During the 1980–81 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. In a mid-table season, the Bees drew a club-record 19 league matches.
Season summary
After narrowly saving Brentford from relegation to the Fourth Division at the end of the previous season, interim manager Fred Callaghan was given the job on a full-time basis, with Ron Harris appointed as his assistant.White, p. 314-315. Callaghan conducted a clear-out of the squad, releasing captain Jackie Graham and bit-part players Doug Allder, Allan Glover, Billy Holmes and Trevor Porter. Aside from Ron Harris (who would continue his playing career), Callaghan brought in five new players, with £20,000 laid out on midfielders David Crown, Terry Hurlock and Barry Silkman. £55,000 was generated from the sales of forwards Steve Phillips and Lee Holmes, but Callaghan was presented with a problem when Len Bond, Barry Tucker, John Fraser and Dave Carlton, mainstays of the team for the previous two years, refused to sign new contracts. All but Tucker would depart Griffin Park during the early months of the season, with Bond fetching a £12,000 fee.
Brentford had a mixed start to the season, exiting the League Cup at the first hurdle, but three wins and two draws from six matches in September 1980 put the club in 6th position. Gradually the season played itself out into one of consolidation in mid-table, with Callaghan continuing to overhaul his squad. Forwards Gary Johnson and Lee Frost arrived from Chelsea in December 1980 for a £30,000 fee, while squad members Willie Graham, Iori Jenkins and Dean Smith were released in February 1981. Brentford ended the season in 9th place, off the back of a run of just two defeats in the final 21 matches. Bob Booker finished the season as the team's top scorer in league matches, with a meagre seven goals.
Four club records were set or equalled during the season: Most Football League draws in a season: 19 Most Football League away draws in a season: 10 Most consecutive away Football League draws: 6 (27 December 1980 – 7 March 1981) Most consecutive away Football League clean sheets: 4 (6 September – 8 October 1980)
League table
Results Brentford's goal tally listed first.
Legend WinDrawLoss
Pre-season and friendlies DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)28 July 1980Yeovil TownA2–2n/aBooker, Crown31 July 1980HounslowA1–1n/aFunnell2 August 1980WimbledonA1–2772Booker4 August 1980Slough TownA0–2n/a6 August 1980ChelseaH3–04,550Smith, Hill, Crown5 February 1981Hillingdon BoroughA1–4n/aPullen9 March 1981KBH3–02,090Funnell (3)19 March 1981Dorchester TownA1–0n/aRoberts14 April 1981Walthamstow AvenueA5–2n/aCrown (2), Funnell, Roberts, McKellar (pen)27 April 1981Walton & HershamA2–2n/aCrown (2)28 April 1981Leytonstone/IlfordA1–4n/aBooker5 May 1981WembleyA4–2n/aRoberts (2), R. Johnson7 May 1981NK GOŠK DubrovnikA1–3n/aHarris12 May 1981HNK Hajduk SplitA1–1n/aShrubb
Football League Third Division No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)116 August 1980Charlton AthleticA1–35,125Hill218 August 1980MillwallH1–06,524Funnell323 August 1980ReadingH1–26,717Funnell430 August 1980WalsallA3–24,586Walker, Hill, Funnell56 September 1980PortsmouthA2–016,971Booker, Funnell613 September 1980FulhamH1–311,610Booker715 September 1980BarnsleyH1–16,935Funnell820 September 1980BlackpoolA3–03,738Crown (2), Walker927 September 1980Hull CityH2–26,305Jenkins, Funnell1030 September 1980BarnsleyA1–011,227Walker114 October 1980Newport CountyH0–17,309128 October 1980Exeter CityA0–04,6651311 October 1980Carlisle UnitedA2–13,030Walker, Silkman (pen)1418 October 1980ChesterH0–16,6041520 October 1980GillinghamH3–36,786Crown, Hurlock, Smith1625 October 1980BurnleyA0–27,3241728 October 1980Plymouth ArgyleA1–07,249Smith181 November 1980Oxford UnitedH3–06,549Hill, Crown (2)193 November 1980Exeter CityH0–16,593208 November 1980ChesterfieldA1–27,127Graham2111 November 1980MillwallA2–24,279Booker, Hurlock2215 November 1980Charlton AthleticH0–18,1812329 November 1980Huddersfield TownA0–38,871246 December 1980Swindon TownH1–15,727Kruse2520 December 1980Rotherham UnitedA1–45,913G. Johnson2626 December 1980Colchester UnitedH2–16,241Kruse, Hurlock2727 December 1980Sheffield UnitedA0–013,130283 January 1981BurnleyH0–06,3792910 January 1981ChesterA0–02,2373017 January 1981Huddersfield TownH0–05,8313124 January 1981WalsallH4–05,503Frost, G. Johnson, Shrubb3231 January 1981ReadingA0–06,374337 February 1981FulhamA1–18,627Roberts3414 February 1981PortsmouthH2–210,162Tucker (pen), Roberts3521 February 1981Hull CityA0–04,5353628 February 1981BlackpoolH2–05,850G. Johnson, Frost377 March 1981Newport CountyA1–15,270Crown3814 March 1981Carlisle UnitedH1–16,209Frost3921 March 1981GillinghamA0–23,9164028 March 1981Plymouth ArgyleH0–15,868414 April 1981Oxford UnitedA1–14,085Booker4211 April 1981ChesterfieldH3–24,883Roberts, G. Johnson, Ridley (og)4318 April 1981Sheffield UnitedH1–15,622Booker4420 April 1981Colchester UnitedA2–02,609Shrubb, Booker4525 April 1981Rotherham UnitedH2–16,909Booker, Hurlock462 May 1981Swindon TownA0–08,968
FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)Notes1R22 November 1980Addlestone & Weybridge TownA2–26,536Booker, Funnell (pen)Match played at Griffin Park, Brentford. Brentford wore away colours.1R (replay)25 November 1980Addlestone & Weybridge TownH2–07,678Crown, Funnell2R13 December 1980FulhamA0–111,261
Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)1R (1st leg)9 August 1980Charlton AthleticH3–15,847Crown, Smith, Walker1R (2nd leg)12 August 1980Charlton AthleticA0–5 (lost 6–3 on aggregate)3,764 Sources: 100 Years of Brentford, The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties,Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 22-35.Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 386-389. Statto
Playing squad Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1980–81 season. Pos.NameNat.Date of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotesGoalkeepersGKPaul McCulloughDawlish Town1980GKDavid McKellarDerby County1980Loaned from Derby County before transferring permanentlyDefendersDFMark HillQueens Park Rangers1980DFRobbie JohnsonArsenal1981DFPat KruseTorquay United1977DFJim McNicholLuton Town1978DFDanis SalmanYouth1975DFPaul ShrubbHellenic1977DFBarry TuckerNorthampton Town1978MidfieldersMFDavid CrownWalthamstow Avenue1980MFLee FrostChelsea1980MFTony FunnellGillingham1980MFRon Harris (c)Chelsea1980Assistant managerMFTerry HurlockLeytonstone/Ilford1980MFGary RobertsWembley1980MFKevin TeerYouth1981MFPaul WalkerYouth1976ForwardsFWBob BookerBedmond Sports & Social1978FWGary JohnsonChelsea1980Players who left the club mid-seasonDFIori JenkinsChelsea1979ReleasedMFWillie GrahamNorthampton Town1977Transferred to Hillingdon BoroughMFBarry SilkmanManchester City1980Transferred to Queens Park RangersFWDean SmithLeicester City1977Released Sources: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties, Timeless Bees
Coaching staff NameRole Fred CallaghanManager Ron HarrisAssistant Manager Eddie LyonsPhysiotherapist John GriffinChief Scout
Statistics
Appearances and goals Substitute appearances in brackets. PosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKPaul McCullough70000290GKDavid McKellar3903000420DFMark Hill37 (1)3202041 (1)3DFIori Jenkins11 (3)1002013 (3)1DFRobbie Johnson10——10DFPat Kruse4223020472DFJim McNichol11 (3)0100012 (3)0DFDanis Salman380200 (1)040 (1)0DFPaul Shrubb38 (4)2302043 (4)2DFBarry Tucker2311000241MFDavid Crown37 (1)6312142 (1)8MFLee Frost153——153MFTony Funnell21 (2)62 (1)20023 (3)8MFWillie Graham51000051MFRon Harris2903020340MFTerry Hurlock4243000454MFGary Roberts14 (5)300—14 (5)3MFBarry Silkman141—20161MFKevin Teer0 (1)000000 (1)0MFPaul Walker2943021345FWBob Booker25 (1)7312030 (1)8FWGary Johnson225——225FWDean Smith6 (1)210219 (1)3 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: The Big Brentford Book of the EightiesCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 422.
Goalscorers Pos.NatPlayerFL3FACFLCTotalFWBob Booker7108MFTony Funnell6208MFDavid Crown6118FWGary Johnson5——5MFPaul Walker4015MFTerry Hurlock4004MFLee Frost3——3MFGary Roberts30—3DFMark Hill3003FWDean Smith2013DFPat Kruse2002DFPaul Shrubb2002MFBarry Silkman1—01MFWillie Graham1001DFIori Jenkins1001DFBarry Tucker1001Opponents1001Total524359 Players listed in italics left the club mid-season. Source: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties
Management NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord LeaguePWDLW %PWDLW %Fred Callaghan9 August 19802 May 1981
Summary Games played 51 (46 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Games won 16 (14 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Games drawn 20 (19 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Games lost 15 (13 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)Goals scored 59 (52 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)Goals conceded 58 (49 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 6 League Cup)Clean sheets 18 (17 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)Biggest league win 4–0 versus Walsall, 24 January 1981Worst league defeat 3–0 versus Huddersfield Town, 29 November 1980; 4–1 versus Rotherham United, 20 December 1980Most appearances 47, Pat Kruse, Paul Shrubb (42 Third Division, 3 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)Top scorer (league) 7, Bob BookerTop scorer (all competitions) 8, Bob Booker, David Crown
Transfers & loans Players transferred inDatePos.NamePrevious clubFeeRef.May 1980MF Ron Harris Chelsean/aCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 36-43.July 1980MF David Crown Walthamstow Avenue£5,000July 1980DF Mark Hill Queens Park RangersFreeJuly 1980GK Paul McCullough Dawlish Townn/aAugust 1980MF Terry Hurlock Leytonstone/Ilford£10,000August 1980MF Barry Silkman Manchester City£5,000October 1980GK David McKellar Derby County£25,000October 1980MF Gary Roberts Wembley£6,000December 1980FW Lee Frost Chelsean/aDecember 1980FW Gary Johnson Chelsea£30,0001980DF Kevin Teern/an/a1980DF Terry Rowen/an/aMarch 1981DF Robbie Johnson ArsenalTrialPlayers loaned inDate fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.September 1980GK David McKellar Derby CountyOctober 1980Players transferred outDatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.August 1980FW Steve Phillips Northampton Town£50,000October 1980GK Len Bond Exeter City£12,000October 1980MF Barry Silkman Queens Park Rangers£20,0001980FW Lee Holmes Enfield£5,000Players releasedDatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.August 1980MF Dave Carlton Northampton TownSeptember 1980August 1980MF John Fraser Oxford City1980November 1980DF Dave O'Mahoneyn/an/aFebruary 1981MF Willie Graham Hillingdon BoroughFebruary 1981February 1981DF Iori Jenkins Kettering Town1981February 1981FW Dean Smith Nuneaton BoroughFebruary 1981May 1981FW Lee Frost Addlestone & Weybridge Town1981May 1981GK Paul McCullough Mjällby AIFn/a
Awards Supporters' Player of the Year: Terry HurlockCroxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 383. Players' Player of the Year: Terry Hurlock
Notes
References