry Ashby and Paul Smith) were sold for six-figure fees, with Brian Statham sold later in the month and promising youngster Marcus Bent transfer-listed.[1] Replacements were found in the lower divisions, non-league and in Premier League reserve teams, with Paul Barrowcliff, Derek Bryan, Leon Townley, Ricky Reina and Charlie Oatway arriving for five-figure fees.[1] First team coach Kevin Lock took caretaker charge of the club until the appointment of Eddie May just four days before the season began, with Clive Walker installed as May's assistant.[1]
A 3–0 defeat to Millwall on the opening day saw Brentford begin the season bottom of the Second Division and despite registering two wins in late-August and early-September to move into mid-table, just two wins in the following 13 matches in all competitions saw May and Walker removed from their posts on 4 November. Amidst rumours that David Webb had fallen out with chairman Swaisland, Webb resigned as chief executive, but remained on the board of directors. Former Swansea City manager Micky Adams was installed as manager and fared little better, failing to win until mid-December.[3] In a bid to strengthen the team, Adams sought experienced players, signing Glenn Cockerill as player/assistant manager, Warren Aspinall and loanee Nigel Gleghorn. Injuries soon began to mount, with first-choice right back Ijah Anderson and summer signings Derek Bryan and Ricky Reina succumbing. Continuing player sales and bad results led some Bees supporters to call for the removal of David Webb, staging multiple protests over a disparity between the incoming and outgoing transfer fees and questioning where the incoming money was going.
It wasn't until late-January 1998 that the team found some form, losing just once in 12 matches, but registering seven draws.[3] Brentford went into the final day of the season one place above the relegation zone, having won just one of the previous four matches.[3] A win away to play-off contenders Bristol Rovers (themselves needing to win) or other favourable results were required for the Bees to regain their Second Division status, but a 2–1 defeat and victory for 22nd-place Burnley relegated the club to the Third Division for the first time in 20 years.[6]
League table
- Pld = Matches ; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
- NB: In the Football League goals scored (F) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
Key | |
|
Division Champions, promoted |
|
Promoted |
|
Participated in play-offs |
|
Promoted through play-offs |
|
Relegated |
Results
- Brentford's goal tally listed first.
Legend
Football League Second Division
No. |
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) |
1 |
9 August 1997 | Millwall | A | 0–3 | 8,951 | |
2 |
16 August 1997 | Chesterfield | H | 0–0 | 4,000 | |
3 |
23 August 1997 | Watford | A | 1–3 | 10,125 | Taylor (pen) |
4 |
30 August 1997 | Grimsby Town | H | 3–1 | 3,875 | Rapley, Taylor (2) |
5 |
2 September 1997 | Gillingham | H | 2–0 | 4,903 | Bent, Taylor (pen) |
6 |
5 September 1997 | Southend United | A | 1–3 | 3,387 | Rapley |
7 |
13 September 1997 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 0–0 | 4,394 | |
8 |
19 September 1997 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 1–1 | 3,755 | Taylor |
9 |
27 September 1997 | Burnley | H | 2–1 | 4,317 | Hutchings, Rapley |
10 |
4 October 1997 | Preston North End | A | 1–2 | 8,954 | Bent |
11 |
11 October 1997 | York City | A | 1–3 | 2,831 | Taylor |
12 |
18 October 1997 | Walsall | H | 3–0 | 4,874 | Taylor, Denys, Bent |
13 |
21 October 1997 | Bristol Rovers | H | 2–3 | 3,967 | Bent, Rapley |
14 |
25 October 1997 | Luton Town | A | 0–2 | 6,494 | |
15 |
1 November 1997 | Bournemouth | A | 0–0 | 4,772 | |
16 |
4 November 1997 | Carlisle United | H | 0–1 | 3,424 | |
17 |
8 November 1997 | Bristol City | H | 1–4 | 6,162 | Reina |
18 |
18 November 1997 | Northampton Town | A | 0–4 | 5,227 | |
19 |
22 November 1997 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–1 | 5,012 | Scott |
20 |
29 November 1997 | Wrexham | H | 1–1 | 3,748 | Aspinall |
21 |
2 December 1997 | Fulham | A | 1–1 | 10,783 | Gleghorn |
22 |
13 December 1997 | Blackpool | H | 3–1 | 3,725 | Taylor, Townley (2) |
23 |
20 December 1997 | Wigan Athletic | A | 0–4 | 3,301 | |
24 |
26 December 1997 | Southend United | H | 1–1 | 5,341 | Taylor |
25 |
29 December 1997 | Gillingham | A | 1–3 | 5,786 | Taylor |
26 |
3 January 1998 | Chesterfield | A | 0–0 | 4,049 | |
27 |
10 January 1998 | Millwall | H | 2–1 | 5,529 | Taylor, Aspinall |
28 |
17 January 1998 | Grimsby Town | A | 0–4 | 4,886 | |
29 |
24 January 1998 | Watford | H | 1–2 | 6,969 | Rapley |
30 |
31 January 1998 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 3–1 | 4,783 | Bates, Scott, Hogg |
31 |
7 February 1998 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 0–0 | 6,328 | |
32 |
14 February 1998 | Preston North End | H | 0–0 | 4,952 | |
33 |
21 February 1998 | Burnley | A | 1–1 | 10,097 | Taylor |
34 |
24 February 1998 | Walsall | A | 0–0 | 3,166 | |
35 |
28 February 1998 | York City | H | 1–2 | 4,490 | McGhee |
36 |
3 March 1998 | Bristol City | A | 2–2 | 10,398 | Bryan, Rapley |
37 |
7 March 1998 | Bournemouth | H | 3–2 | 4,973 | Hutchings, Bryan, Rapley |
38 |
14 March 1998 | Carlisle United | A | 2–1 | 6,021 | Hogg, Scott |
39 |
21 March 1998 | Northampton Town | H | 0–0 | 5,746 | |
40 |
28 March 1998 | Oldham Athletic | H | 2–1 | 4,547 | Scott, Taylor |
41 |
4 April 1998 | Wrexham | A | 2–2 | 3,654 | Rapley, Hutchings |
42 |
11 April 1998 | Fulham | H | 0–2 | 10,510 | |
43 |
13 April 1996 | Blackpool | A | 2–1 | 3,926 | Hutchings, Aspinall (pen) |
44 |
18 April 1998 | Wigan Athletic | H | 0–2 | 4,480 | |
45 |
25 April 1998 | Luton Town | H | 2–2 | 6,598 | Scott, Hutchings |
46 |
2 May 1998 |
Bristol Rovers |
A |
1–2 |
9,043 |
Rapley |
FA Cup
Main article:
1997–98 FA Cup
Football League Cup
Football League Trophy
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance |
Scorer(s) |
SR2 | 13 January 1998 | Luton Town | A | 1–2 | 3,106 | Townley |
Playing squad
- Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1997–98 season.
Coaching staff
Eddie May (9 August–5 November 1997)
Micky Adams (5 November 1997–2 May 1998)
Name |
Role |
Micky Adams |
Manager |
Glenn Cockerill |
Assistant manager |
Kevin Lock |
Football Coordinator |
Stuart Bevis |
Physiotherapist |
Fergus Dignan |
Medical Officer |
Colin Martin |
Medical Officer |
Statistics
Appearances and goals
- Substitute appearances in brackets.
- Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
- Source: Soccerbase
Goalscorers
- Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
- Source: News of the World Football Annual[8]
Management
Name |
Nat |
From |
To |
Record All Comps |
Record League |
P | W | D | L | W % | P | W | D | L | W % |
Eddie May |
|
9 August 1997 |
5 November 1997 |
7001200000000000000♠20 |
7000500000000000000♠5 |
7000500000000000000♠5 |
7001100000000000000♠10 |
7001250000000000000♠25.00| | 7001160000000000000♠16 |
7000400000000000000♠4 |
7000400000000000000♠4 |
7000800000000000000♠8 |
7001250000000000000♠25.00 |
Micky Adams |
|
5 November 1997 |
2 May 1998 |
7001330000000000000♠33 |
7000700000000000000♠7 |
7001150000000000000♠15 |
7001110000000000000♠11 |
7001212100000000000♠21.21| | 7001300000000000000♠30 |
7000700000000000000♠7 |
7001130000000000000♠13 |
7001100000000000000♠10 |
7001233300000099999♠23.33 |
Summary
Games played | 53 (46 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy) |
Games won | 12 (11 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy) |
Games drawn | 20 (17 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy) |
Games lost | 21 (18 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy) |
Goals scored | 60 (50 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 7 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy) |
Goals conceded | 84 (71 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 9 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy) |
Clean sheets | 11 (10 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy) |
Biggest league win | 3–0 versus Walsall, 18 October 1997 |
Worst league defeat | 4–0 on three occasions |
Most appearances | 49, Carl Hutchings (43 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy) |
Top scorer (league) | 13, Robert Taylor |
Top scorer (all competitions) | 18, Robert Taylor |
Transfers & loans
Players transferred in |
Date |
Pos. |
Name |
Previous Club |
Fee |
Ref. |
1 August 1997 |
MF |
Paul Barrowcliff |
Stevenage Borough |
£60,000 |
|
1 August 1997 |
DF |
Graham Benstead |
Rushden & Diamonds |
Free |
[10] |
1 August 1997 |
MF |
Simon Wormull |
Tottenham Hotspur |
Free |
[11] |
22 August 1997 | MF | Charlie Oatway | Torquay United | £12,000 | [12] |
29 August 1997 |
FW |
Derek Bryan |
Hampton |
£50,000 |
[13] |
1 September 1997 |
FW |
Ricky Reina |
Dover Athletic |
£50,000 |
[14] |
17 September 1997 | DF | Leon Townley | Tottenham Hotspur | £25,000 | [15] |
7 November 1997 |
MF |
Glenn Cockerill |
Fulham |
Free |
[16] |
20 November 1997 |
MF |
Warren Aspinall |
Carlisle United |
£50,000 |
[17] |
21 November 1997 |
FW |
Andy Scott |
Sheffield United |
£75,000 |
[18] |
19 December 1997 |
DF |
Paul Watson |
Fulham |
£55,000 |
|
23 January 1998 |
DF |
Graeme Hogg |
Notts County |
£5,000 |
|
18 February 1998 |
DF |
Danny Cullip |
Fulham |
£75,000 |
[20] |
27 February 1998 |
FW |
Niall Thompson |
Zultse VV |
Non-contract |
[21] |
27 March 1998 |
MF |
Steven Blaney |
West Ham United |
Free |
|
Players loaned in |
Date from |
Pos. |
Name |
From |
Date to |
Ref. |
29 August 1997 |
MF |
Michael Black |
Arsenal |
29 September 1997 |
[23] |
3 October 1997 |
DF |
Gareth Hall |
Sunderland |
3 November 1997 |
[24] |
16 October 1997 | GK | Nick Colgan | Chelsea | 4 November 1997 | [25] |
17 November 1997 |
MF |
Nigel Gleghorn |
Burnley |
24 January 1998 |
[26] |
12 December 1997 |
DF |
Paul Watson |
Fulham |
18 December 1997 |
[27] |
21 January 1998 |
GK |
Mike Pollitt |
Notts County |
21 February 1998 |
[28] |
28 March 1998 |
GK |
David Nurse |
Millwall |
End of season |
|
Players transferred out |
Date |
Pos. |
Name |
Subsequent club |
Fee |
Ref. |
1 August 1997 |
MF |
Paul Smith |
Gillingham |
£195,000 |
|
7 August 1997 | FW | Carl Asaba | Reading | £800,000 | [31] |
9 August 1997 |
DF |
Barry Ashby |
Gillingham |
£140,000 |
|
22 August 1997 |
DF |
Brian Statham |
Gillingham |
£10,000 |
[12] |
8 January 1998 |
FW |
Marcus Bent |
Crystal Palace |
£300,000 |
[32] |
March 1998 | MF | Richard Goddard-Crawley | Woking | £7,500 | [7] |
Players loaned out |
Date from |
Pos. |
Name |
To |
Date to |
Ref. |
3 October 1997 |
GK |
Tamer Fernandes |
Peterborough United |
3 November 1997 |
[33] |
10 October 1997 |
MF |
Paul Barrowcliff |
Stevenage Borough |
10 November 1997 |
[34] |
October 1997 |
MF |
Richard Goddard-Crawley |
Woking |
November 1997 |
|
30 January 1998 | MF | Ryan Denys | Yeovil Town | 28 February 1998 | [35] |
Players released |
Date |
Pos. |
Name |
Subsequent club |
Join date |
Ref. |
1 January 1998 |
DF |
Stuart Myall |
Hastings United |
1998 |
[36] |
January 1998 |
GK |
Graham Benstead |
Basingstoke Town |
January 1998 |
|
January 1998 |
FW |
Joe Omigie |
Welling United |
1998 |
|
January 1998 |
MF |
Simon Spencer |
Yeovil Town |
February 1998 |
|
January 1998 |
DF |
Gus Hurdle |
Plymouth Argyle |
1998 |
|
29 January 1998 |
GK |
Tamer Fernandes |
Colchester United |
29 January 1998 |
|
25 February 1998 |
DF |
Lee Harvey |
Stevenage Borough |
28 February 1998 |
[37] |
25 March 1998 |
MF |
Simon Wormull |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
25 March 1998 |
[38] |
April 1998 |
FW |
Ricky Reina |
Retired |
|
|
31 May 1998 |
MF |
Paul Barrowcliff |
Hendon |
1998 |
[34] |
31 May 1998 |
MF |
Steven Blaney |
St Albans City |
August 1998 |
|
31 May 1998 |
MF |
Scott Canham |
Leyton Orient |
10 August 1998 |
[40] |
31 May 1998 |
MF |
Glenn Cockerill |
Retired |
|
[41] |
31 May 1998 |
DF |
Graeme Hogg |
Retired |
|
[40] |
31 May 1998 |
FW |
Malcolm McPherson |
Retired |
|
[40] |
Awards
References
- 1 2 3 4 Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2013). The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. pp. 258–259. ISBN 9781906796723.
- 1 2 3 Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1997-1998 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ↑ Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Complete History - Statto.com". Statto.com. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- 1 2 Brentford Matchday Magazine versus Northampton Town 21/03/98. Quay Design of Poole. 1998. p. 3.
- 1 2 Sewell, Albert, ed. (1998). News Of The World Football Annual 1998-99. Hammersmith, London: Invincible Press. p. 353. ISBN 0002188570.
- ↑ "Graham Benstead | Football Stats | No Club | Age 52 | 1997-2006 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Simon Wormull | Football Stats | No Club | Season 1999/2000 | 1987-2009 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- 1 2 Brentford Matchday Magazine versus Grimsby Town 30/08/97. Quay Design of Poole. 1997. p. 2.
- ↑ "Derek Bryan | Football Stats | Walton & Hersham | Age 41 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Ricky Reina | Football Stats | No Club | Age 44 | 1997-1999 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ Brentford Matchday Magazine versus Burnley 27/09/97. Quay Design of Poole. 1997. p. 2.
- ↑ "Glenn Cockerill | Football Stats | No Club | Age 56 | 1975-2003 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Warren Aspinall | Football Stats | No Club | Age 48 | 1985-2000 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Andy Scott | Football Stats | No Club | Age 43 | 1991-2005 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Danny Cullip | Football Stats | Lewes | Age 39 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Niall Thompson | Football Stats | No Club | Age 42 | 1992-2001 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Michael Black | Football Stats | No Club | Age 39 | 1997-2001 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
- ↑ "Gareth Hall | Football Stats | No Club | Age 47 | 1986-2010 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Nick Colgan | Football Stats | No Club | Age 42 | 1991-2013 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Nigel Gleghorn | Football Stats | No Club | Age 53 | 1984-1998 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Paul Watson | Football Stats | No Club | Age 41 | 1992-2009 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Mike Pollitt | Football Stats | No Club | Age 44 | 1990-2014 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Carl Asaba | Football Stats | No Club | Age 43 | 1993-2006 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
- ↑ "Marcus Bent | Football Stats | No Club | Age 37 | 1995-2011 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Tamer Fernandes | Football Stats | No Club | Age 41 | 1993-1999 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- 1 2 "Paul Barrowcliff | Football Stats | Slough Town | Age 46 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Ryan Denys | Football Stats | Hampton & Richmond | Age 37 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Stuart Myall". 11v11.com. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ↑ "Lee Harvey | Football Stats | Bedford Town | Age 49 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ "Seagulls in signing blitz". The Argus. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Brentford FC - Official Web site". 1998-06-10. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ↑ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920-2006. Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 38. ISBN 0955294916.
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