1933–34 Brentford F.C. season

Brentford
1933–34 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Second Division4th
FA CupThird round
Top goalscorerLeague: Holliday (27)
All: Holliday (27)
Highest home attendance26,934
Lowest home attendance12,017
Average home league attendance16,377

During the 1933–34 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division for the first time in the club's history. A strong run in the middle of the season saw the Bees hold the second promotion place throughout March 1934, before a drop in form led the club to a 4th-place finish.

Season summary

In preparation for Brentford's first-ever Second Division season and after a loss of £932 on the previous season (equivalent to £83,600 in 2025),[1] manager Harry Curtis brought in a number of younger players to replace ageing full backs Tom Adamson, Alexander Stevenson and half back captain Jimmy Bain.[2] Curtis stuck with the same free-scoring strikeforce of the previous season, electing to add only outside left Charlie Fletcher from Clapton Orient.[3] Despite winning just 6 of the opening 16 matches of the season, Brentford found themselves in 8th place, before a run of 8 wins in 11 matches put the club into the second promotion place on 3 February 1934.[4] Manager Curtis had made an astute purchase in the transfer market in January, recruiting Southend United's full back Arthur Bateman as a replacement for Tom Adamson.[5]

2nd place was held until a defeat to Bradford City on 24 March dropped Brentford back to 3rd and results in the following four matches dropped the club to 4th.[4] A 2–0 win over Swansea Town on 14 April saw the Bees rise back to the one remaining promotion place, with just three matches to play.[4] Defeat to Millwall in the first of those matches dropped Brentford back to 4th,[4] but a resounding 5–0 victory over Lincoln City in the penultimate match of the season left the Bees knowing that a draw and favourable results for 2nd-place Preston North End and 3rd-place Bolton Wanderers on the final day would be enough to secure promotion to the First Division.[6] Despite Brentford's 2–1 victory over Bury at Gigg Lane on the final day, victory for Preston North End saw the Lilywhites pip Bolton Wanderers into the second promotion place.[7] Brentford finished 4th in the club's first season in the second tier of English football.[8]

Just one of Brentford's 85 goals during the season came from a player who was not a forward, centre half Joe James and the tally of 8 goalscorers for the season was at that time the lowest in club history.[9][10] Jack Holliday top-scored with an impressive 27 goals and Idris Hopkins flourished at the higher level, scoring 21 times.[9] Ernest Muttitt, Billy Scott and Charlie Fletcher ably supported Holliday and Hopkins by also scoring in double-figures.[9]

League table

Main article: 1933–34 Football League Second Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
2 Preston North End (P) 42 23 6 13 71 52 1.365 52 Promotion to the First Division
3 Bolton Wanderers 42 21 9 12 79 55 1.436 51
4 Brentford 42 22 7 13 85 60 1.417 51
5 Bradford Park Avenue 42 23 3 16 86 67 1.284 49
6 Bradford City 42 20 6 16 73 67 1.090 46
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(P) Promoted

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division

No. Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1 26 August 1933 Nottingham Forest A 1–1 12,702 Hopkins
2 31 August 1933 Bradford Park Avenue H 2–0 13,667 Holliday (2)
3 2 September 1933 West Ham United H 4–1 19,918 Holliday (2), Hopkins (2)
4 6 September 1933 Bradford Park Avenue A 2–5 11,982 Hopkins, Muttitt
5 9 September 1933 Plymouth Argyle A 1–1 20,945 Watson
6 16 September 1933 Manchester United H 3–4 17,180 Fletcher, Holliday, Muttitt
7 23 September 1933 Bolton Wanderers A 2–3 9,894 Fletcher, Hopkins
8 30 September 1933 Hull City H 2–2 14,570 Fletcher, Holliday
9 7 October 1933 Burnley H 5–2 14,797 Hopkins (2), Holliday (2), Muttitt
10 14 October 1933 Oldham Athletic A 4–1 9,831 James, Hopkins (2), Holliday
11 21 October 1933 Fulham A 1–1 35,421 Holliday (pen)
12 28 October 1933 Southampton H 2–0 15,611 Hopkins (2)
13 4 November 1933 Blackpool A 1–3 14,229 Muttitt
14 11 November 1933 Bradford City H 2–1 12,932 Muttitt, Holliday
15 18 November 1933 Port Vale A 0–1 11,349
16 25 November 1933 Notts County H 2–2 12,110 Holliday, Scott
17 2 December 1933 Swansea Town A 3–2 4,269 Fletcher (2), Muttitt
18 9 December 1933 Millwall H 3–0 12,017 Scott (2), Holliday
19 16 December 1933 Lincoln City A 2–0 6,080 Holliday (2, 1 pen)
20 23 December 1933 Bury H 2–3 12,761 Muttitt, Fletcher
21 25 December 1933 Preston North End H 3–2 20,662 Fletcher, Hopkins (2)
22 26 December 1933 Preston North End A 2–3 24,451 Scott (2)
23 30 December 1933 Nottingham Forest H 2–1 12,795 Hopkins, Scott
24 6 January 1934 West Ham United A 2–3 24,108 Muttitt, Holliday
25 20 January 1934 Plymouth Argyle H 3–0 17,566 Scott, Fletcher, Holliday
26 27 January 1934 Manchester United A 3–1 16,891 Muttitt (2), Fletcher
27 3 February 1934 Bolton Wanderers H 3–1 16,037 Holliday (2), Scott
28 10 February 1934 Hull City A 1–0 10,566 Hopkins
29 17 February 1934 Burnley A 1–3 11,666 Holliday
30 24 February 1934 Oldham Athletic H 2–1 15,927 Scott, Muttitt
31 3 March 1934 Fulham H 1–2 25,184 Holliday (pen)
32 10 March 1934 Southampton A 0–0 10,349
33 17 March 1934 Blackpool H 1–0 16,461 Hopkins
34 24 March 1934 Bradford City A 1–2 12,394 Hopkins
35 30 March 1934 Grimsby Town A 2–2 23,233 Hopkins, Holliday
36 31 March 1934 Port Vale H 2–0 19,758 Holliday, Scott
37 2 April 1934 Grimsby Town H 1–2 26,934 Holliday
38 7 April 1934 Notts County A 2–1 11,657 Allen, Hopkins
39 14 April 1934 Swansea Town H 2–0 14,848 Hopkins, Muttitt
40 21 April 1934 Millwall A 0–2 21,671
41 28 April 1934 Lincoln City H 5–0 12,184 Scott, Holliday (3), Hopkins
42 5 May 1934 Bury A 2–1 9,461 Fletcher, Scott

FA Cup

Main article: 1933–34 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance
3R 13 January 1934 Hull City A 0–1 18,000

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1933–34 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Tom Baker (1905-08-17)17 August 1905 (aged 28) Southport 1932
GK Jack Clough (1898-11-04)4 November 1898 (aged 34) Mansfield Town 1933
Defenders
DF Tom Adamson (1901-02-12)12 February 1901 (aged 32) Bury 1929
DF Jack Astley (1909-12-03)3 December 1909 (aged 23) Southport 1933
DF Arthur Bateman (1908-04-01)1 April 1908 (aged 25) Southend United 1934
DF William Hodge (1904-08-31)31 August 1904 (aged 28) Rangers 1927
DF Alexander Stevenson (1903-10-24)24 October 1903 (aged 29) Armadale 1927
Midfielders
HB Jimmy Bain (1899-02-06)6 February 1899 (aged 34) Manchester Central 1928
HB Jackie Burns (1906-11-27)27 November 1906 (aged 26) Queens Park Rangers 1931 Amateur
HB Joe James (1910-01-13)13 January 1910 (aged 23) Battersea Church 1929
HB Joe McClure (1907-11-03)3 November 1907 (aged 25) Everton 1933
HB Duncan McKenzie (1912-08-10)10 August 1912 (aged 21) Albion Rovers 1932
HB Cecil Smith (1907-06-16)16 June 1907 (aged 26) Brentford Market 1931
HB Herbert Watson (c) (1908-11-20)20 November 1908 (aged 24) Middlesbrough 1932
Forwards
FW Ralph Allen (1906-06-30)30 June 1906 (aged 27) Fulham 1930
FW Charlie Fletcher (1905-10-28)28 October 1905 (aged 27) Clapton Orient 1933
FW Jack Holliday (1908-12-19)19 December 1908 (aged 24) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Idris Hopkins (1910-10-11)11 October 1910 (aged 22) Crystal Palace 1932
FW Ernest Muttitt (1908-07-24)24 July 1908 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
FW George Robson (1908-06-17)17 June 1908 (aged 25) West Ham United 1931
FW Billy Scott (1907-12-06)6 December 1907 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
Players who left the club mid-season
HB William Smith (1903-10-22)22 October 1903 (aged 29) Sheffield Wednesday 1933 Transferred to Crystal Palace
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[9] Timeless Bees,[11] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[12]

Coaching staff

Name Role
Harry Curtis Manager
Bob Kane Trainer
Jack Cartmell Assistant Trainer
Fred Keatch Secretary

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Tom Baker 22 0 0 0 22 0
GK Jack Clough 20 0 1 0 21 0
DF Tom Adamson 8 0 0 0 8 0
DF Jack Astley 40 0 1 0 41 0
DF Arthur Bateman 18 0 — 18 0
DF William Hodge 15 0 1 0 16 0
DF Alexander Stevenson 3 0 0 0 3 0
HB Jimmy Bain 8 0 0 0 8 0
HB Jackie Burns 35 0 1 0 36 0
HB Joe James 34 1 1 0 35 1
HB Joe McClure 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Duncan McKenzie 11 0 1 0 12 0
HB Cecil Smith 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB William Smith 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Herbert Watson 35 0 1 0 36 0
FW Ralph Allen 1 1 0 0 1 1
FW Charlie Fletcher 42 10 1 0 43 10
FW Jack Holliday 41 27 1 0 42 27
FW Idris Hopkins 42 21 1 0 43 21
FW Ernest Muttitt 39 12 1 0 40 12
FW George Robson 4 0 0 0 4 0
FW Billy Scott 41 12 1 0 42 12
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[9]

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL2 FAC Total
FW Jack Holliday 27 0 27
FW Idris Hopkins 21 0 21
FW Ernest Muttitt 12 0 12
FW Billy Scott 12 0 12
FW Charlie Fletcher 10 0 10
FW Ralph Allen 1 0 1
HB Joe James 1 0 1
Total 85 0 85
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[9]

Amateur international caps

Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW Jackie Burns 3 1 [13]

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
P W D L W % P W D L W %
Harry Curtis 26 August 1933 5 May 1933 43 22 7 14 051.16 42 22 7 13 052.38

Summary

Games played 43 (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Games won 22 (22 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn 7 (7 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost 14 (13 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored 85 (85 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded 61 (60 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets 11 (11 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win 5–0 versus Lincoln City, 28 April 1934
Worst league defeat 5–2 versus Bradford Park Avenue, 6 September 1933
Most appearances 43, Charlie Fletcher, Idris Hopkins (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league) 27, Jack Holliday
Top scorer (all competitions) 27, Jack Holliday

Transfers & loans

Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
June 1933 DF Jack Astley Southport Free [14]
June 1933 GK Jack Clough Mansfield Town £100 [15]
June 1933 HB Joe McClure Everton Free [16]
17 August 1933 FW Charlie Fletcher Clapton Orient Part-exchange [17]
1933 FW Maurice Batchelor Gillingham Amateur [1]
1933 FW Peter Clarke Edinburgh University Amateur [17]
1933 FW R. E. Gibbons Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [1]
1933 FW George Goddard Queens Park Rangers n/a [18]
1933 FW Bob Mortimer Northampton Town n/a [1]
1933 FW William Smith Sheffield Wednesday Free [19]
January 1934 DF Arthur Bateman Southend United n/a [5]
March 1934 DF Walter Metcalf Sunderland n/a [20]
April 1934 HB James Raven Folkestone Amateur [21]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
17 August 1933 HB Teddy Ware Clapton Orient Part-exchange [17]
27 October 1933 FW William Smith Crystal Palace n/a [22]
1933 FW George Goddard Wolverhampton Wanderers n/a [18]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
September 1933 FW Maurice Batchelor Hounslow Town Amateur [23]
May 1934 DF Tom Adamson Stockport County 1934 [24]
May 1934 HB Jimmy Bain Retired [25]
May 1934 GK Tom Baker Northampton Town 1934 [26]
May 1934 GK Jack Clough Rotherham United May 1934 [15]
May 1934 DF Jack French Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [27]
May 1934 HB Joe McClure Exeter City 1934 [28]
May 1934 FW Bob Mortimer Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 1934 [29]
May 1934 FW Alexander Stevenson Southend United 1934 [30]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The "Bees'" Triumph – Deficit at End of a Record Year – Looking Ahead". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 30 June 1933.
  2. ^ White 1989, p. 140-141.
  3. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 58.
  4. ^ a b c d "Brentford results for the 1933–1934 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  5. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 17.
  6. ^ "Brentford Table on Saturday 28th April 1934". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  7. ^ "All of the results on Saturday 5th May 1934". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Brentford League Table 1933-1934". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 372. ISBN 0951526200.
  10. ^ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 62. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  11. ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  12. ^ Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  13. ^ "England Matches – The Amateurs 1906–1939". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  14. ^ "Brentford's Capture. Young Southport Full Back Comes to Griffin Park. Jack Astley". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 2 June 1933.
  15. ^ a b "Clough Jack Middlesbrough 1923". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  16. ^ "Brentford's Capture. Noted Centre-half Comes to Griffin Park". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 9 June 1933.
  17. ^ a b c Argus (18 August 1933). "Brentford – New Players Who Will Strengthen The Team". The Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  18. ^ a b Joyce 2012, p. 112.
  19. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 150.
  20. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 108.
  21. ^ "Q and R". The Bristol Rovers History Group. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  22. ^ "William Smith". Holmesdale Online. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  23. ^ "Hounslow Town's New Centre – Capture From Brentford F.C.". Middlesex Chronicle. 2 September 1933.
  24. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 8.
  25. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 14-15.
  26. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 15.
  27. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45-46.
  28. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 103.
  29. ^ Joyce 2012, p. 211.
  30. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 154-155.
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