1920–21 Brentford F.C. season

Brentford
1920–21 season
ChairmanH. Jason-Saunders
Secretary ManagerFred Halliday
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division21st
FA CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: King (17)
All: King (18)
Highest home attendance16,379
Lowest home attendance4,000
Average home league attendance8,660

During the 1920–21 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. It was Brentford's inaugural season in the Football League and ended with the club successfully applying for re-election.

Season summary

After 18 seasons as members of the Southern League, Brentford were named as founder members of the new Football League Third Division for the 1920–21 campaign.[1] In preparation, 11 new players were signed and £2,000 was spent on improvements to Griffin Park.[2] Despite flirting with a position in mid-table during August and September 1920, the club endured a torrid season, sinking to the re-election places by October and largely remaining there for the rest of the season.[3] The FA Cup was exited in the first round.[3] Brentford successfully applied for re-election to the Football League at the end of the season without going to a poll.[4] Three directors resigned after the season, due to a deficit of nearly £6,000 (equivalent to £336,200 in 2023).[2]

The goalscoring of former Arsenal forward Harry King provided one of the rare bright spots of the season, with his 18 goals accounting for nearly half that of the team's total.[5] King also became the first Brentford player to register a Football League hat-trick in a 5–0 thrashing of Grimsby Town on 28 March 1921,[5] the Bees' biggest win of the season.[3] The result established the club record for the highest winning margin in a Football League match, which would stand until broken in September 1929.[6] Secretary manager Fred Halliday stood down after the season and reverted to an administrative role within the club.[7] Management adviser Billy Brawn also stepped down.[8] Brentford's 9 league victories during the season is the joint-fewest in the club's history and Jimmy Hodson became the club's record-oldest player when he appeared in the final match of the season at age 40 years, 8 months and two days.[9]

League table

Main article: 1920–21 Football League Third Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion
18 Brighton & Hove Albion 42 14 8 20 42 61 0.689 36
19 Exeter City 42 10 15 17 39 54 0.722 35
20 Reading 42 12 7 23 42 59 0.712 31
21 Brentford 42 9 12 21 42 67 0.627 30 Re-elected
22 Gillingham 42 8 12 22 34 74 0.459 28
Source: fchd.info

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division

No. Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1 28 August 1920 Exeter City A 0–3 6,000
2 30 August 1920 Millwall H 1–0 11,000 Boyne
3 4 September 1920 Exeter City H 0–0 10,000
4 6 September 1920 Millwall A 0–0 15,000
5 11 September 1920 Brighton & Hove Albion H 2–0 8,000 Amos, Challinor
6 18 September 1920 Brighton & Hove Albion A 0–4 5,500
7 25 September 1920 Crystal Palace H 0–4 13,000
8 2 October 1920 Crystal Palace A 2–4 15,000 King (2)
9 9 October 1920 Norwich City A 0–0 9,000
10 16 October 1920 Norwich City H 3–1 8,000 King (2), Thompson
11 23 October 1920 Southampton A 0–3 10,000
12 30 October 1920 Southampton H 1–1 7,000 Thompson (pen)
13 6 November 1920 Bristol Rovers A 1–2 8,500 King
14 13 November 1920 Bristol Rovers H 0–0 6,000
15 20 November 1920 Reading A 1–2 4,000 Spreadbury
16 27 November 1920 Reading H 3–2 5,000 Boyne (2), King
17 4 December 1920 Luton Town A 0–2 6,000
18 11 December 1920 Luton Town H 1–0 6,000 Boyne
19 18 December 1920 Newport County H 2–2 6,000 King (2, 1 pen)
20 25 December 1920 Queens Park Rangers H 0–2 16,379
21 27 December 1920 Queens Park Rangers A 0–1 25,000
22 1 January 1921 Newport County A 1–3 4,000 King
23 15 January 1921 Gillingham A 3–1 7,000 Boyne (2), King
24 22 January 1921 Gillingham H 3–3 7,000 Amos, King (pen), Boyne
25 5 February 1921 Swansea Town H 1–2 7,000 Elliott
26 12 February 1921 Swindon Town A 0–1 6,000
27 19 February 1921 Swindon Town H 0–1 10,000
28 26 February 1921 Portsmouth A 2–0 13,645 Henery, Anstiss
29 5 March 1921 Portsmouth H 1–2 8,000 Boyne
30 12 March 1921 Watford A 0–1 5,000
31 19 March 1921 Watford H 1–0 6,000 Anstiss
32 25 March 1921 Grimsby Town A 0–2 8,000
33 26 March 1921 Northampton Town H 1–1 7,000 King
34 28 March 1921 Grimsby Town H 5–0 7,000 King (3, 1 pen), Boyne, Anstiss
35 2 April 1921 Northampton Town A 2–6 6,000 King, Elliott
36 9 April 1921 Southend United H 2–2 4,000 Spreadbury, Boyne
37 16 April 1921 Southend United A 1–4 6,000 Anstiss
38 25 April 1921 Merthyr Town H 0–0 7,000
39 28 April 1921 Swansea Town A 1–1 5,000 King (pen)
40 30 April 1921 Merthyr Town A 1–3 4,000 Challinor
41 2 May 1921 Plymouth Argyle A 0–0 5,000
42 7 May 1921 Plymouth Argyle H 0–1 4,000

FA Cup

Main article: 1920–21 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer
R1 8 January 1921 Huddersfield Town H 1–2 14,892 King

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1920–21 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Jack Durston (1893-07-11)11 July 1893 (aged 27) Queens Park Rangers 1919 Played when his cricket commitments allowed
GK William Young (1892-08-04)4 August 1892 (aged 28) South Shields 1920
Defenders
DF Jimmy Hodson (c) (1880-09-05)5 September 1880 (aged 39) Belfast Celtic 1919
DF William Kearney (1895-09-18)18 September 1895 (aged 24) Sunderland Celtic 1920
DF Bertie Rosier (1893-03-21)21 March 1893 (aged 27) Southall 1913
DF Walter Spratt (1889-04-14)14 April 1889 (aged 31) Manchester United 1920
Midfielders
HB Alf Amos (1893-02-09)9 February 1893 (aged 27) Old Kingstonians 1913
HB Samuel Challinor (1890-04-02)2 April 1890 (aged 30) Tranmere Rovers 1920
HB Jimmy Elliott 1891 (aged 28–29) Tottenham Hotspur 1920
HB Fred Howe 1895 (aged 24–25) Kimberworth Old Boys 1920
HB Sam Morris (1886-10-23)23 October 1886 (aged 33) Unattached 1919
Forwards
FW Harry Anstiss (1899-08-22)22 August 1899 (aged 21) Hammersmith Athletic 1920
FW Reginald Boyne (1891-11-16)16 November 1891 (aged 28) Aston Villa 1919
FW Jack Cartmell (1890-08-28)28 August 1890 (aged 30) Unattached 1919
FW Herbert Cock (1900-10-07)7 October 1900 (aged 19) Unattached 1921
FW Patsy Hendren (1889-02-05)5 February 1889 (aged 31) Queens Park Rangers 1911 Played when his cricket commitments allowed
FW John Henery n/a Houghton Rovers 1920
FW Harry King (1886-01-04)4 January 1886 (aged 34) Leicester City 1920
FW George Smith n/a South Shields 1920
FW Bert Spreadbury (1892-04-30)30 April 1892 (aged 28) Royal Ordnance Woolwich 1920
FW George Taylor (1900-06-03)3 June 1900 (aged 20) Brentford Thursday 1920
FW Alfred Thompson (1891-04-28)28 April 1891 (aged 29) Unattached 1919
Players who left the club mid-season
HB Ernest Levitt (1893-04-02)2 April 1893 (aged 27) New Silksworth 1920 Transferred to West Stanley
FW Billy Baker (1894-01-08)8 January 1894 (aged 26) Unattached 1920 Transferred to Manchester City
FW Fred Morley (1888-03-01)1 March 1888 (aged 32) Blackpool 1913 Released
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[10] Timeless Bees,[12] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[13]

Coaching staff

Name Role
Fred Halliday Secretary Manager
Billy Brawn Advisory Manager
Michael Witham Trainer

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 Jack Durston 24 0 0 0 24 0
GK William Young 18 0 1 0 19 0
DF Jimmy Hodson 33 0 1 0 34 0
DF William Kearney 6 0 0 0 6 0
DF Bertie Rosier 34 0 1 0 35 0
DF Walter Spratt 4 0 0 0 4 0
HB Alf Amos 35 2 1 0 36 2
HB Samuel Challinor 31 2 1 0 32 2
HB Jimmy Elliott 38 2 1 0 39 2
HB Fred Howe 2 0 0 0 2 0
HB Ernest Levitt 6 0 — 6 0
HB Sam Morris 27 0 0 0 27 0
FW Harry Anstiss 19 4 0 0 19 4
FW Billy Baker 4 0 0 0 4 0
FW Reginald Boyne 21 10 1 0 22 10
FW Jack Cartmell 29 0 1 0 30 0
FW Herbert Cock 1 0 — 1 0
FW Patsy Hendren 2 0 — 2 0
FW John Henery 20 1 1 0 21 0
FW Harry King 33 17 1 1 34 18
FW Fred Morley 16 0 1 0 17 0
FW George Smith 9 0 0 0 9 0
FW Bert Spreadbury 12 2 0 0 12 2
FW George Taylor 23 0 0 0 23 0
FW Alfred Thompson 15 2 0 0 15 2
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[10]

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW Harry King 17 1 18
FW Reginald Boyne 10 0 10
FW Harry Anstiss 4 0 4
HB Alf Amos 2 0 2
HB Samuel Challinor 2 0 2
HB Jimmy Elliott 2 0 2
FW Bert Spreadbury 2 0 2
FW Alfred Thompson 2 0 2
Total 42 1 43
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[10]

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
P W D L W % P W D L W %
Fred Halliday 28 August 1920 7 May 1921 43 9 12 22 020.93 42 9 12 21 021.43

Summary

Games played 43 (42 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Games won 9 (9 Third Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn 12 (12 Third Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost 22 (21 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored 43 (42 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals conceded 69 (67 Third Division, 2 FA Cup)
Clean sheets 12 (12 Third Division, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win 5–0 versus Grimsby Town, 28 March 1921
Worst league defeat 4–0 on two occasions, 6–2 versus Northampton Town, 2 April 1921
Most appearances 39, Jimmy Elliott (38 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league) 17, Harry King
Top scorer (all competitions) 18, Harry King

Transfers & loans

Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous club Fee Ref.
3 May 1920 DF William Kearney Sunderland Celtic Free [14]
7 May 1920 DF Walter Spratt Manchester United Free [15]
15 May 1920 HB Jimmy Elliott Tottenham Hotspur Free [16]
17 June 1920 HB Ernest Levitt New Silksworth Free [17]
17 June 1920 FW George Smith South Shields Free [18]
23 July 1920 GK William Young South Shields Free [19]
26 August 1920 HB Samuel Challinor Tranmere Rovers Free [20]
August 1920 FW Harry Anstiss Hammersmith Athletic Amateur [21]
3 September 1920 FW Harry King Leicester City Free [18]
15 October 1920 FW Billy Baker Unattached Free [22]
29 October 1920 FW T. Bainbridge n/a n/a [23]
18 December 1920 HB Fred Howe Kimberworth Old Boys Free [24]
30 December 1920 n/a J. Thomas Kimberworth Old Boys n/a [23]
31 December 1920 FW George Taylor Brentford Thursday Free [25]
7 February 1921 FW Herbert Cock n/a Amateur [26]
1920 FW Robert Bates Wolverhampton Wanderers Amateur [27]
1920 DF Archie Reay Gnome Athletic Free [28]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
31 December 1920 HB Ernest Levitt West Stanley n/a [23]
27 January 1921 n/a J. Thomas Rotherham County n/a [23]
9 February 1921 FW Billy Baker Manchester City n/a [23]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
January 1921 FW Fred Morley Philadelphia Field Club 1921 [29]
May 1921 FW Reginald Boyne Retired [30]
May 1921 HB Jack Cartmell Boscombe 1921 [31]
May 1921 HB Samuel Challinor Halifax Town July 1921 [32]
May 1921 FW Herbert Cock Retired [33]
May 1921 FW John Henery Darlington 1921 [34]
May 1921 DF Jimmy Hodson Guildford United May 1921 [35]
May 1921 DF William Kearney Retired [14]
May 1921 FW Harry King Retired [5]
May 1921 HB Sam Morris Maidstone United 1921 [36]
May 1921 FW George Smith Retired [18]
May 1921 DF Walter Spratt Sittingbourne 1921 [15]
May 1921 FW Bert Spreadbury Woolwich 1921 [15]
May 1921 FW George Taylor Millwall 1921 [25]
May 1921 FW Alfred Thompson Guildford United 1921 [25]

References

  1. ^ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 55. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  2. ^ a b White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. pp. 113–114. ISBN 0951526200.
  3. ^ a b c "Brentford results for the 1920–1921 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  4. ^ Haynes 1998, p. 107.
  5. ^ a b c Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 92.
  6. ^ Haynes 1998, p. 133.
  7. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 174-175.
  8. ^ Haynes 1998, p. 20-21.
  9. ^ Haynes 1998, p. 78, 99.
  10. ^ a b c d White 1989, p. 366.
  11. ^ Haynes, Graham; Twydell, Dave (2008). Brentford F.C.: The Complete History 1889–2008. Harefield: Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0-9557889-5-6. OCLC 528356934.
  12. ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  13. ^ Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  14. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 91.
  15. ^ a b c Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 153.
  16. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 53.
  17. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 97.
  18. ^ a b c Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 148.
  19. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 172.
  20. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 36.
  21. ^ "Player: Henry Augustus Anstiss". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  22. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 15.
  23. ^ a b c d e "The Football Association – Season 1920–21 – Summary Of Professional Registrations". Sky is Blue – The Chesterfield FC history resource. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Notes On The Players". Brentford F.C. Handbook 1921–22. 1921.
  25. ^ a b c Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 158.
  26. ^ "Gleanings – Notes And News About Clubs And Players". The Athletic News. 24 January 1921.
  27. ^ Bystander, The (1920). Brentford Football Club Official Handbook 1920–21. F. W. Dimbleby & Sons. p. 18.
  28. ^ "Brentford Football Club – Players Signed On". The Chiswick Times. 13 August 1920.
  29. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 110.
  30. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 25.
  31. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 35.
  32. ^ "Challinor Sam Halifax Town 1921". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  33. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 38.
  34. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 75.
  35. ^ "Hodson Jimmy Brentford 1920". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  36. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 111.
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