1948–49 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1948–49 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. It was Harry Curtis' final season as manager and he was replaced by Jackie Gibbons in February 1949. Brentford ended the season in 18th-place, just one point away from a second relegation in three seasons, though the Bees advanced to the sixth round of the FA Cup for the third time in the club's history.

Brentford
1948–49 season
ChairmanFrank Davis
ManagerHarry Curtis
(until 14 February 1949)
Jackie Gibbons
(from 15 February 1949)
StadiumGriffin Park
Second Division18th
FA CupSixth round
Top goalscorerLeague: Monk (11)
All: Monk (13)
Highest home attendance38,678
Lowest home attendance14,360
Average home league attendance22,755

Season summary
1948–49 was Harry Curtis' 24th and final season as Brentford manager.

Brentford manager Harry Curtis prepared conservatively for the 1948–49 Second Division season, with inside forward Viv Woodward and wing half Paddy Harris being his only veteran additions to the first team squad.[1][2] The Essential Work Order made it almost impossible for the Bees to sign any player aged under 30, due to the club having spent £28,300 (almost double the club's net income, equivalent to £1,036,600 in 2020) on six new players during the previous financial year, with only Jack Chisholm and Fred Monk aged under 30.[3] Curtis elected to build for the future with the signings of young players Les Devonshire, Jimmy Anders, Micky Bull and Billy Dare, but Dare was the only one of the quartet who would go on to make an impact on the first team.[4][5][6] On the eve of the season, it was announced that Curtis would step down from the manager's position at the end of the campaign.[3]

After two wins from the opening seven matches, Curtis signed Leicester City forward Peter McKennan for £8,000.[3] He failed to have an immediate effect on the team's goalscoring problems,[7] but Brentford were able to stay afloat in mid-table due to the low number of goals conceded.[8] Amidst a dire run of form in league matches around the turn of the year,[8] McKennan finally came into form and scored 9 goals in a seven-match spell,[7] firing Brentford into the sixth round of the FA Cup for the second time in four seasons.[9] In the midst of the run was an 8-2 victory over Bury, in which McKennan became the third (and as of July 2020, most recent) Brentford player to score five goals in a Football League match.[8][10] The Bury fixture also marked the first match in charge for player-manager Jackie Gibbons, having replaced Harry Curtis, who remained at Griffin Park until the end of the season as an adviser to Gibbons.[3] Brentford's FA Cup run ended with defeat to Leicester City in the sixth round,[8] with the 38,678 crowd setting a new club record, which still stands as of July 2020.[11]

Brentford's form deserted them in the wake of the FA Cup exit, with just two victories during the remaining 14 league matches of the season.[8] Centre half Ron Greenwood was bought from Bradford Park Avenue for £9,000 in February 1949,[12] with all of the money being recouped following the sale of captain Jack Chisholm to Sheffield United for £16,000 a month later.[13] Advanced preparations for the 1949–50 season continued in April, with the £7,000 purchase of Jackie Goodwin and Wally Quinton from Birmingham City.[3] Brentford slumped to an 18th-place finish, just one point above 21st-place Nottingham Forest.[8] Young forward Billy Dare was blooded in the final two months of the season and showed promise for the future with four goals in the final six matches.[7]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
16 Coventry City 42 15 7 20 55 64 0.859 37
17 Bradford Park Avenue 42 13 11 18 65 78 0.833 37
18 Brentford 42 11 14 17 42 53 0.792 36
19 Leicester City 42 10 16 16 62 79 0.785 36
20 Plymouth Argyle 42 12 12 18 49 64 0.766 36
Source:

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 21 August 1948Coventry CityH2–2 26,090Nelson, Monk
2 25 August 1948Leeds UnitedA0–0 26,625
3 28 August 1948Sheffield WednesdayA0–0 35,116
4 1 September 1948Leeds United H1–3 19,212Woodward
5 4 September 1948Lincoln CityH2–1 22,414Manley, Girling
6 6 September 1948Leicester CityA0–0 24,151
7 11 September 1948ChesterfieldA1–0 11,057Girling
8 15 September 1948Leicester CityH1–2 17,986Buchanan
9 18 September 1948West Bromwich AlbionH0–0 28,212
10 25 September 1948BuryA2–1 22,473Monk (2)
11 2 October 1948West Ham UnitedA0–0 31,369
12 9 October 1948Queens Park RangersA0–2 25,814
13 16 October 1948Luton Town H2–0 23,211Gibbons, Buchanan
14 23 October 1948Bradford Park Avenue A1–3 14,906Blakeman
15 30 October 1948SouthamptonH0–0 29,887
16 6 November 1948Barnsley A2–1 20,883Nelson (pen), Monk
17 13 November 1948Grimsby TownH2–0 24,992Keene, Monk
18 20 November 1948Nottingham ForestA2–1 19,278Gibbons, Monk
19 4 December 1948Plymouth ArgyleA0–1 25,611
20 11 December 1948Blackburn RoversH0–1 21,421
21 18 December 1948Coventry City A1–2 21,280Manley
22 25 December 1948Cardiff CityH1–1 22,813Monk
23 27 December 1948Cardiff CityA0–2 49,236
24 1 January 1949Sheffield Wednesday H2–1 16,753Buchanan, Monk
25 15 January 1949Lincoln CityA1–3 13,125McKennan
26 22 January 1949ChesterfieldH1–1 25,549Monk
27 5 February 1949West Bromwich AlbionA0–2 39,482
28 19 February 1949BuryH8–2 23,249McKennan (5, 1 pen), Gibbons, Monk
29 5 March 1949Queens Park RangersH0–3 29,420
30 12 March 1949Luton TownA1–2 16,682Chisholm
31 19 March 1949Bradford Park AvenueH1–0 18,413Manley (pen)
32 26 March 1949Southampton A0–2 25,217
33 2 April 1949BarnsleyH0–0 18,485
34 6 April 1949FulhamH0–0 29,160
35 9 April 1949Grimsby TownA0–3 15,695
36 15 April 1949Tottenham Hotspur A0–2 39,050
37 16 April 1949Nottingham ForestH2–1 15,857Gager (og), Dare
38 18 April 1949Tottenham HotspurH1–1 19,004Dare
39 23 April 1949Fulham A1–2 39,149Dare
40 25 April 1949West Ham UnitedA1–1 15,553Smith
41 30 April 1949Plymouth ArgyleH2–2 14,360Buchanan (2)
42 7 May 1949Blackburn RoversA1–2 15,453Gray (og), Dare

FA Cup
Main article: 1948–49 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
3R 8 January 1949 Middlesbrough H 3–2 (a.e.t.) 30,000 Harper, Monk, McKennan
4R 29 January 1949 Torquay United H 1–0 24,500 McKennan
5R 12 February 1949 Burnley H 4–2 34,000 McKennan (2), Gibbons, Monk
6R26 February 1949Leicester City H0–2 38,678

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1948–49 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Joe Crozier (1914-12-02)2 December 1914 (aged 33) East Fife 1937
GK Ted Gaskell (1916-12-19)19 December 1916 (aged 31) Buxton 1937
Defenders
DF Bill Gorman (1911-01-13)13 January 1911 (aged 37) Bury 1938
DF Malky MacDonald (1913-10-26)26 October 1913 (aged 34) Kilmarnock 1946 Coach
DF Roddy Munro (1920-07-27)27 July 1920 (aged 28) Rangers 1946
DF Wally Quinton (1917-12-13)13 December 1917 (aged 30) Birmingham City 1949
Midfielders
HB Ron Greenwood (1921-11-11)11 November 1921 (aged 26) Bradford Park Avenue 1949
HB Tom Manley (1912-10-07)7 October 1912 (aged 35) Manchester United 1939
HB David Nelson (1918-02-03)3 February 1918 (aged 30) Fulham 1947
HB George Paterson (1914-09-26)26 September 1914 (aged 33) Celtic 1946
HB Alan Smith (1921-10-15)15 October 1921 (aged 26) Arsenal 1946
Forwards
FW Peter Buchanan (1915-10-13)13 October 1915 (aged 32) Fulham 1947
FW Billy Dare (1927-02-14)14 February 1927 (aged 21) Hendon 1948
FW Jackie Gibbons (1914-04-10)10 April 1914 (aged 34) Bradford Park Avenue 1947 Manager
FW Dickie Girling (1922-05-24)24 May 1922 (aged 26) Crystal Palace 1947
FW Tony Harper (1925-05-26)26 May 1925 (aged 23) Headington United 1948
FW Peter McKennan (1918-07-16)16 July 1918 (aged 30) Leicester City 1948
FW Doug Keene (1928-08-30)30 August 1928 (aged 19) Kingsbury Town 1946
FW Fred Monk (1920-10-09)9 October 1920 (aged 27) Guildford City 1948
FW Viv Woodward (1914-05-25)25 May 1914 (aged 34) Millwall 1948
Players who left the club mid-season
HB Jack Chisholm (c) (1924-10-09)9 October 1924 (aged 23) Tottenham Hotspur 1947 Transferred to Sheffield United
HB Paddy Harris (1918-02-20)20 February 1918 (aged 30) Notts County 1948 Released
FW Alec Blakeman (1918-06-11)11 June 1918 (aged 30) Oxford City 1946 Transferred to Sheffield United
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[7] Timeless Bees[14]

Coaching staff

Harry Curtis (21 August 1948 – 14 February 1949)
Name Role
Harry Curtis Manager
Jimmy Bain Assistant Manager
Malky MacDonald Trainer-Coach
Jack Cartmell Trainer

Jackie Gibbons (15 February – 7 May 1949)
Name Role
Jackie Gibbons Manager
Jimmy Bain Assistant Manager
Malky MacDonald Coach
Jack Cartmell Trainer
Harry Curtis Advisory Manager

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 Joe Crozier 41 0 4 0 45 0
GK Ted Gaskell 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF Bill Gorman 42 0 4 0 46 0
DF Malky MacDonald 30 0 4 0 34 0
DF Roddy Munro 13 0 0 0 13 0
DF Wally Quinton 1 0 — 1 0
HB Jack Chisholm 30 1 4 0 34 1
HB Ron Greenwood 12 0 — 12 0
HB Paddy Harris 40— 40
HB Tom Manley 4234 0463
HB David Nelson 40 2 4 0 44 2
HB George Paterson 6 0 0 0 6 0
HB Alan Smith 3 1 0 0 3 1
FW Alec Blakeman 9 1 — 9 1
FW Peter Buchanan 34 5 4 0 38 5
FW Billy Dare 13 4 0 0 13 4
FW Jackie Gibbons 15 3 2 1 17 4
FW Dickie Girling 24 2 2 0 26 2
FW Tony Harper 19 0 2 1 21 1
FW Doug Keene 12 1 2 0 14 1
FW Peter McKennan 24 6 4 3 28 9
FW Fred Monk 37 11 4 2 41 13
FW Viv Woodward 10 1 0 0 10 1
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[7]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL2 FAC Total
FW Fred Monk 11 2 13
FW Peter McKennan 6 3 9
FW Peter Buchanan 5 0 5
FW Billy Dare 4 0 4
FW Jackie Gibbons 3 1 4
HB Tom Manley 3 0 3
FW Dickie Girling 2 0 2
HB David Nelson 2 0 2
FW Alec Blakeman 1 — 1
HB Jack Chisholm 1 0 1
FW Doug Keene 1 0 1
HB Alan Smith 1 0 1
FW Viv Woodward 1 0 1
FW Tony Harper 0 1 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total42850
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[7]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis 21 August 1948 14 February 1949 30 11 9 10 036.67 27 8 9 10 029.63
Jackie Gibbons 15 February 1949 7 May 1949 16 3 5 8 018.75 15 3 5 7 020.00

Summary
Games played46 (42 Second Division, 4 FA Cup)
Games won14 (11 Second Division, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn14 (14 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost18 (17 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored50 (42 Second Division, 8 FA Cup)
Goals conceded59 (53 Second Division, 6 FA Cup)
Clean sheets17 (16 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win8–2 versus Bury, 19 February 1949
Worst league defeat3–0 on two occasions
Most appearances46, Bill Gorman, Tom Manley (42 Second Division, 4 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)11, Fred Monk
Top scorer (all competitions)13, Fred Monk

Transfers & loans
Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
1 May 1948 FW Les Devonshire Queens Park Rangers n/a [15]
July 1948 FW Ron Brown Blackburn Rovers n/a [16]
July 1948 HB Paddy Harris Notts County n/a [16]
July 1948 FW Viv Woodward Millwall Free [1]
August 1948 n/a Ray Jefferies Oxford City n/a [17]
September 1948 FW Jimmy Anders Preston North End n/a [4]
September 1948 FW Micky Bull n/a n/a [5]
September 1948 FW Peter McKennan Leicester City £8,000 [3]
19 November 1948 FW Billy Dare Hendon n/a [18]
1948 FW Jim Towers n/a n/a [19]
February 1949 HB Ron Greenwood Bradford Park Avenue £9,000 [12]
May 1949 FW Ken Coote Wembley Amateur [17]
29 April 1949 FW Jackie Goodwin Birmingham City £3,500 [17]
5 May 1949 DF Wally Quinton Birmingham City £3,500 [20]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
May 1948 FW Tommy Dawson Swindon Town n/a [21]
May 1948 DF Harry Oliver Watford £2,000 [22]
September 1948 n/a Tommy Connors Celtic n/a [23]
November 1948 FW Alec Blakeman Middlesbrough n/a [24]
November 1948 FW Tommy Dougall Sunderland n/a [25]
March 1949 HB Jack Chisholm Sheffield United £16,000 [13]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
1949 HB Paddy Harris Retired [2]
May 1949 FW Peter Buchanan Headington United 1949 [5]
May 1949 GK Joe Crozier Chelmsford City 1949 [26]
May 1949 FW Les Devonshire Wealdstone 1949 [27]
May 1949 FW Jackie Gibbons Retired [28]
May 1949 FW Robert Sherwood Queens Park Rangers May 1949 [29]

References
  1. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 171.
  2. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 72.
  3. White 1989, p. 190-193.
  4. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 11.
  5. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 30.
  6. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45.
  7. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 380. ISBN 0951526200.
  8. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1948-1949 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  9. Brentford F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  10. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 62. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  11. Haynes 1998, p. 14.
  12. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 70.
  13. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 36-37.
  14. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  15. ""BEES" BEAT RANGERS FOR OUTSIDE-LEFT". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 7 May 1948.
  16. "Brown Of Blackburn Signed By Bees". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 23 July 1948.
  17. Handbook 1949, p. 36.
  18. Handbook 1949, p. 35.
  19. Lane, David (2005). Cult Bees & Legends: Volume Two. Hampton Hill: Legends Publishing. pp. 118–129. ISBN 0954368282.
  20. Brentford Football Supporters And Social Club Official Handbook – 1949–50. 1949. p. 30.
  21. Lucas, Eric (21 May 1948). "JIMMY HOGAN WILL BE LEAVING BRENTFORD – Famous Coach's Contract Not To Be Renewed – FOUR TEAMS NEXT SEASON – Junior Side For Up To Eighteen Will Compete In Hounslow League". The Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  22. "Watford Football Club archive 1881–2016: Players – O'Brien to Patching" (PDF). Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  23. "Scottish Football Historical Archive – C". p. 137. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  24. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 21.
  25. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 49-50.
  26. "Joe Crozier". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  27. "Les Devonshire". 7 March 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  28. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 64.
  29. "QPRnet – Seasonal Stats – 1949–50". Retrieved 9 May 2018.
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