1997–98 season of Brentford F.C.
Brentford 1997–98 football 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.
In August 1997 and following defeat in the 1997 Second Division play-off final , David Webb moved "upstairs" to become the club's new chief executive.[ 1] Formerly Brentford manager since the beginning of the 1993–94 season, Webb acquired a majority shareholding of the club as part of a consortium with Tony Swaisland (chairman) and John Herting (director).[ 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.[ 1] Brian Statham was sold later in August and promising youngster Marcus Bent was 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.[ 1] 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 .[ 2] 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.[ 2]
In a bid to strengthen the team, Adams sought experienced players and signed 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. Multiple protests were staged 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.[ 2] Brentford went into the final day of the season one place above the relegation zone, having won just one of the previous four matches.[ 2] 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.[ 5] A 2–1 defeat and victory for 22nd-place Burnley relegated the club to the Third Division for the first time in 20 years.[ 5] [ 6]
Source: Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
Brentford's goal tally listed first.
Pre-season and friendlies [ edit ]
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorer(s)
16 July 1997
Hampton
A
3–0
n/a
Anderson , Dennis , Bent
21 July 1997
Hertford Town
A
5–0
n/a
Spencer (2), Hurdle (2), Asaba
23 July 1997
Chertsey Town
A
4–0
n/a
Taylor , Spencer , Rapley , Canham (pen )
26 July 1997
Dover Athletic
A
2–0
n/a
Taylor , Myall
29 July 1997
Wimbledon
H
1–3
2,322
Asaba
31 July 1997
Yeading
A
1–0
n/a
Rapley
2 August 1997
Hayes
A
0–3
n/a
6 December 1997
St Albans City
A
5–3
n/a
Denys (2), Spencer , Hurdle , Omigie
27 January 1998
Kingstonian
A
1–1
n/a
Goddard
23 March 1998
Kingstonian
A
0–1
n/a
4 May 1998
Feltham
A
4–4
n/a
Bryan (2), Rapley , Adams
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
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorer(s)
SR2
13 January 1998
Luton Town
A
1–2
3,106
Townley
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1997–98 season.
Kevin Lock (1 – 12 August 1997)[ edit ]
Name
Role
Kevin Lock
Caretaker Manager
Graham Benstead
Goalkeeping Coach
Keith Allinson
Physiotherapist
Fergus Dignan
Medical Officer
Eddie May (12 August – 5 November 1997)[ edit ]
Micky Adams (5 November 1997 – 2 May 1998)[ edit ]
Name
Role
Micky Adams
Manager
Glenn Cockerill
Assistant Manager
Kevin Lock
Football Coordinator
Stuart Bevis
Physiotherapist
Fergus Dignan
Medical Officer
Colin Martin
Medical Officer
Appearances and goals [ edit ]
Substitute appearances in brackets.
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
Source: Soccerbase
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
Source: Soccerbase
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
Source: Soccerbase
Name
Nat
From
To
Record All Comps
Record League
P
W
D
L
W %
P
W
D
L
W %
Kevin Lock (caretaker)
9 August 1997
12 August 1997
1
0
0
1
00 0.00
1
0
0
1
00 0.00
Eddie May
12 August 1997
5 November 1997
19
5
5
9
0 26.32
15
4
4
7
0 26.67
Micky Adams
5 November 1997
2 May 1998
33
7
15
11
0 21.21
30
7
13
10
0 23.33
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
Players transferred in
Date
Pos.
Name
Previous Club
Fee
Ref.
1 August 1997
MF
Paul Barrowcliff
Stevenage Borough
£60,000
[ 1]
1 August 1997
DF
Graham Benstead
Kingstonian
Free
[ 11]
1 August 1997
MF
Simon Spencer
Tottenham Hotspur
Free
[ 12]
1 August 1997
MF
Simon Wormull
Tottenham Hotspur
Free
[ 13]
22 August 1997
MF
Charlie Oatway
Torquay United
£12,000
[ 14]
29 August 1997
FW
Derek Bryan
Hampton
£50,000
[ 15]
1 September 1997
FW
Ricky Reina
Dover Athletic
£50,000
[ 16]
17 September 1997
DF
Leon Townley
Tottenham Hotspur
£25,000
[ 17]
7 November 1997
MF
Glenn Cockerill
Fulham
Free
[ 18]
20 November 1997
MF
Warren Aspinall
Carlisle United
£50,000
[ 19]
21 November 1997
FW
Andy Scott
Sheffield United
£75,000
[ 20]
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
[ 22]
27 February 1998
FW
Niall Thompson
Zultse VV
Non-contract
[ 23]
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
[ 25]
3 October 1997
DF
Gareth Hall
Sunderland
3 November 1997
[ 26]
16 October 1997
GK
Nick Colgan
Chelsea
4 November 1997
[ 27]
17 November 1997
MF
Nigel Gleghorn
Burnley
24 January 1998
[ 28]
12 December 1997
DF
Paul Watson
Fulham
18 December 1997
[ 29]
21 January 1998
GK
Mike Pollitt
Notts County
21 February 1998
[ 30]
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
[ 1]
7 August 1997
FW
Carl Asaba
Reading
£800,000
[ 32]
9 August 1997
DF
Barry Ashby
Gillingham
£140,000
[ 1]
22 August 1997
DF
Brian Statham
Gillingham
£10,000
[ 14]
8 January 1998
FW
Marcus Bent
Crystal Palace
£300,000
[ 33]
31 March 1998
MF
Richard Goddard
Woking
£7,500
[ 8]
Players loaned out
Date from
Pos.
Name
To
Date to
Ref.
3 October 1997
GK
Tamer Fernandes
Peterborough United
3 November 1997
[ 34]
10 October 1997
MF
Paul Barrowcliff
Stevenage Borough
10 November 1997
[ 35]
10 October 1997
MF
Richard Goddard
Woking
31 March 1998
[ 36]
30 January 1998
MF
Ryan Denys
Yeovil Town
28 February 1998
[ 37]
Players released
Date
Pos.
Name
Subsequent club
Join date
Ref.
1 January 1998
DF
Stuart Myall
Hastings Town
1998
[ 38]
January 1998
GK
Graham Benstead
Basingstoke Town
January 1998
January 1998
DF
Gus Hurdle
Plymouth Argyle
1998
January 1998
FW
Joe Omigie
Welling United
1998
January 1998
MF
Simon Spencer
Yeovil Town
February 1998
29 January 1998
GK
Tamer Fernandes
Colchester United
29 January 1998
25 February 1998
DF
Lee Harvey
Stevenage Borough
28 February 1998
[ 39]
25 March 1998
MF
Simon Wormull
Brighton & Hove Albion
25 March 1998
[ 40]
April 1998
FW
Ricky Reina
Dover Athletic
August 1998
30 June 1998
MF
Paul Barrowcliff
Hendon
1998
[ 42]
30 June 1998
MF
Steven Blaney
St Albans City
August 1998
[ 42]
30 June 1998
MF
Scott Canham
Leyton Orient
10 August 1998
[ 42]
30 June 1998
MF
Glenn Cockerill
Retired
[ 43]
30 June 1998
DF
Graeme Hogg
Retired
[ 42]
30 June 1998
FW
Malcolm McPherson
Retired
[ 42]
Supplier: Cobra Sports Sponsor(s): Ericsson
Source: Brentford F.C.
^ a b c d e f g h i j Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2013). The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties . Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. pp. 258–259. ISBN 9781906796723 .
^ a b c d "Brentford results for the 1997–1998 season" . Statto.com . Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016 .
^ a b James, Alex (22 May 2022). "Inside story of Burnley's last final day survival shoot-out" . LancsLive . Retrieved 3 June 2023 .
^ "Brentford Complete History" . Statto.com . Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016 .
^ a b Brentford Matchday Magazine versus Northampton Town . Quay Design of Poole. 21 March 1998. p. 3.
^ Niall Thompson at the Canadian Soccer Association . Retrieved 11 November 2016.
^ "Graham Benstead" . rdfc1992 . 13 August 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2018 .
^ Simon Spencer at Soccerbase
^ Simon Wormull at Soccerbase
^ a b Brentford Matchday Magazine versus Grimsby Town . Quay Design of Poole. 30 August 1997. p. 2.
^ Derek Bryan at Soccerbase
^ Ricky Reina at Soccerbase
^ Brentford Matchday Magazine versus Burnley . Quay Design of Poole. 27 September 1997. p. 2.
^ Glenn Cockerill at Soccerbase
^ Warren Aspinall at Soccerbase
^ Andy Scott at Soccerbase
^ Danny Cullip at Soccerbase
^ Niall Thompson at Soccerbase
^ Michael Black at Soccerbase
^ Gareth Hall at Soccerbase
^ Nick Colgan at Soccerbase
^ Nigel Gleghorn at Soccerbase
^ Paul Watsn at Soccerbase
^ Mike Pollitt at Soccerbase
^ Carl Asaba at Soccerbase
^ Marcus Bent at Soccerbase
^ Tamer Fernandes at Soccerbase
^ Paul Barrowcliff at Soccerbase
^ Richard Goddard-Crawley at Soccerbase
^ Ryan Denys at Soccerbase
^ "Stuart Myall" . 11v11.com . Retrieved 17 April 2016 .
^ Lee Harvey at Soccerbase
^ "Seagulls in signing blitz" . The Argus . Retrieved 16 April 2016 .
^ a b c d e f g h "Around the Hive" . 10 June 1998. Archived from the original on 10 June 1998. Retrieved 12 November 2016 .
^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 . Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 38. ISBN 0955294916 .
^ Sewell, Albert, ed. (1998). News Of The World Football Annual 1998–99 . Hammersmith, London: Invincible Press. p. 353. ISBN 0002188570 .
National teams
League competitions
Level 1 Levels 2–4 Level 5 Levels 6–7 Levels 8–9
Isthmian League (Two , Three )
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 Alliance (level 8 only )
Midland Football Combination (level 9 only )
North West Counties League (One , Two )
Northern Counties East League (Premier , One )
Northern League (One , Two )
Spartan South Midlands League (Premier North , Premier South , Senior )
Sussex County League (One , Two )
United Counties League (Premier , One )
Wessex League (level 8 only )
West Midlands (Regional) League (level 9 only )
Western League (Premier , One )
Cup competitions
FA cups Football League cups
European competitions