1982–83 Brentford F.C. season
During the 1982–83 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The high point of a mid-table season was a run to the fourth round of the League Cup, then the furthest the club had then progressed in the competition. The 107 goals scored during the season is a club record. Season summary. After many failed attempts, Brentford manager Fred Callaghan finally signed what would prove to be a potent strike partnership during the 1982 off-season – Francis Joseph from Wimbledon and Tony Mahoney from Fulham. Goalkeeper David McKellar's contract was  terminated after a serious breach of club discipline and he was replaced by former Chelsea goalkeeper Petar Borota, though Barota would only appear in three Football League Group Cup fixtures before being in turn replaced by Paddy Roche. The defensive ranks were cleared out, with Pat Kruse, Mark Hill, Robbie Johnson, Paul Shrubb and Kevin Teer all released. Experienced former Chelsea defender Graham Wilkins arrived on a free transfer. Brentford had a busy first half of the season, reaching the fourth round of the League Cup for the first time in club history, knocking out higher-division clubs Blackburn Rovers  and Swansea City in the second and third rounds before falling to First Division club Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The Bees advanced to the second round of the FA Cup before suffering a disappointing replay defeat to Fourth Division club Swindon Town. Forward Tony Mahoney, who had up until that point scored 15 goals in 28 appearances, broke his leg in three places during the defeat. Despite heavy scoring from forwards Francis Joseph, Tony Mahoney and winger Gary Roberts during the first half of the season, Brentford's league form was patchy and 10 defeats from 14 matches  between late December 1982 and early March 1983 ultimately killed hopes of a promotion challenge. Manager Fred Callaghan signed Southampton forward Keith Cassells in a bid to replace Tony Mahoney's goals and while there was an upturn in form during the final two months of the season, Brentford could finish no higher than 9th. The Bees finished the season with the best overall and best away attacking record in the Third Division. Four club records were set or equalled during the season: