# 1969–70 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1969–70 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division. Despite staying in the promotion places throughout much of the campaign, three-late season defeats cost the Bees promotion to the Third Division.

## Season summary

There was the perception around Griffin Park during the 1969 off-season that after the financial austerity of the previous two-and-a-half years, the extreme cost-cutting measures enacted by former chairman Ron Blindell had reduced Brentford's target to merely staying in business, rather than challenging for promotion to the Third Division. Former director Walter Wheatley's loans to the club had taken its debts down to a manageable proportion, but after being installed as chairman (Blindell had died in January 1969), Wheatley carried on the austerity into the 1969–70 season. Manager Jimmy Sirrel once again had his hands tied in the transfer market, releasing experienced campaigners Denis Hunt, Pat Terry and Ron Foster and bringing in three attackers, two on free transfers (Bill Brown and Micky Cook) and one on trial (Roger Frude).
From the point of view of manpower, Brentford began the season in the worst possible way, with just 14 fit players. Despite the early-season transfer of the versatile John Richardson to rivals Fulham for £10,000, Brentford had an excellent start to the season, with goals from Allan Mansley, Bobby Ross and Micky Cook helping the club stabilise its position in the promotion places. The number of fit players dropped to 13 by October 1969, with the lack of a recognised centre forward being the problem. On 10 November, manager Jimmy Sirrel dropped the bombshell that he was leaving the club to take up the manager's position at Notts County. Forward Ron Fenton took over as caretaker manager and though the Bees exited the FA Cup in the first round (quickly ending any chances of a money-spinning cup run), Fenton managed to keep the club in and around the promotion places before Frank Blunstone was installed as manager just prior to Christmas 1969.
Despite an inconsistent first month under new manager Frank Blunstone, Brentford continued to keep pace with the promotion race. Blunstone was able to expand the squad slightly, with midfielders Brian Turner and Brian Tawse signing on a permanent basis and forward Alan Cocks coming in on loan to replace departed loanee Gerry Baker. Ever-present goalkeeper Chic Brodie had his best season so far at Griffin Park and kept 20 clean sheets. The Bees moved as high as 2nd position in late January and early February 1970 and manager Blunstone went for broke, finally signing a recognised centre forward (Roger Cross from West Ham United for £10,000) and bringing winger John Docherty back for a third spell with the club. Three defeats in four matches in late March and early April effectively ended the promotion charge, with the three-point gap to 4th-place Port Vale proving to be insurmountable.
Two records were set during the season, which as of 2023 have never been bettered:
* Least Football League goals conceded in a season: 39
* Least home Football League goals conceded in a season: 11

## League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 3 | Swansea City | 46 | 21 | 18 | 7 | 66 | 45 | 1.467 | 60 | Promoted |
| 4 | Port Vale | 46 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 61 | 33 | 1.848 | 59 | Promoted |
| 5 | Brentford | 46 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 58 | 39 | 1.487 | 56 | |
| 6 | Aldershot | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 78 | 65 | 1.200 | 53 | Qualified for 1970 Watney Cup |
| 7 | Notts County | 46 | 22 | 8 | 16 | 73 | 62 | 1.177 | 52 | |
* ↑ The two teams who scored the most goals in each division, and did not qualify for Europe and were not promoted, qualified for the Watney Cup.

## Results

    Brentford's goal tally listed first.

### Legend

| Win | Draw | Loss |

### Football League Fourth Division

| No. | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) |
| 1 | 9 August 1969 | Hartlepool | A | 0–0 | 3,020 | |
| 2 | 16 August 1969 | Notts County | H | 1–0 | 6,364 | Mansley (2) |
| 3 | 23 August 1969 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 2–1 | 3,051 | Renwick, Cook |
| 4 | 27 August 1969 | Chester | A | 2–1 | 4,426 | Dobson, Ross |
| 5 | 30 August 1969 | Darlington | H | 1–1 | 7,442 | Dobson |
| 6 | 6 September 1969 | Newport County | A | 0–1 | 3,219 | |
| 7 | 13 September 1969 | Swansea City | H | 2–2 | 7,139 | Mansley, Ross (pen) |
| 8 | 15 September 1969 | Southend United | H | 3–1 | 7,446 | Mansley, Neilson, Fenton |
| 9 | 20 September 1969 | Bradford Park Avenue | A | 1–0 | 2,887 | Ross |
| 10 | 27 September 1969 | Wrexham | H | 0–0 | 8,610 | |
| 11 | 29 September 1969 | Lincoln City | H | 2–1 | 8,210 | Gelson, Cook |
| 12 | 4 October 1969 | Workington | A | 2–1 | 1,882 | Mansley, Ross |
| 13 | 8 October 1969 | Notts County | A | 0–1 | 4,664 | |
| 14 | 11 October 1969 | Scunthorpe United | H | 3–0 | 7,493 | Cook, Mansley (2) |
| 15 | 18 October 1969 | Oldham Athletic | H | 1–1 | 8,674 | Cook |
| 16 | 25 October 1969 | Chesterfield | A | 0–1 | 11,212 | |
| 17 | 1 November 1969 | Peterborough United | H | 5–2 | 8,650 | Baker, Wile (og), Ross, Higginson, Fenton |
| 18 | 8 November 1969 | Exeter City | A | 2–2 | 4,897 | Renwick (2) |
| 19 | 22 November 1969 | Northampton Town | A | 1–1 | 5,315 | Dobson |
| 20 | 24 November 1969 | Grimsby Town | H | 3–0 | 7,647 | Baker, Ross, Mansley |
| 21 | 13 December 1969 | Swansea City | A | 0–1 | 7,423 | |
| 22 | 20 December 1969 | Newport County | H | 1–0 | 4,383 | Ross |
| 23 | 26 December 1969 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 1–1 | 9,307 | Ross |
| 24 | 27 December 1969 | Darlington | A | 2–1 | 2,507 | Fenton, Ross |
| 25 | 3 January 1970 | Lincoln City | A | 0–1 | 4,991 | |
| 26 | 10 January 1970 | Bradford Park Avenue | H | 1–1 | 5,847 | Fenton |
| 27 | 17 January 1970 | Wrexham | A | 0–1 | 8,451 | |
| 28 | 24 January 1970 | Port Vale | H | 1–0 | 8,661 | Boulton (og) |
| 29 | 31 January 1970 | Workington | H | 1–0 | 7,756 | Dobson |
| 30 | 10 February 1970 | Scunthorpe United | A | 1–1 | 5,316 | Gelson |
| 31 | 21 February 1970 | Chesterfield | H | 0–1 | 10,540 | |
| 32 | 23 February 1970 | Hartlepool | H | 3–0 | 7,352 | Gelson, Turner, Hawley |
| 33 | 28 February 1970 | Peterborough United | A | 0–0 | 7,512 | |
| 34 | 7 March 1970 | Northampton Town | H | 1–0 | 7,292 | Cocks |
| 35 | 9 March 1970 | York City | H | 0–0 | 8,124 | |
| 36 | 14 March 1970 | Colchester United | A | 1–1 | 4,878 | Ross |
| 37 | 16 March 1970 | Port Vale | A | 0–0 | 7,947 | |
| 38 | 21 March 1970 | Aldershot | H | 0–0 | 12,261 | |
| 39 | 27 March 1970 | Exeter City | H | 2–0 | 10,110 | Cross, Ross (pen) |
| 40 | 28 March 1970 | York City | A | 2–4 | 2,496 | Docherty, Neilson |
| 41 | 31 March 1970 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–4 | 5,078 | Cocks |
| 42 | 4 April 1970 | Chester | H | 2–0 | 4,750 | Gelson, Docherty |
| 43 | 7 April 1970 | Grimsby Town | A | 1–2 | 3,582 | Cross |
| 44 | 13 April 1970 | Southend United | A | 2–2 | 6,433 | Neilson, Ross |
| 45 | 18 April 1970 | Colchester United | H | 2–0 | 4,720 | Renwick, Docherty |
| 46 | 24 April 1970 | Aldershot | A | 2–1 | 7,492 | Cross (2) |

### FA Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance |
| 1R | 15 November 1969 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 0–0 | 9,963 |
| 1R (replay) | 19 November 1969 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 0–2 | 11,554 |

### Football League Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) |
| 1R | 12 August 1969 | Southend United | A | 2–2 | 9,256 | Mansley (2) |
| 1R (replay) | 18 August 1969 | Southend United | H | 0–0 (a.e.t.) | 7,941 | |
| 1R (2nd replay) | 21 August 1969 | Southend United | N | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | 2,068 | Mansley, Gelson |
* Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford, Statto

## Playing squad

    Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1969–70 season.
| Pos. | Name | Date of birth (age) | Signed from | Signed in | Notes |
| Goalkeepers |||||||
| GK | Chic Brodie | (1937-02-22)22 February 1937 (aged 32) | Northampton Town | 1963 | |
| Defenders |||||||
| DF | Peter Gelson | (1941-10-18)18 October 1941 (aged 27) | Youth | 1961 | |
| DF | Alan Hawley | (1946-06-07)7 June 1946 (aged 23) | Youth | 1962 | |
| DF | Tommy Higginson | (1937-01-06)6 January 1937 (aged 32) | Kilmarnock | 1959 | |
| DF | Allan Jones | (1940-01-06)6 January 1940 (aged 29) | Liverpool | 1963 | |
| DF | Alan Nelmes | (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 20) | Chelsea | 1967 | |
| DF | Dick Renwick | (1942-11-27)27 November 1942 (aged 26) | Aldershot | 1969 | |
| Midfielders |||||||
| MF | George Dobson | (1949-08-24)24 August 1949 (aged 19) | Youth | 1966 | |
| MF | John Docherty | (1940-04-29)29 April 1940 (aged 29) | Reading | 1970 | |
| MF | Allan Mansley | (1946-08-31)31 August 1946 (aged 22) | Blackpool | 1968 | |
| MF | Gordon Neilson | (1947-05-28)28 May 1947 (aged 22) | Arsenal | 1968 | |
| MF | Bobby Ross | (1942-05-10)10 May 1942 (aged 27) | Shrewsbury Town | 1966 | |
| MF | Brian Tawse | (1945-07-30)30 July 1945 (aged 24) | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1970 | |
| MF | Brian Turner | (1949-07-31)31 July 1949 (aged 20) | Portsmouth | 1970 | |
| Forwards |||||||
| FW | Micky Cook | (1950-01-25)25 January 1950 (aged 19) | Crystal Palace | 1969 | |
| FW | Roger Cross | (1948-10-20)20 October 1948 (aged 20) | West Ham United | 1970 | |
| FW | Ron Fenton (c) | (1940-09-21)21 September 1940 (aged 28) | Birmingham City | 1968 | Assistant manager |
| Players who left the club mid-season |||||||
| FW | Gerry Baker | (1938-04-11)11 April 1938 (aged 31) | Coventry City | 1969 | Returned to Coventry City after loan |
| FW | Bill Brown | (1943-02-07)7 February 1943 (aged 26) | Portsmouth | 1969 | Released |
| FW | Alan Cocks | (1951-05-07)7 May 1951 (aged 18) | Chelsea | 1969 | Returned to Chelsea after loan |
| FW | Roger Frude | (1946-11-19)19 November 1946 (aged 22) | Mansfield Town | 1969 | Released |
| FW | David Harney | (1947-03-02)2 March 1947 (aged 22) | Scunthorpe United | 1969 | Released |
| FW | John Richardson | (1949-02-05)5 February 1949 (aged 20) | Millwall | 1966 | Transferred to Fulham |
* Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford, Timeless Bees

## Coaching staff
### Jimmy Sirrel (10 August – 10 November 1969)

| Name | Role |
| Jimmy Sirrel | Manager |
| Ron Fenton | Assistant Manager |
| Eddie Lyons | Physiotherapist |

### Ron Fenton (10 November – December 1969)

| Name | Role |
| Ron Fenton | Caretaker Manager |
| Eddie Lyons | Physiotherapist |

### Frank Blunstone (December 1969 – 24 April 1970)

| Name | Role |
| Frank Blunstone | Manager |
| Ron Fenton | Assistant Manager |
| Eddie Lyons | Physiotherapist |

## Statistics
### Appearances and goals

    Substitute appearances in brackets.
| Pos | Nat | Name | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Total | Total |
| Pos | Nat | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| GK | | Chic Brodie | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 0 |
| DF | | Peter Gelson | 43 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 48 | 5 |
| DF | | Alan Hawley | 46 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 1 |
| DF | | Tommy Higginson | 39 (1) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 44 (1) | 0 |
| DF | | Allan Jones | 9 (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 (3) | 0 |
| DF | | Alan Nelmes | 45 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
| DF | | Dick Renwick | 39 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 4 |
| MF | | George Dobson | 15 (5) | 4 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 16 (7) | 4 |
| MF | | John Docherty | 11 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 3 |
| MF | | Allan Mansley | 26 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 9 |
| MF | | Gordon Neilson | 33 (1) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 (1) | 3 |
| MF | | Bobby Ross | 46 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 13 |
| MF | | Brian Tawse | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 0 |
| MF | | Brian Turner | 14 (2) | 1 | — | — | — | — | 14 (2) | 1 |
| FW | | Bill Brown | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| FW | | Micky Cook | 17 (3) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 22 (3) | 4 |
| FW | | Roger Cross | 11 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 4 |
| FW | | Ron Fenton | 29 (2) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 (2) | 4 |
| FW | | Roger Frude | 1 (1) | 0 | — | — | 1 (1) | 0 | 2 (2) | 0 |
| FW | | David Harney | 0 (1) | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 (1) | 0 |
| FW | | John Richardson | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Players loaned in during the season |||||||||||
| FW | | Gerry Baker | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 |
| FW | | Alan Cocks | 11 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 2 |
* Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
* Source: 100 Years Of Brentford

### Goalscorers

| Pos. | Nat | Player | FL4 | FAC | FLC | Total |
| MF | | Bobby Ross | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| MF | | Allan Mansley | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| DF | | Peter Gelson | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| FW | | Roger Cross | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| FW | | Micky Cook | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| MF | | George Dobson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| FW | | Ron Fenton | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| DF | | Dick Renwick | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| MF | | John Docherty | 3 | — | — | 3 |
| MF | | Gordon Neilson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| FW | | Gerry Baker | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| FW | | Alan Cocks | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| MF | | Brian Turner | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| DF | | Alan Hawley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Opponents | Opponents | Opponents | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | Total | Total | 58 | 0 | 4 | 62 |
* Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
* Source: 100 Years Of Brentford

### Management

| Name | Nat | From | To | Record All Comps | Record All Comps | Record All Comps | Record All Comps | Record All Comps | Record League | Record League | Record League | Record League | Record League |
| Name | Nat | From | To | P | W | D | L | W % | P | W | D | L | W % |
| Jimmy Sirrel | | 9 August 1969 | 8 November 1969 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 042.86 | 18 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 050.00 |
| Ron Fenton (caretaker) | | 15 November 1969 | 20 December 1969 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 033.33 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 050.00 |
| Frank Blunstone | | 26 December 1969 | 24 April 1970 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 037.50 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 037.50 |

### Summary

| Games played | 51 (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup) |
| Games won | 20 (20 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup) |
| Games drawn | 19 (16 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup) |
| Games lost | 12 (10 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) |
| Goals scored | 62 (58 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 4 League Cup) |
| Goals conceded | 46 (39 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 5 League Cup) |
| Clean sheets | 20 (18 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) |
| Biggest league win | 3–0 on three occasions; 5–2 versus Peterborough United, 1 November 1969 |
| Worst league defeat | 4–1 versus Oldham Athletic, 31 March 1970 |
| Most appearances | 51, Chic Brodie, Bobby Ross (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup) |
| Top scorer (league) | 13, Bobby Ross |
| Top scorer (all competitions) | 13, Bobby Ross |

## Transfers & loans

Players transferred in :
| Date | Pos. | Name | Previous Club | Fee | Ref. |
| July 1969 | FW | Bill Brown | Portsmouth | Free | |
| July 1969 | FW | Roger Frude | Mansfield Town | Trial | |
| August 1969 | FW | Micky Cook | Crystal Palace | Free | |
| October 1969 | FW | Brian Caterer | Leatherhead | Amateur | |
| October 1969 | FW | David Harney | Scunthorpe United | Trial | |
| 1969 | MF | Alan Gane | Slough Town | n/a | |
| January 1970 | MF | Brian Turner | Portsmouth | n/a | |
| February 1970 | MF | Brian Tawse | Brighton & Hove Albion | n/a | |
| March 1970 | FW | Roger Cross | Crystal Palace | £10,000 | |
| March 1970 | MF | John Docherty | Reading | n/a | |
| Players loaned in ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
| October 1969 | FW | Gerry Baker | Coventry City | January 1970 | |
| 29 January 1970 | FW | Alan Cocks | Chelsea | March 1970 | |
| Players transferred out ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | Subsequent club | Fee | Ref. |
| August 1969 | FW | John Richardson | Fulham | £10,000 | |
| Players released ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | Subsequent club | Join date | Ref. |
| August 1969 | FW | Roger Frude | Falmouth Town | 3 October 1969 | |
| October 1969 | FW | Bill Brown | Margate | 1969 | |
| October 1969 | FW | Brian Caterer | Leatherhead | October 1969 | |
| October 1969 | FW | David Harney | Wimbledon | 1969 | |
| April 1970 | FW | Micky Cook | Folkestone | 1970 | |
| April 1970 | MF | George Dobson | Guildford City | 1970 | |
| April 1970 | FW | Ron Fenton | Retired | | |
| April 1970 | DF | Tommy Higginson | Hillingdon Borough | 1970 | |
| April 1970 | DF | Allan Jones | Croatia | 1970 | |