1935–36_Brentford_F.C._season

1935–36 Brentford F.C. season

1935–36 Brentford F.C. season

1935–36 season of Brentford F.C.

During the 1935–36 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League First Division for the first time in the club's history. A torrid run in the opening half of the season left Brentford in the relegation places, but after a number of key signings were made, just two defeats from Christmas Day 1935 through to the end of the season elevated the Bees to an impressive 5th-place finish, the club's highest-ever in the league pyramid. Brentford also reached the final of the London Challenge Cup for the second consecutive season, but were beaten by league rivals Arsenal. In 2013, the Brentford supporters voted 1935–36 as the club's third-best season.[1]

Quick Facts Chairman, Manager ...

Season summary

In preparation for the 1935–36 season, Brentford manager Harry Curtis elected to stick with the nucleus of players that had elevated the club from the Third Division South to the First Division in just three seasons, his only significant signing being right back Joe Wilson from Southend United.[2] The Bees had a dream start to their first season in the top-flight, going to the top of the division after a 2–0 opening day victory over Bolton Wanderers.[3] A 2–1 home defeat to Huddersfield Town two matches later gave way to a run of 11 defeats in 17 matches, which left the club in the relegation places.[3]

Previously-prolific scorers Jack Holliday and Idris Hopkins had had a difficult time adjusting to the higher level, with scoring just 13 goals between them by the time the Bees were mired in the relegation battle at the end of 1935.[4] Manager Curtis recognised the need to strengthen the squad in mid-season, dropping and later selling full back Jack Astley, left half Jackie Burns and forwards Charlie Fletcher and George Robson.[5] In addition, former captain Herbert Watson was dropped from the half back line.[4] In came Welsh international left half Dai Richards for £3,500 and Scottish forwards David McCulloch and Bobby Reid, with McCulloch signing for a club record £6,000 fee.[6]

The signings had an inspired effect, sending the Bees on a run of just two defeats in the remaining 23 matches of the season,[3] with forward McCulloch netting an impressive 26 goals in 27 appearances to finish as top-scorer.[4] Manager Harry Curtis also signed a new five-year contract in February 1936.[7] Brentford finished their debut season in the First Division in 5th place, which as of the end of the 2015–16 season is the club's highest-ever in the pyramid.[8] Brentford also reached the final of the London Challenge Cup for the second-successive season, but were defeated 4–2 by league rivals Arsenal.[9] The Bees' club record attendance for a home Football League match was broken twice during the season, with 33,481 attending versus Huddersfield Town on 7 September 1935 and 33,486 for the West London derby with Chelsea on 28 March 1936.[10]

League table

Main article: 1935–36 Football League First Division

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League First Division

More information No., Date ...

FA Cup

Main article: 1935–36 FA Cup
More information Round, Date ...

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1935–36 season.
More information Pos., Name ...
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[4] Timeless Bees,[11] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[12]

Coaching staff

More information Name, Role ...

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season.
More information Pos, Nat ...
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[4]

Goalscorers

More information Pos., Nat ...
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[4]

International caps

More information Pos., Nat ...

Management

More information Name, Nat ...

Summary

Games played43 (42 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Games won17 (17 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn12 (12 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost14 (13 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored81 (81 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded61 (60 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets10 (10 First Division, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win6–0 versus Derby County, 2 May 1936
Worst league defeat6–1 versus Grimsby Town, 7 December 1935
Most appearances43, Idris Hopkins, James Mathieson (42 First Division, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)26, David McCulloch
Top scorer (all competitions)26, David McCulloch

Transfers & loans

Cricketers are not included in this list.
More information Players transferred in, Date ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Brentford". Football League 125. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  2. [2]
    Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 170.
  3. [3]
    "Brentford results for the 1935–1936 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  4. [4]
    White 1989, p. 373.
  5. [5]
    Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 13, 31, 58, 136.
  6. [6]
    Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 104, 131–134, 166.
  7. [7]
    Chapman, Mark. "Remembering The Guvnor: Harry Curtis". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  8. [8]
    "Brentford Complete History". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  9. [9]
    Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. pp. 82–83. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  10. [10]
    Haynes 1998, p. 15.
  11. [11]
    Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  12. [12]
    Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  13. [13]
    "Dai Hopkins". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  14. [14]
    "David McCulloch". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  15. [15]
    "David Richards". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  16. [16]
    "Players – Layún to Lyttle" (PDF). Watford Football Club archive 1881–2016. p. 36. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  17. [17]
    "Dunn, Willie". The Celtic Wiki. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  18. [18]
    "S, T and U". The Bristol Rovers History Group. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  19. [19]
    "Joe Wilson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  20. [20]
    "Sam Briddon". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  21. [21]
    "Brentford F.C. And The First League. Season Anticipated With Every Confidence. Sporting Gesture By Bolton Wanderers". Middlesex Chronicle. 17 August 1935.
  22. [22]
    White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. pp. 146–151. ISBN 0951526200.
  23. [23]
    Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
  24. [24]
    "Football League Players Index". Bristol Rovers Memorabilia. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  25. [25]
    Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 149.
  26. [26]
    Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 29.
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