During the 1988–89 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The gruelling 63-match season is best remembered for the Bees' run to the sixth round of the FA Cup. Brentford narrowly failed to qualify for the play-offs, but the club's final placing of 7th was its highest in the league pyramid since the 1964–65 season.
Season summary
After a disappointing end to what was a positive first full season in charge, Brentford manager Steve Perryman identified that his principle starting XI would be complete with a creative winger and a reliable goalscoring forward.[2] Perryman broke the Bees' incoming transfer record by spending £77,500 on Sheffield United forward Richard Cadette in July 1988.[3] Perryman brought experienced winger Neil Smillie back to Griffin Park, 11 years after Smillie had initially played for the Bees on loan.[4] Also arriving at Griffin Park was goalkeeper Tony Parks from Tottenham Hotspur for a £60,000 fee and replaced Gary Phillips, who joined Reading for £25,000.[3] On the eve of the season, right back Roger Joseph, who had been named in the 1987–88 Third Division PFA Team of the Year, joined Wimbledon for a new club record outgoing transfer fee of £150,000.[4]
Brentford enjoyed one of the most exciting seasons in years, producing some notable results in both the Third Division and the cup competitions.[5] The Bees trod water in mid-table for most of the season, before a run of eight wins and two draws from a 10-match spell in March and April 1989 raised the club to 7th position, one place outside the play-off zone,[6] despite the club record £350,000 sale of influential midfielder Andy Sinton to Queens Park Rangers.[3] Two consecutive defeats in early May left Brentford in 9th place, still with a chance of a play-off finish going into the final two matches of the season,[6] but a 1–1 draw with Swansea City at Griffin Park in the penultimate match of the season ended any mathematical chances.[7] Despite drawing the final match of the season, defeats for former play-off-contending rivals Chester City and Notts County raised Brentford to a credible 7th-place finish.[6]
In the cup competitions, Brentford advanced to the second round of the League Cup and the Southern Area semi-finals of the Football League Trophy.[6] Notably the Bees faced local rivals Fulham in both competitions and in the Third Division, winning two, drawing two and losing one of the five matches between the sides during the season.[6] In the FA Cup, Brentford advanced to the sixth round for the first time since the 1948–49 season.[8] Non-league club Halesowen Town were dispatched in the first round, but it took replays to see off Peterborough United and Walsall in the second and third rounds respectively.[6] The Bees faced high-flying Second Division club Manchester City in the fourth round at a sold-out Griffin Park and emerged 3–1 victors thanks to a Gary Blissett brace and one goal from Keith Jones.[9] Brentford also drew promotion-chasing Second Division opposition in the fifth round – Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.[9] 3,000 travelling supporters watched Brentford hold Rovers at 0–0 until the 80th minute, when Gary Blissett scored the first of the only two goals of the match to put the Bees into the hat for the sixth round.[9] Brentford were drawn against First Division giants Liverpool at Anfield, for a match which would be one of the club's biggest occasions of the postwar era.[9] Steve McMahon opened the scoring after 15 minutes and the Bees held firm until midway through the second half, when three Liverpool goals in a 16-minute spell saw the match finish with an unflattering 4–0 scoreline.[9]
Central defender Terry Evans missed just one match during the season and finished with 62 appearances, the club record for a player in a single season.[10]
League table
Source:
Results
- Brentford's goal tally listed first.
Legend
Pre-season
No.
|
Date |
Opponent |
Venue |
Result
|
Attendance |
Scorer(s)
|
1
|
27 August 1988 |
Huddersfield Town |
H |
1–0
|
5,016 |
Cockram
|
2
|
3 September 1988 |
Northampton Town |
A |
0–1
|
4,488 |
|
3
|
10 September 1988 |
Wigan Athletic |
H |
1–1
|
4,081 |
Blissett
|
4
|
17 September 1988 |
Swansea City |
A |
1–1
|
5,015 |
Millen
|
5
|
21 September 1988 |
Bristol Rovers |
A |
2–1
|
3,836 |
Cadette (2)
|
6
|
24 September 1988 |
Sheffield United |
H |
1–4
|
6,577 |
Sinton (pen)
|
7
|
1 October 1988 |
Gillingham |
H |
1–0
|
4,839 |
Sinton (pen)
|
8
|
5 October 1988 |
Chester City |
A |
2–3
|
1,999 |
Blissett, Cadette
|
9
|
9 October 1988 |
Southend United
|
H |
4–0
|
5,016 |
Evans, Sinton (2), Cockram
|
10
|
15 October 1988 |
Bury |
A |
1–3
|
2,359 |
Cockram
|
11
|
22 October 1988 |
Preston North End |
H |
0–2
|
5,584 |
|
12
|
25 October 1988 |
Chesterfield |
A |
2–2
|
1,876 |
Cadette (2)
|
13
|
29 October 1988 |
Port Vale |
H |
2–1
|
5,212 |
Jones, Holdsworth
|
14
|
5 November 1988 |
Reading |
A |
2–2
|
7,974 |
Sinton (2, 1 pen)
|
15
|
8 November 1988 |
Notts County |
H |
2–1
|
4,013 |
Cadette (2)
|
16
|
21 November 1988 |
Mansfield Town |
A |
0–1
|
3,196 |
|
17
|
25 November 1988 |
Cardiff City
|
A |
0–1
|
3,405 |
|
18
|
3 December 1988 |
Bolton Wanderers |
H |
3–0
|
4,628 |
Cadette (2), Evans
|
19
|
18 December 1988 |
Aldershot |
A |
0–0
|
4,012 |
|
20
|
26 December 1988 |
Blackpool
|
H |
1–0
|
6,021 |
Sinton
|
21
|
31 December 1988 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
H |
2–2
|
8,020 |
Godfrey, Jones
|
22
|
2 January 1989 |
Fulham |
A |
3–3
|
8,120 |
Sinton, Godfrey, Cadette
|
23
|
14 January 1989 |
Northampton Town |
H |
2–0
|
6,043 |
Cadette, Stanislaus
|
24
|
21 January 1989 |
Wigan Athletic |
A |
1–1
|
2,514 |
Sinton
|
25
|
4 February 1989 |
Gillingham |
A |
0–0
|
4,002 |
|
26
|
11 February 1989 |
Chester City
|
H |
0–1
|
5,748 |
|
27
|
25 February 1989 |
Bury |
H |
2–2
|
6,077 |
Godfrey, Blissett
|
28
|
28 February 1989 |
Chesterfield |
H |
1–0
|
4,192 |
Cadette
|
29
|
4 March 1989 |
Preston North End
|
A |
3–5
|
8,191 |
Ratcliffe, Bates, Godfrey
|
30
|
11 March 1989 |
Reading |
H |
3–2
|
6,866 |
Millen, Evans, Sinton (pen)
|
31
|
13 March 1989
|
Port Vale
|
A
|
2–3
|
5,577
|
Godfrey, Millen
|
32
|
24 March 1989 |
Fulham
|
H |
0–1
|
10,851 |
|
33
|
27 March 1989
|
Blackpool
|
A
|
3–0
|
3,305
|
Godfrey, Cockram (2, 1 pen)
|
34
|
1 April 1989
|
Aldershot
|
H
|
2–1
|
5,200
|
Jones, Sealy
|
35
|
4 April 1989 |
Bristol City |
H |
3–0
|
4,627 |
Sealy (2), Cockram (pen)
|
36
|
8 April 1989 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
A |
0–2
|
14,356 |
|
37
|
11 April 1989 |
Bristol City |
A |
1–0
|
4,339 |
Evans
|
38
|
15 April 1989 |
Bristol Rovers
|
H |
2–1
|
7,558 |
Blissett, Smillie
|
39
|
18 April 1989 |
Southend United
|
A |
1–1
|
4,194 |
Smillie
|
40
|
22 April 1989
|
Sheffield United
|
A
|
2–2
|
12,613
|
Sealy, Godfrey
|
41
|
25 April 1989 |
Huddersfield Town |
A |
2–1
|
3,538 |
Godfrey, Blissett
|
42
|
29 April 1989 |
Mansfield Town |
H |
1–0
|
5,231 |
Cockram
|
43
|
1 May 1989 |
Notts County |
A |
0–3
|
4,989 |
|
44
|
6 May 1989 |
Bolton Wanderers |
A |
2–4
|
4,627 |
Ansah (2)
|
45
|
9 May 1989 |
Swansea City
|
H |
1–1
|
4,415 |
Blissett
|
46
|
13 May 1989 |
Cardiff City
|
H |
1–1
|
4,865 |
Evans
|
FA Cup
Round |
Date |
Opponent |
Venue |
Result
|
Attendance
|
Scorer(s)
|
1R
|
19 November 1988
|
Halesowen Town
|
H
|
2–0
|
4,514
|
Evans, Sinton
|
2R
|
10 December 1988
|
Peterborough United
|
A
|
0–0
|
5,609
|
|
2R (replay)
|
14 December 1988
|
Peterborough United
|
H
|
3–2
|
5,605
|
Cadette, Cockram, Smillie
|
3R
|
7 January 1989
|
Walsall
|
A
|
1–1
|
5,375
|
Jones
|
3R (replay)
|
10 January 1989
|
Walsall
|
H
|
1–0
|
8,163
|
Cockram
|
4R
|
28 January 1989
|
Manchester City
|
H
|
3–1
|
12,100
|
Blissett (2), Jones
|
5R
|
18 February 1989
|
Blackburn Rovers
|
A
|
2–0
|
15,280
|
Blissett (2)
|
6R |
18 March 1989 |
Liverpool
|
A |
0–4
|
42,376
|
|
- Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[1] The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties,[9] Statto
Playing squad
- Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1988–89 season.
- Sources: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties,[11] Timeless Bees[12]
Coaching staff
Statistics
Appearances and goals
- Substitute appearances in brackets.
- Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
- Source: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties[13]
Goalscorers
- Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
- Source: The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties[13]
Management
Name
|
Nat
|
From
|
To
|
Record All Comps
|
Record League
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
W % |
P |
W |
D |
L |
W %
|
Steve Perryman
|
|
27 August 1988
|
13 May 1989
|
63
|
29
|
17
|
17
|
046.03
|
46
|
18
|
14
|
14
|
039.13
|
Summary
Games played |
63 (46 Third Division, 8 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 5 Football League Trophy)
|
Games won |
29 (18 Third Division, 5 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 4 Football League Trophy)
|
Games drawn |
17 (14 Third Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy)
|
Games lost |
17 (14 Third Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
|
Goals scored |
93 (66 Third Division, 12 FA Cup, 8 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy)
|
Goals conceded |
84 (61 Third Division, 8 FA Cup, 8 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy)
|
Clean sheets |
22 (13 Third Division, 4 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 4 Football League Trophy)
|
Biggest league win |
4–0 versus Southend United, 9 October 1988
|
Worst league defeat |
3–0 versus Notts County, 1 May 1989; 4–1 versus Sheffield United, 24 September 1988; 5–3 versus Preston North End, 4 March 1989
|
Most appearances |
62, Terry Evans (45 Third Division, 8 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 5 Football League Trophy)
|
Top scorer (league) |
12, Richard Cadette
|
Top scorer (all competitions) |
17, Richard Cadette
|
Transfers & loans
Kit
Supplier: Hobot
Sponsor(s): KLM
Source: Brentford F.C.
Awards
Notes
References
- ^ a b White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 400. ISBN 0951526200.
- ^ White, p. 337.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 248-257.
- ^ a b c White, p. 338-345.
- ^ Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 226.
- ^ a b c d e f "Brentford results for the 1988–1989 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ "Brentford Table on Saturday 6th May 1989". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ Brentford F.C. at the Football Club History Database
- ^ a b c d e f Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 228-247.
- ^ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 12. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
- ^ Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. ISBN 978-1906796716.
- ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
- ^ a b Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 430.
- ^ Haynes & Coumbe, p. 18.
- ^ Haynes & Coumbe, p. 71.
- ^ Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 465.
- ^ Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 276.
- ^ "Swindon Town FC – Profile – Tony Sealy". TownEnders.com. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ a b Croxford, Lane & Waterman, p. 383.
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National teams | |
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League competitions | Levels 1–4 | |
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Level 5 | |
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Levels 6–7 | |
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Levels 8–9 |
- Isthmian League (Two North, Two South)
- Combined Counties League (level 8 only)
- Eastern Counties League (Premier, One)
- Essex Senior League (level 8 only)
- Hellenic League (Premier, One)
- Kent League (level 8 only)
- Midland Football Combination (level 8 only)
- North West Counties League (One, Two)
- Northern Counties East League (Premier, One)
- Northern League (One, Two)
- South Midlands League (Premier, One)
- Spartan League (Premier, One)
- Sussex County League (One, Two)
- United Counties League (Premier, One)
- Wessex League (level 8 only)
- West Midlands (Regional) League (level 8 only)
- Western League (Premier, One)
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Cup competitions | FA cups | |
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Football League cups | |
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