Wikipedia

1930–31 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1930–31 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. Despite failing to challenge for promotion, the Bees finished in 3rd place and advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in four years.

Brentford
1930–31 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division South3rd
FA CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague: W. Lane (27)
All: W. Lane (32)
Highest home attendance23,544
Lowest home attendance2,306
Average home league attendance8,236

Season summary edit

 
Inside right Jack Lane, one of Brentford's great players of the 1920s and early 1930s, transferred out of the club in January 1931.

Brentford entered the 1930–31 Third Division South season with largely the same personnel which secured a runners-up finish the previous year. The only significant signing was goalkeeper Edward Nash from Swindon Town in September 1930, to cover for Freddie Fox,[1] from whom Nash would take over the goalkeeping position during the second half of the season.[2] The previous season's prolific forward line of Billy Lane, Jack Lane and Cecil Blakemore again showed excellent goalscoring form during the first half of the season, with Bill Berry returning to the fold after a season in the reserve team and replacing the out-of-form John Payne.[2]

Despite the large number of goals, the team's form was patchy, though a run of 8 defeats in 15 league matches between 27 September and 27 December 1930 only dropped the Bees from 5th to 7th position.[3] An 8–2 victory over Crystal Palace on Christmas Day was Brentford's biggest win of the season and equalled the club record for highest aggregate score in a Football League match.[4] The Bees also embarked on a run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, falling to First Division Portsmouth at Griffin Park.[3] Despite the transfer of 19-goal Jack Lane to Crystal Palace in January 1931,[5] Brentford's form improved,[3] with Billy Lane continuing to score and new forward signings George Robson and Les Wilkins making a contribution.[2] 9 wins in the final 31 matches saw the Bees finish the season in 3rd place,[3] 9 points behind champions Notts County.[6]

Brentford's 1930–31 season is notable for the amount of hat-tricks scored, with Billy Lane claiming three, Jack Lane two and Frederick Gamble one,[2] which convinced West Ham United to sign Gamble in exchange for Les Wilkins in February 1931, despite Gamble having made only 13 appearances in just under two years.[7] During the season, Billy Lane and Jack Lane each scored a hat-trick in the same match twice during a one-month period – in the 6–1 FA Cup first round victory over Ilford on 29 November 1930 and in the 8–2 league victory over Crystal Palace on Christmas Day.[8] Jack Lane's only goal of the game versus Norwich City in the FA Cup second round on 13 December 1930 marked the first time in the club's Football League history that three players had reached 10 goals for the season prior to Christmas Day.[9] The other goalscorers then on double figures were Billy Lane and Cecil Blakemore.[9]

League table edit

Main article: 1930–31 Football League Third Division South

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Notts County (C, P) 42 24 11 7 97 46 2.109 59 Promoted
2 Crystal Palace 42 22 7 13 107 71 1.507 51
3 Brentford 42 22 6 14 90 64 1.406 50
4 Brighton & Hove Albion 42 17 15 10 68 53 1.283 49
5 Southend United 42 22 5 15 76 60 1.267 49
Source: [citation needed]
(C) Division Champions; (P) Promoted

Results edit

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend edit

Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South edit

No. Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
1 30 August 1930 Luton Town A 1–1 11,686 Foster
2 3 September 1930 Northampton Town H 0–4 11,356
3 6 September 1930 Bristol Rovers H 4–0 9,919 Blakemore (2), W. Lane (2)
4 8 September 1930 Fulham A 1–1 12,248 W. Lane
5 13 September 1930 Newport County A 2–0 2,758 W. Lane
6 17 September 1930 Fulham H 4–1 9,564 W. Lane (2), J. Lane, Payne
7 20 September 1930 Gillingham H 1–1 9,407 Payne
8 24 September 1930 Notts County H 2–2 9,999 Blakemore (pen), W. Lane
9 27 September 1930 Exeter City A 0–4 5,352
10 4 October 1930 Brighton & Hove Albion H 3–2 9,348 W. Lane, Blakemore, J. Lane
11 11 October 1930 Torquay United A 3–0 6,944 J. Lane, Hill (og), W. Lane
12 18 October 1930 Coventry City H 1–2 10,244 W. Lane
13 25 October 1930 Walsall A 4–1 2,943 J. Lane, W. Lane, Berry
14 1 November 1930 Queens Park Rangers H 5–3 10,857 Berry (2), J. Lane, Blakemore (2, 1 pen)
15 8 November 1930 Norwich City A 0–3 9,172
16 15 November 1930 Thames H 6–1 7,211 Berry (2), J. Lane, Blakemore (2), W. Lane (2)
17 22 November 1930 Clapton Orient N 0–3 8,319 [nb 1]
18 6 December 1930 Watford A 3–1 6,775 W. Lane, Berry, Blakemore (pen)
19 18 December 1930 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic H 1–2 2,306 J. Lane
20 20 December 1930 Swindon Town A 2–3 4,728 Blakemore, J. Lane
21 25 December 1930 Crystal Palace H 8–2 11,770 J. Lane (3), Berry (2), W. Lane (3)
22 26 December 1930 Crystal Palace A 1–5 15,853 W. Lane
23 27 December 1930 Luton Town H 0–1 7,353
24 3 January 1931 Bristol Rovers A 5–2 7,449 W. Lane (3), Berry (2)
25 17 January 1931 Newport County H 3–2 7,170 J. Lane, Berry, W. Lane
26 28 January 1931 Gillingham A 1–1 2,547 J. Lane
27 31 January 1931 Exeter City H 2–1 7,575 Gamble, Berry
28 7 February 1931 Brighton & Hove Albion A 0–1 9,451
29 14 February 1931 Torquay United H 0–0 6,464
30 21 February 1931 Coventry City A 1–0 9,651 Blakemore
31 28 February 1931 Walsall H 6–1 7,117 Berry (2), Gamble (3), John (og)
32 7 March 1931 Queens Park Rangers A 1–3 10,331 Sherlaw
33 14 March 1931 Norwich City H 3–1 9,013 Hannah (og), Robson, Wilkins
34 21 March 1931 Thames A 0–2 3,675
35 28 March 1931 Clapton Orient H 3–0 7,757 W. Lane, Robson, Berry
36 3 April 1931 Southend United H 3–1 6,027 W. Lane, Blakemore, Robson
37 4 April 1931 Notts County A 0–1 14,759
38 6 April 1931 Southend United A 1–0 9,969 Berry
39 11 April 1931 Watford H 2–1 8,163 W. Lane, Blakemore (pen)
40 18 April 1931 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A 0–1 3,662
41 25 April 1931 Swindon Town H 5–2 4,327 Berry (2), W. Lane, Robson
42 2 May 1931 Northampton Town A 2–1 3,698 Sherlaw, Berry

FA Cup edit

Main article: 1930–31 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 29 November 1930 Ilford A 6–1 5,718 W. Lane (3), J. Lane (3)
2R 13 December 1930 Norwich City H 1–0 12,000 J. Lane
3R 10 January 1931 Cardiff City H 2–2 16,500 Berry, W. Lane
3R (replay) 14 January 1931 Cardiff City A 2–1 25,000 W. Lane, J. Lane
4R 24 January 1931 Portsmouth H 0–1 23,544

Playing squad edit

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1930–31 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Freddie Fox   (1898-11-22)22 November 1898 (aged 31) Halifax Town 1928
GK Frank McDonough   (1899-12-24)24 December 1899 (aged 30) Annfield Plain 1930
GK Edward Nash   (1902-04-12)12 April 1902 (aged 28) Swindon Town 1930
Defenders
DF Tom Adamson   (1901-02-12)12 February 1901 (aged 29) Bury 1929
DF Bill Bann   (1902-08-15)15 August 1902 (aged 28) Tottenham Hotspur 1930
DF William Hodge   (1904-08-31)31 August 1904 (aged 25) Rangers 1927
DF Alexander Stevenson   (1903-10-24)24 October 1903 (aged 26) Armadale 1927
Midfielders
HB Jimmy Bain   (1899-02-06)6 February 1899 (aged 31) Manchester Central 1928
HB Reginald Davies (c)   (1897-09-30)30 September 1897 (aged 32) Portsmouth 1928
HB Harry Salt   (1899-01-20)20 January 1899 (aged 31) Crystal Palace 1929
HB Teddy Ware   (1906-09-17)17 September 1906 (aged 23) Chatham Town 1928
Forwards
FW Ralph Allen   (1906-06-30)30 June 1906 (aged 24) Fulham 1930
FW Bill Berry   (1904-08-18)18 August 1904 (aged 26) Gillingham 1926
FW Cecil Blakemore   (1897-12-08)8 December 1897 (aged 32) Bristol City 1929
FW Jackie Foster   (1903-03-21)21 March 1903 (aged 27) Bristol City 1929
FW Billy Lane   (1904-10-23)23 October 1904 (aged 25) Reading 1929
FW Herbert Lawson   (1905-04-12)12 April 1905 (aged 25) Arsenal 1927
FW George Robson   (1908-06-17)17 June 1908 (aged 22) West Ham United 1931
FW James Shaw   (1904-08-08)8 August 1904 (aged 26) Arsenal 1930
FW David Sherlaw   (1901-09-17)17 September 1901 (aged 28) Charlton Athletic 1928
FW Norman Thomson   (1901-02-20)20 February 1901 (aged 29) Norwich City 1930
FW Les Wilkins   (1907-01-21)21 January 1907 (aged 23) West Ham United 1931
Players who left the club mid-season
FW Frederick Gamble   (1905-05-29)29 May 1905 (aged 25) Southall 1928 Transferred to West Ham United
FW Jack Lane   (1898-05-29)29 May 1898 (aged 32) Chesterfield 1925 Transferred to Crystal Palace
FW John Payne   (1906-01-03)3 January 1906 (aged 24) West Ham United 1929 Transferred to Manchester City
FW Les Roberts   (1901-05-28)28 May 1901 (aged 29) Swindon Town 1930 Transferred to Manchester City
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[2] Timeless Bees,[10] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[11]

Coaching staff edit

Name Role
  Harry Curtis Manager
  Bob Kane Trainer
  Jack Cartmell Assistant trainer

Statistics edit

Appearances and goals edit

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   Freddie Fox 19 0 2 0 21 0
GK   Frank McDonough 2 0 0 0 2 0
GK   Edward Nash 21 0 3 0 24 0
DF   Tom Adamson 36 0 5 0 41 0
DF   Bill Bann 3 0 0 0 3 0
DF   William Hodge 19 0 0 0 19 0
DF   Alexander Stevenson 26 0 5 0 31 0
HB   Jimmy Bain 42 0 5 0 47 0
HB   Reginald Davies 38 0 4 0 42 0
HB   Harry Salt 25 0 5 0 30 0
HB   Teddy Ware 17 0 0 0 17 0
FW   Ralph Allen 2 0 — 2 0
FW   Bill Berry 32 18 5 1 37 19
FW   Cecil Blakemore 35 13 5 0 40 13
FW   Jackie Foster 39 1 5 0 44 1
FW   Frederick Gamble 6 4 0 0 6 4
FW   Billy Lane 33 27 5 5 38 32
FW   Jack Lane 25 14 5 5 30 19
FW   Herbert Lawson 4 0 1 0 5 0
FW   John Payne 10 2 0 0 10 2
FW   Les Roberts 5 0 0 0 5 0
FW   George Robson 13 5 — 13 5
FW   James Shaw 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW   David Sherlaw 6 2 0 0 6 2
FW   Norman Thomson 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW   Les Wilkins 2 1 — 2 1
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Goalscorers edit

Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW   Billy Lane 27 5 32
FW   Bill Berry 18 1 19
FW   Jack Lane 14 5 19
FW   Cecil Blakemore 13 0 13
FW   George Robson 5 — 5
FW   Frederick Gamble 4 0 4
FW   John Payne 2 0 2
FW   David Sherlaw 2 0 2
FW   Les Wilkins 1 — 1
FW   Jackie Foster 1 0 1
Opponents 3 0 3
Total 90 11 101
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Management edit

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
P W D L W % P W D L W %
Harry Curtis   30 August 1930 2 May 1931 47 25 7 15 053.19 42 22 6 14 052.38

Summary edit

Games played 47 (42 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Games won 25 (22 Third Division South, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn 7 (6 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games lost 15 (14 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored 101 (90 Third Division South, 11 FA Cup)
Goals conceded 69 (64 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Clean sheets 8 (7 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win 8–2 versus Crystal Palace, 25 December 1930
Worst league defeat 4–0 on two occasions
Most appearances 47, Jimmy Bain (42 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league) 27, Billy Lane
Top scorer (all competitions) 32, Billy Lane

Transfers & loans edit

Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1930 FW   James Shaw   Arsenal Free [12]
3 June 1930 DF   Bill Bann   Tottenham Hotspur Free [13]
June 1930 FW   Les Roberts   Swindon Town Free [13]
August 1930 FW   Norman Thomson   Norwich City Nominal [14]
September 1930 GK   Edward Nash   Swindon Town n/a [1]
February 1931 FW   George Robson   West Ham United n/a [15]
February 1931 FW   Bert Stephens   Ealing Association Free [16]
February 1931 FW   Les Wilkins   West Ham United Exchange [17]
March 1931 FW   Ralph Allen   Fulham Free [18]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
May 1930 DF   George Dumbrell   Leicester City £1,750 [19]
29 January 1931 FW   Jack Lane   Crystal Palace n/a [20]
January 1931 FW   John Payne   Manchester City n/a [21]
January 1931 FW   Les Roberts   Manchester City n/a [22]
February 1931 FW   Frederick Gamble   West Ham United Exchange [7]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1931 GK   Freddie Fox   Truro City n/a [23]
May 1931 GK   Frank McDonough   Thames May 1931 [24]
May 1931 FW   James Shaw   Gillingham May 1931 [25]
May 1931 HB   Martin Woosnam   Thames May 1931 [24]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Match played at Wembley Stadium, London due to Clapton Orient's Lea Bridge Stadium being temporarily closed due it failing to satisfy Football League requirements. This is the only occasion on which Brentford have played a league match on neutral territory.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 114.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 371. ISBN 0951526200.
  3. ^ a b c d "Brentford results for the 1930–1931 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Brentford scoring and sequence records". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  5. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 93-94.
  6. ^ "Brentford League Table 1930-1931". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  7. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 62.
  8. ^ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 68. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  9. ^ a b ""Ten Up" Trio". brentfordfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  10. ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  11. ^ Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  12. ^ "James Shaw". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Bees' Latest Captures". County of Middlesex Independent. 7 June 1930.
  14. ^ "Bees Team Completed. Another Inside Right Signed. Benefit For Jack Lane: Tribute To A Sportsman: Not The Oldest Player: Brentford's Cricket Success". County of Middlesex Independent. 16 August 1930.
  15. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 136.
  16. ^ "Bert Stephens". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  17. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 169.
  18. ^ "Ralph Allen". Fulhamweb. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  19. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 50-51.
  20. ^ "John (Jack) Lane". Holmesdale Online. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  21. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 122.
  22. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 134-135.
  23. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 59-60.
  24. ^ a b Argus (8 May 1931). "I note that Thames have engaged Martin Woosnam (half-back) and F. J. McDonough (goalkeeper), whom Brentford placed on the free transfer list last week". Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  25. ^ "On This Day". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
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