# 2003–04 Brentford F.C. season

During the 2003–04 English football season, Brentford competed in Football League Second Division. After mid-season spell of one win in 18 matches and relegation looking definite, manager Wally Downes was sacked in mid-March 2004. Martin Allen took over and pulled off "The Great Escape" to secure safety on the final day of the season.

## Season summary

Cash-strapped Brentford began the 2003–04 season with a threadbare squad, depleted through injuries and propped up with youngsters, with manager Wally Downes admitting that the club's "immediate goal is keeping ourselves afloat for a period that shows the bank we can manage ourselves". Five defeats in the opening six games left the club second-from-bottom, before the integration of loanees Ben May, Tommy Wright and Joel Kitamirike yielded an improvement in form in September 2003, going unbeaten and winning three of five matches. In October, amidst speculation that former Brentford manager Steve Perryman would return to the club as director of football, manager Wally Downes was assured that his role would not be affected. Perryman eventually turned the offer down.
Despite a morale-boosting 7–1 FA Cup first round victory over Gainsborough Trinity and four wins from six matches in October and November lifting the Bees to mid-table, the rot soon set in. After the goalkeeping position weakened by the £500,000 sale of Paul Smith in January 2004 and with just one win from 19 matches in all competitions, Wally Downes was sacked after a 2–0 home defeat to Stockport County on 13 March 2004, which was Brentford's fifth consecutive defeat. Caretaker manager Garry Thompson took charge for the away match versus Blackpool on 16 March, with a 1–1 draw securing the first point won for a month.
Former Barnet manager Martin Allen took over on 18 March 2004 and was tasked with retaining Brentford's Second Division status. Allen released a number of players, installed his own backroom team and immediately galvanised the squad, winning three and drawing three of his first six matches to lift the Bees above the relegation places. A priceless point salvaged at already-relegated Wycombe Wanderers on 24 April kept the Bees above the relegation places. A 1–0 defeat away to fellow strugglers Grimsby Town in the penultimate match of the season meant the club would need to secure safety on the final day with a victory over Bournemouth or favourable results elsewhere. The match versus Bournemouth at Griffin Park remained scoreless until seven minutes from time, when substitute Alex Rhodes "coolly slotted" past Cherries' goalkeeper Neil Moss for a 1–0 win that completed Brentford's escape from relegation.

## League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 15 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 12 | 21 | 13 | 66 | 60 | +6 | 57 |
| 16 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 48 | 64 | −16 | 53 |
| 17 | Brentford | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 52 | 69 | −17 | 53 |
| 18 | Peterborough United | 46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 52 |
| 19 | Stockport County | 46 | 11 | 19 | 16 | 62 | 70 | −8 | 52 |

## Results

    Brentford's goal tally listed first.

### Legend

| Win | Draw | Loss |

### Pre-season

| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) |
| 15 July 2003 | Reading | H | 3–2 | n/a | Peters, Tabb, Blackman |
| 19 July 2003 | Yeovil Town | A | 0–2 | 1,936 | |
| 22 July 2003 | Exeter City | A | 0–0 | 1,101 | |
| 26 July 2003 | Dorchester Town | A | 0–1 | 427 | |
| 29 July 2003 | Staines Town | A | 2–1 | n/a | Somner, Peters |
| 2 August 2003 | Farnborough Town | A | 3–1 | 550 | Beadle, Peters (2, 1 pen) |
| 5 August 2003 | Portsmouth | H | 0–1 | 3,080 | |

### Football League Second Division

| No. | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) |
| 1 | 9 August 2003 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 1–4 | 7,307 | Hunt (pen) |
| 2 | 16 August 2003 | Peterborough United | H | 0–3 | 4,463 | |
| 3 | 23 August 2003 | Wrexham | A | 0–1 | 4,048 | |
| 4 | 25 August 2003 | Oldham Athletic | H | 2–1 | 4,073 | Hutchinson, Rougier |
| 5 | 30 August 2003 | Port Vale | A | 0–1 | 5,257 | |
| 6 | 6 September 2003 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 1–3 | 5,688 | May |
| 7 | 13 September 2003 | Rushden & Diamonds | A | 1–0 | 4,396 | Hunt |
| 8 | 16 September 2003 | Blackpool | H | 0–0 | 3,818 | |
| 9 | 20 September 2003 | Hartlepool United | H | 2–1 | 4,501 | Sonko, Wright |
| 10 | 27 September 2003 | Chesterfield | A | 2–1 | 3,257 | Hunt, Wright |
| 11 | 30 September 2003 | Colchester United | A | 1–1 | 3,343 | Rougier |
| 12 | 4 October 2003 | Sheffield Wednesday | H | 0–3 | 8,631 | |
| 13 | 18 October 2003 | Luton Town | H | 4–2 | 5,579 | Hunt, Tabb (2), May |
| 14 | 21 October 2003 | Brighton & Hove Albion | H | 4–0 | 6,532 | Hunt (2 pens), Tabb, May |
| 15 | 25 October 2003 | Notts County | A | 0–2 | 4,145 | |
| 16 | 1 November 2003 | Barnsley | H | 2–1 | 4,789 | Hutchinson, Rougier |
| 17 | 11 November 2003 | Queens Park Rangers | A | 0–1 | 15,865 | |
| 18 | 15 November 2003 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 2–1 | 6,445 | Hutchinson, Tabb |
| 19 | 22 November 2003 | Grimsby Town | H | 1–3 | 4,685 | Hunt (pen) |
| 20 | 29 November 2003 | Bournemouth | A | 0–1 | 6,674 | |
| 21 | 13 December 2003 | Stockport County | A | 1–1 | 4,081 | Jackman (og) |
| 22 | 20 December 2003 | Swindon Town | H | 0–2 | 5,077 | |
| 23 | 26 December 2003 | Bristol City | H | 1–2 | 5,912 | May |
| 24 | 28 December 2003 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 0–2 | 17,882 | |
| 25 | 3 January 2004 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–1 | 4,990 | May |
| 26 | 10 January 2004 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 2–2 | 4,105 | Hunt, May |
| 27 | 17 January 2004 | Peterborough United | A | 0–0 | 4,658 | |
| 28 | 24 January 2004 | Wrexham | H | 0–1 | 4,567 | Hunt |
| 29 | 31 January 2004 | Port Vale | H | 3–2 | 4,306 | Tabb, Hunt, Rougier |
| 30 | 7 February 2004 | Bristol City | A | 1–3 | 13,029 | Hutchinson |
| 31 | 14 February 2004 | Queens Park Rangers | H | 1–1 | 8,418 | O'Connor |
| 32 | 21 February 2004 | Luton Town | A | 1–4 | 6,273 | Wright |
| 33 | 28 February 2004 | Notts County | H | 2–3 | 4,478 | Evans, Hutchinson |
| 34 | 2 March 2004 | Brighton & Hove Albion | A | 0–1 | 6,007 | |
| 35 | 6 March 2004 | Swindon Town | A | 1–2 | 7,649 | May |
| 36 | 13 March 2004 | Stockport County | H | 0–2 | 6,615 | McCammon |
| 37 | 16 March 2004 | Blackpool | A | 1–1 | 4,617 | Hunt (pen) |
| 38 | 20 March 2004 | Rushden & Diamonds | H | 3–2 | 4,616 | Tabb, Hunt, Talbot |
| 39 | 27 March 2004 | Hartlepool United | A | 2–1 | 5,206 | Tabb, Dobson |
| 40 | 3 April 2004 | Chesterfield | H | 1–1 | 4,962 | Evans |
| 41 | 10 April 2004 | Sheffield Wednesday | A | 1–1 | 20,004 | Sonko |
| 42 | 12 April 2004 | Colchester United | H | 3–2 | 5,017 | Tabb, Sonko, Harrold |
| 43 | 17 April 2004 | Barnsley | A | 2–0 | 9,824 | Talbot, Tabb |
| 44 | 24 April 2004 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 1–1 | 7,145 | Harrold |
| 45 | 1 May 2004 | Grimsby Town | A | 0–1 | 6,856 | |
| 46 | 8 May 2004 | Bournemouth | H | 1–0 | 9,485 | Rhodes |

### FA Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) |
| R1 | 8 November 2003 | Gainsborough Trinity | H | 7–1 | 3,041 | Harrold (3), Rougier, Purkiss (og), Frampton, O'Connor |
| R2 | 6 December 2003 | Telford United | A | 0–3 | 2,996 | |

### Football League Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance |
| R1 | 12 August 2003 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 0–4 | 10,440 |

### Football League Trophy

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) |
| SR1 | 14 October 2003 | Barnet | A | 3–3 (a.e.t.), won 3–1 on pens) | 1,248 | Tabb (2), Hunt (pen) |
| SR2 | 4 November 2003 | Peterborough United | A | 2–3 | 1,821 | Dobson, Hunt |
* Sources: Soccerbase, 11v11

## Playing squad

    Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 2003–04 season.
| No | Position | Name | Date of birth (age) | Signed from | Signed in | Notes |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||
| 13 | GK | Alan Julian | (1983-03-11)11 March 1983 (aged 20) | Youth | 2001 | |
| 29 | GK | Josh Lennie | (1986-03-26)26 March 1986 (aged 17) | Youth | 1999 | |
| 32 | GK | Stuart Nelson | (1981-09-17)17 September 1981 (aged 21) | Hucknall Town | 2004 | |
| Defenders ||||||||
| 2 | DF | Michael Dobson (c) | (1981-04-09)9 April 1981 (aged 22) | Youth | 1999 | |
| 3 | DF | Matt Somner | (1982-12-08)8 December 1982 (aged 20) | Youth | 2001 | |
| 6 | DF | Ibrahima Sonko | (1981-01-22)22 January 1981 (aged 22) | Grenoble Foot 38 | 2002 | |
| 12 | DF | Andy Frampton | (1979-09-03)3 September 1979 (aged 23) | Crystal Palace | 2002 | |
| 16 | DF | Lee Fieldwick | (1982-01-01)1 January 1982 (aged 21) | Youth | 2000 | Loaned to Swansea City |
| 24 | DF | Ronnie Bull | (1980-12-26)26 December 1980 (aged 22) | Millwall | 2004 | Loaned from Millwall before transferring permanently |
| 27 | DF | Joel Kitamirike | (1984-04-05)5 April 1984 (aged 19) | Chelsea | 2003 | On loan from Chelsea |
| 28 | DF | Dean Wells | (1985-05-25)25 May 1985 (aged 18) | Youth | 2003 | |
| 33 | DF | Scott Fitzgerald | (1969-08-13)13 August 1969 (aged 33) | Colchester United | 2004 | On loan from Colchester United |
| Midfielders ||||||||
| 4 | MF | Jay Smith | (1981-12-29)29 December 1981 (aged 21) | Youth | 2001 | |
| 5 | MF | Stewart Talbot | (1973-06-14)14 June 1973 (aged 30) | Rotherham United | 2004 | |
| 7 | MF | Stephen Evans | (1980-09-25)25 September 1980 (aged 22) | Crystal Palace | 2002 | |
| 8 | MF | Jay Tabb | (1984-02-21)21 February 1984 (aged 19) | Crystal Palace | 2000 | |
| 9 | MF | Kevin O'Connor | (1982-02-24)24 February 1982 (aged 21) | Youth | 2000 | |
| 10 | MF | Stephen Hunt | (1981-08-01)1 August 1981 (aged 22) | Crystal Palace | 2001 | |
| 15 | MF | Danny Thomas | (1984-06-16)16 June 1984 (aged 19) | Youth | 2003 | Loaned to Staines Town |
| 17 | MF | Eddie Hutchinson | (1982-02-12)12 February 1982 (aged 21) | Sutton United | 2000 | |
| 20 | MF | Stephen Hughes | (1984-01-26)26 January 1984 (aged 19) | Youth | 2002 | Loaned to Basingstoke Town |
| 31 | MF | Alex Rhodes | (1982-01-12)12 January 1982 (aged 21) | Newmarket Town | 2003 | |
| Forwards ||||||||
| 14 | FW | Matt Harrold | (1984-07-24)24 July 1984 (aged 19) | Harlow Town | 2003 | |
| 18 | FW | Ben May | (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 19) | Millwall | 2003 | On loan from Millwall |
| 22 | FW | Lloyd Blackman | (1983-09-24)24 September 1983 (aged 19) | Youth | 2002 | Loaned to Scarborough, Chelmsford City and Cambridge City |
| Players who left the club mid-season ||||||||
| 1 | GK | Paul Smith | (1979-12-17)17 December 1979 (aged 23) | Carshalton Athletic | 2000 | Transferred to Southampton |
| 5 | DF | Leo Roget | (1977-08-01)1 August 1977 (aged 26) | Stockport County | 2002 | Transferred to Rushden & Diamonds |
| 11 | FW | Mark Peters | (1983-10-04)4 October 1983 (aged 19) | Southampton | 2002 | Released |
| 19 | MF | Tommy Wright | (1984-09-28)28 September 1984 (aged 18) | Leicester City | 2003 | Returned to Leicester City after loan |
| 21 | DF | Danny Allen-Page | (1983-10-30)30 October 1983 (aged 19) | Youth | 2002 | Released |
| 23 | FW | Bobby Traynor | (1983-11-01)1 November 1983 (aged 19) | Youth | 2003 | Loaned to Chelmsford City and Crawley Town, released |
| 24 | FW | Peter Beadle | (1972-05-13)13 May 1972 (aged 31) | Bristol City | 2003 | Released |
| 24 | FW | Jide Olugbodi | (1977-11-29)29 November 1977 (aged 25) | Austria Lustenau | 2003 | Released |
| 25 | MF | Tony Rougier | (1971-07-17)17 July 1971 (aged 32) | Reading | 2003 | Transferred to Bristol City |
| 26 | GK | Jim Stannard | (1962-10-06)6 October 1962 (aged 40) | Youth | 2003 | First team coach, non-contract |
| 30 | GK | Danny Naisbitt | (1978-11-25)25 November 1978 (aged 24) | Bishop Auckland | 2003 | Non-contract |
| 32 | GK | Jani Viander | (1975-08-18)18 August 1975 (aged 27) | Plymouth Argyle | 2004 | Non-contract |
* Source: Soccerbase

## Coaching staff
### Wally Downes (9 August 2003 – 14 March 2004)

| Name | Role |
| Wally Downes | Manager |
| Garry Thompson | Assistant Manager |
| Jim Stannard | First Team Coach |
| John Griffin | Chief Scout |
| Phil McLoughlin | Physiotherapist |
| Colin Martin | Medical Officer |

### Garry Thompson (14 – 18 March 2004)

| Name | Role |
| Garry Thompson | Caretaker Manager |
| Jim Stannard | First Team Coach |
| John Griffin | Chief Scout |
| Phil McLoughlin | Physiotherapist |
| Colin Martin | Medical Officer |

### Martin Allen (18 March – 8 May 2004)

| Name | Role |
| Martin Allen | Manager |
| Adrian Whitbread | First Team Coach |
| Jim Stannard | Goalkeeping Coach |
| John Griffin | Chief Scout |
| Damien Doyle | Sports Therapist |
| Matt Hirons | Physiotherapist |
| Colin Martin | Medical Officer |

## Statistics
### Appearances and goals

    Substitute appearances in brackets.
| No | Pos | Nat | Name | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | FL Trophy | FL Trophy | Total | Total |
| No | Pos | Nat | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | | Paul Smith | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | | Michael Dobson | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 1 |
| 3 | DF | | Matt Somner | 30 (9) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 (9) | 0 |
| 4 | MF | | Jay Smith | 12 (5) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 16 (6) | 0 |
| 5 | DF | | Leo Roget | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 5 | MF | | Stewart Talbot | 15 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 2 |
| 6 | DF | | Ibrahima Sonko | 42 (1) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 (1) | 3 |
| 7 | MF | | Stephen Evans | 14 (11) | 2 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 (13) | 2 |
| 8 | MF | | Jay Tabb | 22 (14) | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 26 (14) | 11 |
| 9 | FW | | Kevin O'Connor | 36 (7) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 40 (8) | 2 |
| 10 | MF | | Stephen Hunt | 38 (2) | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 43 (2) | 12 |
| 11 | FW | | Mark Peters | 2 (7) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 (8) | 0 |
| 12 | DF | | Andy Frampton | 10 (6) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 (6) | 1 |
| 13 | GK | | Alan Julian | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 (1) | 0 |
| 14 | FW | | Matt Harrold | 5 (8) | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 (8) | 5 |
| 16 | DF | | Lee Fieldwick | 4 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 (1) | 0 |
| 17 | MF | | Eddie Hutchinson | 36 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 38 (1) | 5 |
| 20 | MF | | Stephen Hughes | 1 (8) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 (12) | 0 |
| 21 | DF | | Danny Allen-Page | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 |
| 22 | FW | | Lloyd Blackman | 0 (3) | 0 | — | — | 0 (1) | 0 | — | — | 0 (4) | 0 |
| 24 | FW | | Peter Beadle | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | | Jide Olugbodi | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | — | — | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 (4) | 0 |
| 25 | MF | | Tony Rougier | 29 (2) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 (2) | 5 |
| 28 | DF | | Dean Wells | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 |
| 31 | MF | | Alex Rhodes | 0 (3) | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 (3) | 1 |
| 32 | GK | | Stuart Nelson | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 0 |
| | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season | Players loaned in during the season |
| 18 | FW | | Ben May | 38 (3) | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 40 (3) | 7 |
| 19 | MF | | Tommy Wright | 18 (7) | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 18 (7) | 3 |
| 24 | DF | | Ronnie Bull | 20 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | | Joel Kitamirike | 21 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 24 (1) | 0 |
| 33 | DF | | Scott Fitzgerald | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 0 |
* Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
* Source: Soccerbase

### Goalscorers

| No | Pos | Nat | Player | FL2 | FAC | FLC | FLT | Total |
| 10 | MF | | Stephen Hunt | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| 8 | MF | | Jay Tabb | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| 18 | FW | | Ben May | 7 | 0 | — | 0 | 7 |
| 17 | MF | | Eddie Hutchinson | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 25 | DF | | Tony Rougier | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 14 | FW | | Matt Harrold | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 19 | MF | | Tommy Wright | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | DF | | Ibrahima Sonko | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | MF | | Stewart Talbot | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| 7 | MF | | Stephen Evans | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | MF | | Kevin O'Connor | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 31 | MF | | Alex Rhodes | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| 2 | DF | | Michael Dobson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | DF | | Andy Frampton | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Opponents | Opponents | Opponents | Opponents | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 52 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 61 |
* Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
* Source: Soccerbase

### Discipline

| No | Pos | Nat | Player | FL2 | FL2 | FAC | FAC | FLC | FLC | FLT | FLT | Total | Total | Pts |
| 18 | FW | | Ben May | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 10 |
| 5 | DF | | Leo Roget | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
| 10 | MF | | Stephen Hunt | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 7 | MF | | Stephen Evans | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 19 | MF | | Tommy Wright | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 27 | DF | | Joel Kitamirike | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 3 | DF | | Matt Somner | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 24 | DF | | Ronnie Bull | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 9 | MF | | Kevin O'Connor | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 6 | DF | | Ibrahima Sonko | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 25 | DF | | Tony Rougier | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 1 | GK | | Paul Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | DF | | Michael Dobson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | MF | | Eddie Hutchinson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 24 | FW | | Peter Beadle | 0 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 32 | GK | | Stuart Nelson | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | MF | | Stewart Talbot | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 16 | DF | | Lee Fieldwick | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | DF | | Andy Frampton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | GK | | Alan Julian | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | MF | | Jay Smith | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | MF | | Jay Tabb | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 33 | DF | | Scott Fitzgerald | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 20 | MF | | Stephen Hughes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | FW | | Mark Peters | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 64 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 73 | 11 | 106 |
* Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
* Source: ESPN FC

### 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 % |
| Wally Downes | | 9 August 2003 | 14 March 2004 | 41 | 10 | 8 | 23 | 024.39| | 36 | 9 | 7 | 20 | 025.00 |
| Garry Thompson (caretaker) | | 14 March 2004 | 18 March 2004 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 000.00| | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 000.00 |
| Martin Allen | | 18 March 2004 | 8 May 2004 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 055.56| | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 055.56 |

### Summary

| Games played | 51 (46 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy) |
| Games won | 15 (14 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy) |
| Games drawn | 12 (11 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy) |
| Games lost | 24 (21 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy) |
| Goals scored | 64 (52 Second Division, 7 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 5 Football League Trophy) |
| Goals conceded | 83 (69 Second Division, 4 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 6 Football League Trophy) |
| Clean sheets | 6 (6 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy) |
| Biggest league win | 5–0 versus Brighton & Hove Albion, 21 October 2003 |
| Worst league defeat | 3–0 on two occasions, 4–1 on two occasions |
| Most appearances | 48, Kevin O'Connor (43 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy) |
| Top scorer (league) | 11, Stephen Hunt |
| Top scorer (all competitions) | 12, Stephen Hunt |

## Transfers & loans

Players transferred in :
| Date | Pos. | Name | Previous Club | Fee | Ref. |
| 23 July 2003 | FW | Matt Harrold | Harlow Town | Undisclosed | |
| 7 August 2003 | FW | Peter Beadle | Unattached | Free | |
| 15 August 2003 | MF | Tony Rougier | Reading | Free | |
| 29 August 2003 | GK | Jim Stannard | Unattached | Non-contract | |
| 3 October 2003 | FW | Jide Olugbodi | Unattached | Free | |
| 31 October 2003 | GK | Danny Naisbitt | Bishop Auckland | Non-contract | |
| 11 November 2003 | MF | Alex Rhodes | Newmarket Town | £7,500 | |
| 9 January 2004 | GK | Jani Viander | Plymouth Argyle | Non-contract | |
| 3 February 2004 | GK | Stuart Nelson | Hucknall Town | £10,000 | |
| 17 February 2004 | MF | Stewart Talbot | Rotherham United | Free | |
| 7 April 2004 | MF | Ronnie Bull | Millwall | Free | |
| Players loaned in ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
| 25 August 2003 | FW | Ben May | Millwall | End of season | |
| 12 September 2003 | MF | Tommy Wright | Leicester City | 21 November 2003 | |
| 19 September 2003 | DF | Joel Kitamirike | Chelsea | End of season | |
| 10 December 2003 | MF | Tommy Wright | Leicester City | 13 April 2004 | |
| 7 January 2004 | DF | Ronnie Bull | Millwall | 7 April 2004 | |
| 16 March 2004 | DF | Scott Fitzgerald | Colchester United | End of season | |
| Players transferred out ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | Subsequent club | Fee | Ref. |
| 28 January 2004 | GK | Paul Smith | Southampton | £500,000 | |
| 30 January 2004 | DF | Leo Roget | Rushden & Diamonds | Free | |
| 25 March 2004 | MF | Tony Rougier | Bristol City | Free | |
| Players loaned out ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | To | Date to | Ref. |
| 19 September 2003 | FW | Lloyd Blackman | Scarborough | 18 October 2003 | |
| 31 October 2003 | FW | Lloyd Blackman | Chelmsford City | 23 December 2003 | |
| 31 October 2003 | FW | Bobby Traynor | Chelmsford City | 23 December 2003 | |
| 31 January 2004 | FW | Bobby Traynor | Crawley Town | 30 March 2004 | |
| 5 March 2004 | MF | Danny Thomas | Staines Town | End of season | |
| 25 March 2004 | FW | Lloyd Blackman | Cambridge City | End of season | |
| 25 March 2004 | DF | Lee Fieldwick | Swansea City | End of season | |
| 31 March 2004 | MF | Stephen Hughes | Basingstoke Town | End of season | |
| Players released ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | Subsequent club | Join date | Ref. |
| 10 September 2003 | FW | Peter Beadle | Barnet | 10 September 2003 | |
| 24 November 2003 | GK | Danny Naisbitt | Cambridge City | 21 November 2003 | |
| 9 December 2003 | FW | Jide Olugbodi | Retired | | |
| 30 January 2004 | GK | Jani Viander | SC Ashdod | February 2004 | |
| 14 March 2004 | GK | Jim Stannard | Retired | | |
| 24 March 2004 | DF | Danny Allen-Page | Farnborough Town | 25 March 2004 | |
| 24 March 2004 | FW | Mark Peters | Farnborough Town | 25 March 2004 | |
| 2 April 2004 | MF | Bobby Traynor | Crawley Town | 2 April 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | FW | Lloyd Blackman | Farnborough Town | 13 August 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | DF | Ronnie Bull | Grimsby Town | 16 July 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | MF | Stephen Evans | Woking | 5 August 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | DF | Lee Fieldwick | Lewes | 13 August 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | MF | Stephen Hughes | Welling United | 13 August 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | GK | Barry Marchena | Kingstonian | 1 July 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | MF | Danny Thomas | Staines Town | 1 July 2004 | |
| 30 June 2004 | DF | Dean Wells | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 10 August 2004 | |

## Kit

Supplier: TFG Sponsor(s): St. George
| Home | Away |
Source: Brentford F.C.

## Awards

* Supporters' Player of the Year: Jay Tabb