1933–34 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1933–34 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division for the first time in the club's history. A strong run in the middle of the season saw the Bees hold the second promotion place throughout March 1934, before a slight drop in form led the club to a still-impressive 4th-place finish.

Brentford
1933–34 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Second Division4th
FA CupThird round
Top goalscorerLeague: Holliday (27)
All: Holliday (27)
Highest home attendance26,934
Lowest home attendance12,017
Average home league attendance16,377

Season summary

In preparation for Brentford's first-ever Second Division season and after a loss of £932 on the previous season (equivalent to £66,700 in 2020),[1] manager Harry Curtis brought in a number of younger players to replace ageing full backs Tom Adamson, Alexander Stevenson and half back captain Jimmy Bain.[2] Curtis stuck with the same free-scoring strikeforce of the previous season, electing to add only outside left Charlie Fletcher from Clapton Orient.[3] Despite winning just 6 of the opening 16 matches of the season, Brentford found themselves in 8th place, before a run of 8 wins in 11 matches put the club into the second promotion place on 3 February 1934.[4] Manager Curtis had made an astute purchase in the transfer market in January, recruiting Southend United's full back Arthur Bateman as a replacement for Tom Adamson.[5]

2nd place was held until a defeat to Bradford City on 24 March dropped Brentford back to 3rd and results in the following four matches dropped the club to 4th.[4] A 2–0 win over Swansea Town on 14 April saw the Bees rise back to the one remaining promotion place, with just three matches to play.[4] Defeat to Millwall in the first of those matches dropped Brentford back to 4th,[4] but a resounding 5–0 victory over Lincoln City in the penultimate match of the season left the Bees knowing that a draw and favourable results for 2nd-place Preston North End and 3rd-place Bolton Wanderers on the final day would be enough to secure promotion to the First Division.[6] Despite Brentford's 2–1 victory over Bury at Gigg Lane on the final day, victory for Preston North End saw the Lilywhites pip Bolton Wanderers into the second promotion place.[7] Brentford finished 4th in the club's first season in the second tier of English football.[8]

Just one of Brentford's 85 goals during the season came from a player who was not a forward, centre half Joe James and the tally of 8 goalscorers for the season was at that time the lowest in club history.[9][10] Jack Holliday top-scored with an impressive 27 goals and Idris Hopkins flourished at the higher level, scoring 21 times.[9] Ernest Muttitt, Billy Scott and Charlie Fletcher ably supported Holliday and Hopkins by also scoring in double-figures.[9]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
2 Preston North End 42 23 6 13 71 52 1.365 52 Promoted
3 Bolton Wanderers 42 21 9 12 79 55 1.436 51
4 Brentford 42 22 7 13 85 60 1.417 51
5 Bradford Park Avenue 42 23 3 16 86 67 1.284 49
6 Bradford City 42 20 6 16 73 67 1.090 46
Source:

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 26 August 1933Nottingham ForestA1–1 12,702Hopkins
2 31 August 1933Bradford Park AvenueH2–0 13,667Holliday (2)
3 2 September 1933West Ham UnitedH4–1 19,918Holliday (2), Hopkins (2)
4 6 September 1933Bradford Park AvenueA2–5 11,982Hopkins, Muttitt
5 9 September 1933Plymouth ArgyleA1–1 20,945Watson
6 16 September 1933Manchester UnitedH3–4 17,180Fletcher, Holliday, Muttitt
7 23 September 1933Bolton Wanderers A2–3 9,894Fletcher, Hopkins
8 30 September 1933Hull CityH2–2 14,570Fletcher, Holliday
9 7 October 1933Burnley H5–2 14,797Hopkins (2), Holliday (2), Muttitt
10 14 October 1933Oldham AthleticA4–1 9,831James, Hopkins (2), Holliday
11 21 October 1933FulhamA1–1 35,421Holliday (pen)
12 28 October 1933SouthamptonH2–0 15,611Hopkins (2)
13 4 November 1933BlackpoolA1–3 14,229Muttitt
14 11 November 1933Bradford City H2–1 12,932Muttitt, Holliday
15 18 November 1933Port Vale A0–1 11,349
16 25 November 1933Notts CountyH2–2 12,110Holliday, Scott
17 2 December 1933Swansea Town A3–2 4,269Fletcher (2), Muttitt
18 9 December 1933MillwallH3–0 12,017Scott (2), Holliday
19 16 December 1933Lincoln CityA2–0 6,080Holliday (2, 1 pen)
20 23 December 1933Bury H2–3 12,761Muttitt, Fletcher
21 25 December 1933Preston North EndH3–2 20,662Fletcher, Hopkins (2)
22 26 December 1933Preston North EndA2–3 24,451Scott (2)
23 30 December 1933Nottingham Forest H2–1 12,795Hopkins, Scott
24 6 January 1934West Ham UnitedA2–3 24,108Muttitt, Holliday
25 20 January 1934Plymouth ArgyleH3–0 17,566Scott, Fletcher, Holliday
26 27 January 1934Manchester UnitedA3–1 16,891Muttitt (2), Fletcher
27 3 February 1934Bolton WanderersH3–1 16,037Holliday (2), Scott
28 10 February 1934Hull CityA1–0 10,566Hopkins
29 17 February 1934BurnleyA1–3 11,666Holliday
30 24 February 1934Oldham AthleticH2–1 15,927Scott, Muttitt
31 3 March 1934FulhamH1–2 25,184Holliday (pen)
32 10 March 1934SouthamptonA0–0 10,349
33 17 March 1934Blackpool H1–0 16,461Hopkins
34 24 March 1934Bradford CityA1–2 12,394Hopkins
35 30 March 1934Grimsby TownA2–2 23,233Hopkins, Holliday
36 31 March 1934Port ValeH2–0 19,758Holliday, Scott
37 2 April 1934Grimsby TownH1–2 26,934Holliday
38 7 April 1934Notts CountyA2–1 11,657Allen, Hopkins
39 14 April 1934Swansea TownH2–0 14,848Hopkins, Muttitt
40 21 April 1934MillwallA0–2 21,671
41 28 April 1934Lincoln CityH5–0 12,184Scott, Holliday (3), Hopkins
42 5 May 1934Bury A2–1 9,461Fletcher, Scott

FA Cup
Main article: 1933–34 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenue AttendanceResult
3R13 January 1934Hull City A 18,0000–1

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1933–34 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Tom Baker (1905-08-17)17 August 1905 (aged 28) Southport 1932
GK Jack Clough (1898-11-04)4 November 1898 (aged 34) Mansfield Town 1933
Defenders
DF Tom Adamson (1901-02-12)12 February 1901 (aged 32) Bury 1929
DF Jack Astley (1909-12-03)3 December 1909 (aged 23) Southport 1933
DF Arthur Bateman (1908-04-01)1 April 1908 (aged 25) Southend United 1934
DF William Hodge (1904-08-31)31 August 1904 (aged 28) Rangers 1927
DF Alexander Stevenson (1903-10-24)24 October 1903 (aged 29) Armadale 1927
Midfielders
HB Jimmy Bain (1899-02-06)6 February 1899 (aged 34) Manchester Central 1928
HB Jackie Burns (1906-11-27)27 November 1906 (aged 26) Queens Park Rangers 1931 Amateur
HB Joe James (1910-01-13)13 January 1910 (aged 23) Battersea Church 1929
HB Joe McClure (1907-11-03)3 November 1907 (aged 25) Everton 1933
HB Duncan McKenzie (1912-08-10)10 August 1912 (aged 21) Albion Rovers 1932
HB Cecil Smith (1907-06-16)16 June 1907 (aged 26) Brentford Market 1931
HB Herbert Watson (c) (1908-11-20)20 November 1908 (aged 24) Middlesbrough 1932
Forwards
FW Ralph Allen (1906-06-30)30 June 1906 (aged 27) Fulham 1930
FW Charlie Fletcher (1905-10-28)28 October 1905 (aged 27) Clapton Orient 1933
FW Jack Holliday (1908-12-19)19 December 1908 (aged 24) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Idris Hopkins (1910-10-11)11 October 1910 (aged 22) Crystal Palace 1932
FW Ernest Muttitt (1908-07-24)24 July 1908 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
FW George Robson (1908-06-17)17 June 1908 (aged 25) West Ham United 1931
FW Billy Scott (1907-12-06)6 December 1907 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
Players who left the club mid-season
HB William Smith (1903-10-22)22 October 1903 (aged 29) Sheffield Wednesday 1933 Transferred to Crystal Palace
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[9] Timeless Bees,[11] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[12]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Harry Curtis Manager
Bob Kane Trainer
Jack Cartmell Assistant Trainer
Fred Keatch Secretary

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 Tom Baker 22 0 0 0 22 0
GK Jack Clough 20 0 1 0 21 0
DF Tom Adamson 800 080
DF Jack Astley 40 0 1 0 41 0
DF Arthur Bateman 18 0 — 18 0
DF William Hodge 1501 0 160
DF Alexander Stevenson 3 0 0 0 3 0
HB Jimmy Bain 800 080
HB Jackie Burns 3501 0360
HB Joe James 34 1 1 0 35 1
HB Joe McClure 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Duncan McKenzie 11 0 1 0 12 0
HB Cecil Smith 100010
HB William Smith 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Herbert Watson 35 0 1 0 36 0
FW Ralph Allen 1 1 0 0 1 1
FW Charlie Fletcher 42 10 1 0 43 10
FW Jack Holliday 41271 0 4227
FW Idris Hopkins 42 21 1 0 43 21
FW Ernest Muttitt 39 12 1 0 40 12
FW George Robson 4 0 0 0 4 0
FW Billy Scott 41 12 1 0 42 12
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[9]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL2 FAC Total
FW Jack Holliday 27 0 27
FW Idris Hopkins 21 0 21
FW Ernest Muttitt 12 0 12
FW Billy Scott 12 0 12
FW Charlie Fletcher 10 0 10
FW Ralph Allen 1 0 1
HB Joe James 1 0 1
Total85085
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[9]

Amateur international caps
Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW Jackie Burns 3 1 [13]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis 26 August 1933 5 May 1933 43 22 7 14 051.16|42 22 7 13 052.38

Summary
Games played43 (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Games won22 (22 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn7 (7 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost14 (13 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored85 (85 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded61 (60 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets11 (11 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win5–0 versus Lincoln City, 28 April 1934
Worst league defeat5–2 versus Bradford Park Avenue, 6 September 1933
Most appearances43, Charlie Fletcher, Idris Hopkins (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)27, Jack Holliday
Top scorer (all competitions)27, Jack Holliday

Transfers & loans
Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
June 1933 DF Jack Astley Southport Free [14]
June 1933 GK Jack Clough Mansfield Town £100 [15]
June 1933 HB Joe McClure Everton Free [16]
17 August 1933 FW Charlie Fletcher Clapton Orient Part-exchange [17]
1933 FW Maurice Batchelor Gillingham Amateur [1]
1933 FW Peter Clarke Edinburgh University Amateur [17]
1933 FW R. E. Gibbons Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [1]
1933 FW George Goddard Queens Park Rangers n/a [18]
1933 FW Bob Mortimer Northampton Town n/a [1]
1933 FW William Smith Sheffield Wednesday Free [19]
January 1934 DF Arthur Bateman Southend United n/a [5]
March 1934 DF Walter Metcalf Sunderland n/a [20]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
17 August 1933 HB Teddy Ware Clapton Orient Part-exchange [17]
27 October 1933FW William Smith Crystal Palacen/a[21]
1933 FW George Goddard Wolverhampton Wanderers n/a [18]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
September 1933 FW Maurice Batchelor Hounslow Town Amateur [22]
May 1934 DF Tom Adamson Stockport County 1934 [23]
May 1934 HB Jimmy Bain Retired [24]
May 1934 GK Tom Baker Northampton Town 1934 [25]
May 1934 GK Jack Clough Rotherham United May 1934 [15]
May 1934 DF Jack French Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [26]
May 1934 HB Joe McClure Exeter City 1934 [27]
May 1934 FW Bob Mortimer Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 1934 [28]
May 1934 FW Alexander Stevenson Southend United 1934 [29]

References
  1. "THE "BEES'" TRIUMPH – Deficit at End of a Record Year – LOOKING AHEAD". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 30 June 1933.
  2. White 1989, p. 140-141.
  3. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 58.
  4. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1933-1934 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  5. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 17.
  6. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Table on Saturday 28th April 1934 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  7. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "All of the results on Saturday 5th May 1934 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  8. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford League Table 1933-1934 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  9. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 372. ISBN 0951526200.
  10. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 62. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  11. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  12. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  13. "England Matches – The Amateurs 1906–1939". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  14. "BRENTFORD'S CAPTURE. Young Southport Full Back Comes to Griffin Park. JACK ASTLEY". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 2 June 1933.
  15. "Clough Jack Middlesbrough 1923". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  16. "BRENTFORD'S CAPTURE. Noted Centre-half Comes to Griffin Park". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 9 June 1933.
  17. Argus (18 August 1933). "Brentford – New Players Who Will Strengthen The Team". The Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  18. Joyce 2004, p. 112.
  19. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 150.
  20. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 108.
  21. "William Smith". Holmesdale Online. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  22. "Hounslow Town's New Centre – Capture From Brentford F.C.". Middlesex Chronicle. 2 September 1933.
  23. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 8.
  24. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 14-15.
  25. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 15.
  26. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45-46.
  27. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 103.
  28. Joyce 2012, p. 211.
  29. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 154-155.
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