1962–63 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1962–63 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division for the first time in the club's history. 67 goals from former international forwards John Dick, Billy McAdams and Johnny Brooks helped fire the Bees to the division title and an immediate return to the Third Division.

Brentford
1962–63 season
ChairmanJack Dunnett
ManagerMalky MacDonald
StadiumGriffin Park
Fourth Division1st (promoted)
FA CupFirst round
League CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Dick (23)
All: Dick (24)
Highest home attendance15,820
Lowest home attendance6,800
Average home league attendance11,418

Season summary

Brentford was at one of the lowest points in its history after suffering relegation for the Fourth Division at the end of the 1961–62 season.[1] The relegation completed a 15-year fall from the First Division to the bottom tier and the average attendance at Griffin Park had fallen by 18,000 in that time.[1] Chairman Jack Dunnett pledged that he and his directors would invest money in the first team squad, which had been ravaged by a mass clearout over the previous year in a bid to cut costs amidst the abolishment of the maximum wage.[1] Club legend George Francis was sold to Gillingham for a £4,000 fee, ending a six-year Brentford career in which he scored 136 goals in 280 matches.[2] Funds were made available to manager Malky MacDonald he spent £5,000 on Norwich City wing half Matt Crowe and £10,000 on Leeds United's former Northern Ireland centre forward Billy McAdams.[1] Tommy Cavanagh was appointed as trainer to replace the departed Fred Monk.[1]

Three wins and four defeats from the opening seven matches led to the chequebook opening again, with the £17,500 purchase of West Ham United's experienced inside left John Dick breaking Brentford's incoming transfer record.[1] The transfer meant the Fourth Division Bees could field an ex-international forward line – Dick (Scotland), McAdams (Northern Ireland) and Brooks (England).[1] The team showed excellent form between September 1962 and the end of the year, rising from mid-table to 2nd place.[3] John Dick had as yet failed to live up to his status, but Billy McAdams ended the year on 15 goals and Johnny Brooks on 12.[1] The football calendar was frozen out between late December 1962 and February 1963 due to poor weather, but as league play got back underway, Brentford solidified their position in the promotion places,[3] especially after another £18,500 was spent on new signings John Fielding and Mel Scott in March.[1] John Dick came into form in mid-March and supported by McAdams and Brooks,[4] his 15 goals in the final 17 matches helped fire Brentford to the Fourth Division title.[1] The title win made Brentford the first club to win each of the Second, Third and Fourth Division championships.[1]

A handful of records were set or equalled during the season:

  • Most points in a league season: 62 (two points for a win)[5]
  • Most league goals scored in a season: 98[6]
  • Most consecutive league appearances: 168 – Gerry Cakebread (1 November 1958 – 18 August 1963)[7]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Brentford 46 27 8 11 98 64 1.531 62 Division Champions, promoted
2 Oldham Athletic 46 24 11 11 95 60 1.583 59 Promoted
3 Crewe Alexandra 46 24 11 11 86 58 1.483 59
4 Mansfield Town 46 24 9 13 108 69 1.565 57
5 Gillingham 46 22 13 11 71 49 1.449 57
Source: rsssf.com

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Fourth Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 18 August 1962Doncaster RoversA2–0 8,247McAdams (2)
2 21 August 1962Gillingham H1–2 11,914Edgley
3 25 August 1962Mansfield TownH1–3 8,340McAdams
4 29 August 1962GillinghamA4–1 8,832Brooks (3), Block
5 1 September 1962WorkingtonA1–3 3,373Summers
6 8 September 1962Exeter City H3–1 11,153McAdams, Dick, Hughes (og)
7 12 September 1962Crewe AlexandraA0–3 6,673
8 15 September 1962ChesterfieldA1–1 6,114McAdams
9 18 September 1962Stockport CountyH2–1 10,146Dick, McAdams
10 22 September 1962RochdaleH1–0 10,753McLeod
11 29 September 1962BarrowH2–1 9,541Dick (2)
12 2 October 1962Hartlepools UnitedH4–0 10,729Dick (2), McAdams, Block
13 6 October 1962DarlingtonA3–1 4,683Brooks (2, 1 pen), Block
14 13 October 1962SouthportH3–3 11,651McAdams, Brooks (2, 1 pen)
15 20 October 1962AldershotA0–0 8,609
16 27 October 1962Newport CountyH3–1 11,312McAdams (2), Block
17 10 November 1962Bradford CityH5–2 8,396McAdams (3), McLeod, Brooks (pen)
18 24 November 1962Stockport County A1–2 3,337Block
19 1 December 1962Lincoln CityA3–1 5,470Brooks, Summers, McAdams
20 8 December 1962Oldham AthleticH2–1 12,144Anthony, Brooks
21 15 December 1962Doncaster Rovers H1–0 9,589Meadows (og)
22 22 December 1962Mansfield TownA2–1 9,468Brooks (2)
23 26 December 1962ChesterH2–1 9,724Dick, McAdams
24 16 February 1963BarrowA1–1 4,187Summers
25 23 February 1963Darlington H1–3 9,272Dick
26 2 March 1963Southport A0–1 3,136
27 4 March 1963Tranmere RoversA2–1 8,226Summers (2)
28 9 March 1963AldershotH4–2 8,390Brooks (2, 1 pen), Henry (og), McAdams
29 12 March 1963Torquay UnitedH2–2 13,084Block, Brooks
30 16 March 1963Newport County A4–1 2,891McAdams, Dick (2), Brooks (pen)
31 20 March 1963 Rochdale A 5–3 5,680 Dick (3), McAdams, Brooks
32 23 March 1963Oxford UnitedH4–0 13,756Block, Higginson, McAdams (2)
33 29 March 1963Torquay UnitedA1–1 5,570McAdams
34 3 April 1963 Chester A 2–1 5,991 Dick (2)
35 6 April 1963Tranmere RoversH4–0 13,383McLeod (2), Dick, Brooks (pen)
36 12 April 1963York CityA1–1 7,757Brooks (pen)
37 13 April 1963Bradford City A1–2 3,070Dick
38 15 April 1963York CityH2–1 15,070Dick (2)
39 20 April 1963Lincoln CityH3–2 11,384Dick, Block, McAdams
40 22 April 1963Hartlepools UnitedA1–2 3,755Dick
41 27 April 1963Oldham AthleticA1–2 17,771Brooks
42 30 April 1963Crewe AlexandraH3–1 15,820Brooks (pen), Dick
42 4 May 1963ChesterfieldH2–1 13,903Dick, Fielding
44 11 May 1963Oxford United A1–2 11,247Summers
45 18 May 1963 Exeter City A 2–2 3,600 Hales, Scott
46 23 May 1963 Workington H 4–3 13,158 Fielding (2), Hales, Brown (og)

FA Cup
Main article: 1962–63 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance
1R3 November 1962Aldershot A0–1 12,200

Football League Cup
Main article: 1962–63 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 4 September 1962 Wrexham H 3–0 6,800 Summers, McAdams, Edgley
2R26 September 1962Sheffield United H1–4 13,850 Dick

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1962–63 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread (1936-04-01)1 April 1936 (aged 26) Youth 1954
GK Fred Ryecraft (1939-08-28)28 August 1939 (aged 22) Southall 1959
Defenders
DF Tom Anthony (1943-08-16)16 August 1943 (aged 19) Youth 1961
DF Ken Coote (c) (1928-05-19)19 May 1928 (aged 34) Wembley 1949
DF Jimmy Gitsham (1942-05-12)12 May 1942 (aged 20) Youth 1959
DF Alan Hawley (1946-06-07)7 June 1946 (aged 16) Youth 1962
Midfielders
HB Matt Crowe (1932-07-04)4 July 1932 (aged 30) Norwich City 1962
HB Ian Dargie (1931-10-03)3 October 1931 (aged 30) Tonbridge 1952
HB Peter Gelson (1941-10-18)18 October 1941 (aged 20) Youth 1961
HB Tommy Higginson (1937-01-06)6 January 1937 (aged 25) Kilmarnock 1959
HB Mel Scott (1939-09-26)26 September 1939 (aged 22) Chelsea 1963
Forwards
FW Micky Block (1940-01-28)28 January 1940 (aged 22) Chelsea 1962
FW Johnny Brooks (1931-12-23)23 December 1931 (aged 30) Chelsea 1961
FW John Dick (1930-03-19)19 March 1930 (aged 32) West Ham United 1962
FW John Fielding (1939-09-02)2 September 1939 (aged 22) Southport 1963
FW Johnny Hales (1940-05-15)15 May 1940 (aged 22) St Roch's 1958
FW Billy McAdams (1934-01-20)20 January 1934 (aged 28) Leeds United 1962
FW George McLeod (1932-11-30)30 November 1932 (aged 29) Luton Town 1958
FW George Summers (1941-07-30)30 July 1941 (aged 21) Shawfield 1959
Players who left the club mid-season
FW Brian Edgley (1937-08-26)26 August 1937 (aged 24) Cardiff City 1961 Transferred to Barnsley
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[4] Timeless Bees[8]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Malky MacDonald Manager
Tommy Cavanagh Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Gerry Cakebread 28 0 1 0 2 0 31 0
GK Fred Ryecraft 18 0 0 0 0 0 18 0
DF Tom Anthony 33 1 1 0 1 0 35 1
DF Ken Coote 46 0 1 0 2 0 49 0
DF Jimmy Gitsham 16 0 0 0 2 0 18 0
DF Alan Hawley 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
HB Matt Crowe 39 0 1 0 2 0 42 0
HB Ian Dargie 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
HB Peter Gelson 29 0 1 0 1 0 31 0
HB Tommy Higginson 46 1 1 0 2 0 49 1
HB Mel Scott 17 1 — — 17 1
FW Micky Block 42 8 1 0 2 0 45 8
FW Johnny Brooks 39 22 1 0 1 0 41 22
FW John Dick 38 23 1 0 1 1 40 24
FW Brian Edgley 41— 1 152
FW John Fielding 7 3 — — 7 3
FW Johnny Hales 4 2 0 0 0 0 4 2
FW Billy McAdams 34 22 1 0 2 1 37 23
FW George McLeod 46 4 1 0 2 0 49 4
FW George Summers 15 6 0 0 1 1 16 7
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[4]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL4 FAC FLC Total
FW John Dick 23 0 1 24
FW Billy McAdams 22 0 1 23
FW Johnny Brooks 22 0 0 22
FW Micky Block 8 0 0 8
FW George Summers 6 0 1 7
FW George McLeod 4 0 0 4
FW John Fielding 3 — — 3
FW Johnny Hales 2 0 0 2
FW Brian Edgley 1 — 1 2
HB Mel Scott 1 — — 1
DF Tom Anthony 1 0 0 1
HB Tommy Higginson 1 0 0 1
Opponents 4 0 0 4
Total980 4102
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[4]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Malky MacDonald 18 August 1962 23 May 1963 49 28 8 13 057.14 46 27 8 11 058.70

Summary
Games played49 (46 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games won28 (27 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Games drawn8 (8 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games lost13 (11 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored102 (98 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Goals conceded69 (64 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Clean sheets8 (7 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Biggest league win4–0 on three occasions
Worst league defeat3–0 versus Crewe Alexandra, 12 September 1962
Most appearances49, Ken Coote, Tommy Higginson, George McLeod (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Top scorer (league)23, John Dick
Top scorer (all competitions)24, John Dick

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
June 1962 DF Alan Hawley n/a n/a [9]
July 1962 HB Matt Crowe Norwich City £5,000 [10]
July 1962 FW Billy McAdams Leeds United £10,000 [11]
September 1962 FW John Dick West Ham United £17,500 [12]
March 1963 FW John Fielding Southport £7,000 [13]
March 1963 HB Mel Scott Chelsea £12,500 [14]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
9 June 1962 FW Dick Lowrie Morton n/a [15]
August 1962 FW George Francis Gillingham £4,000 [2]
1 September 1962 FW Danny O'Donnell Brechin City n/a [15]
November 1962 FW Brian Edgley Barnsley n/a [16]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1963 HB Ian Dargie Yiewsley 1963 [17]
May 1963 DF Jimmy Gitsham Romford 1963 [18]

References
  1. White 1989, p. 246-249.
  2. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 186-188.
  3. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1962-1963 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  4. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 387. ISBN 0951526200.
  5. Wickham, Chris. "Brentford FC 2013/14 squad break a string of Club Records". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  6. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 63. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  7. Haynes 1998, p. 10.
  8. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  9. Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. pp. 254–255. ISBN 978-1906796709.
  10. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 43.
  11. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 102.
  12. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 47-48.
  13. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 56.
  14. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 142.
  15. "Scottish Football Historical Archive – Player's Transfers – 1962". Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  16. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 52.
  17. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45.
  18. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 65.
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