Brentford
1958–59 season
ChairmanFrank Davis
ManagerMalky MacDonald
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division3rd
FA CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague: Towers (32)
All: Towers (37)
Highest home attendance28,725
Lowest home attendance9,432
Average home league attendance13,924

During the 1958–59 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. Despite 32 goals from Jim Towers and 22 from George Francis, a number of defeats to low-placed clubs early in the season prevented the Bees from finishing higher than 3rd, one place away from promotion.

Season summary

After narrowly missing out on promotion in 1957–58, Brentford entered the 1958–59 Third Division season full of confidence.[1] Despite making a profit of £6,789 on the previous season (equivalent to £168,700 in 2023), manager Malky MacDonald decided not to add to his squad and instead planned for the future by bringing in a number of Scottish youngsters.[1][2] Brentford began the season with a resounding 4–0 victory over Bradford City, hitting top spot, but dropped back after three consecutive defeats.[3] By the time the Bees drew 1–1 with Chesterfield on 4 October 1958, the team's inconsistency could be clearly pointed to a lack of support for forwards Jim Towers and George Francis, who had scored 13 of the team's 17 goals by that point of the season.[1] In response, manager MacDonald paid £6,000 for Luton Town's outside left George McLeod.[1] After defeats to Stockport County and Reading in late October, the team recovered and began to perform on a consistent basis.[3]

Brentford had a morale-boosting run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, eliminating Exeter City, King's Lynn and Barnsley on the way to a 2–0 defeat to First Division club West Bromwich Albion in front of 41,440 at The Hawthorns.[3] A 6–0 win over Southampton at The Dell on 9 March 1959 (which set a new club record for biggest away Football League win) established the Bees as promotion contenders.[4] Three victories and two draws from the following five matches (which included a win and a draw versus leaders Plymouth Argyle) saw Brentford increase their grip on 3rd place in the table,[3] though at a cost to season-ending injuries to Ian Dargie and Len Newcombe.[1] Defeats in crucial matches versus fellow promotion challengers Norwich City and Hull City in early April effectively ended the Bees' promotion charge and all hope of promotion mathematically ended with two matches left to play.[3][5] Brentford finished the season in 3rd place.[3]

Jim Towers' 37 goals scored in all competitions during the season was just two goals shy of Jack Holliday's club record of 39, set in the Third Division South in 1932–33.[1] Towers' strike partner George Francis also finished amongst the top scorers in the Third Division, with 22 goals and 24 in all competitions.[6] Brentford finished the 1958–59 season with the best defensive record in the Third Division, conceding only 49 goals and also conceding the fewest away goals (27).[5] A new club record for most league away draws (10) was set during the season and the club record for fewest goalscorers in a season was equalled.[7][8] The 20 players used in all competitions was the lowest since the end of the Second World War and three players finishing the season as ever-presents in all 50 matches was another post-war record.[9]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Plymouth Argyle 46 23 16 7 89 59 1.508 62 Division Champions, promoted
2 Hull City 46 26 9 11 90 55 1.636 61 Promoted
3 Brentford 46 21 15 10 76 49 1.551 57
4 Norwich City 46 22 13 11 89 62 1.435 57
5 Colchester United 46 21 10 15 71 67 1.060 52
Source:

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division

No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 25 August 1958Bradford CityH4–0 15,749Towers (2), Francis (2)
2 28 August 1958Doncaster Rovers A0–1 10,654
3 30 August 1958WrexhamA1–2 16,905Towers
4 2 September 1958Doncaster RoversH0–1 14,845
5 6 September 1958SouthamptonH2–0 12,997Francis, Towers
6 9 September 1958Mansfield Town H2–0 13,625Towers (2)
7 12 September 1958Accrington StanleyA1–1 9,918Rainford
8 15 September 1958Mansfield TownA1–1 9,159Towers
9 20 September 1958Halifax TownH2–0 12,643Francis, Heath
10 22 September 1958Hull CityA1–3 14,172Heath
11 27 September 1958Newport CountyA1–0 8,220Francis
12 30 September 1958Hull CityH1–1 12,441Towers
13 4 October 1958ChesterfieldH1–1 12,473Heath
14 9 October 1958Notts CountyA0–0 4,381
15 11 October 1958Tranmere RoversA2–1 12,325Towers, Rainford
16 18 October 1958Stockport County H1–4 12,488Towers
17 25 October 1958Reading A1–3 16,186Towers
18 1 November 1958Colchester UnitedH2–1 11,945Towers, Heath
19 8 November 1958Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–0 11,564
20 22 November 1958Queens Park RangersA2–1 13,784Drinkwater (og), Towers
21 29 November 1958BuryH0–0 11,741
22 13 December 1958RochdaleH2–1 9,432Towers, Dargie
23 20 December 1958Bradford City A0–3 11,473
24 25 December 1958Swindon TownH2–2 12,504McLeod, Francis
25 26 December 1958Swindon TownA1–1 12,690Francis
26 3 January 1959WrexhamH2–1 11,723Francis (2)
27 31 January 1959Accrington Stanley H2–1 11,260Francis, Towers
28 7 February 1959Halifax TownA0–0 4,654
29 14 February 1959Newport CountyH3–0 10,392McLeod, Bristow, Towers
30 21 February 1959ChesterfieldA2–1 9,649Francis, Towers (pen)
31 28 February 1959Tranmere RoversH5–2 13,138Towers (2), Francis, Rainford (2)
32 7 March 1959Stockport CountyA1–1 7,973Towers (pen)
33 9 March 1959Southampton A6–0 7,756McLeod, Towers (4), Francis
34 14 March 1959 Reading H 3–1 18,209 Francis (2), Rainford
35 21 March 1959Colchester UnitedA4–0 8,775Francis (2), McLeod, Towers
36 27 March 1959 Plymouth Argyle H 3–0 28,725 Towers, Rainford, Francis
37 28 March 1959Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH1–1 15,970McLeod
38 30 March 1959Plymouth ArgyleA1–1 27,073Parsons
39 4 April 1959Norwich City A1–4 27,870Francis
40 8 April 1959Southend UnitedA0–2 9,022
41 11 April 1959Queens Park RangersH1–0 15,905Rainford
42 18 April 1959 Bury A 1–1 7,092 Towers
43 21 April 1959Notts CountyH4–0 11,738Francis, Towers (3, 2 pens)
44 25 April 1959 Southend United H 6–1 11,264 Rainford, Francis (2), Towers (2), Williamson (og)
45 27 April 1959RochdaleA0–0 2,191
46 30 April 1959Norwich City H0–4 19,035

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
1R 15 November 1958 Exeter City H 3–2 14,600 Towers, Francis, Rainford [nb 1]
2R 6 December 1958 King's Lynn H 3–1 14,100 Towers (3)
3R 10 January 1959 Barnsley H 2–0 16,890 Towers, Francis
4R24 January 1959West Bromwich Albion A0–2 41,440

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1958–59 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread England 1 April 1936 (aged 22) Youth 1954
GK Sonny Feehan Republic of Ireland 17 September 1926 (aged 31) Northampton Town 1954
Defenders
DF Ken Horne England 25 June 1926 (aged 32) Blackpool 1950
DF Tom Wilson (c) England 3 July 1930 (aged 28) Fulham 1957
Midfielders
HB George Bristow England 25 June 1933 (aged 25) Youth 1950
HB Ken Coote England 19 May 1928 (aged 30) Wembley 1949
HB Ian Dargie England 3 October 1931 (aged 26) Tonbridge 1952
HB Billy Goundry England 28 March 1934 (aged 24) Huddersfield Town 1955
HB Ron Peplow England 4 May 1935 (aged 23) Southall 1955
HB Sid Russell England 4 October 1937 (aged 20) Jolly X 1956
Forwards
FW John Caven Scotland 6 July 1934 (aged 24) Kilmarnock 1957
FW George Francis England 4 February 1934 (aged 24) Youth 1955
FW Johnny Hales Scotland 15 May 1940 (aged 18) St Roch's 1958
FW Dennis Heath England 28 September 1934 (aged 23) Youth 1954
FW Billy Horn Scotland 13 May 1938 (aged 20) Kilmarnock 1958 Amateur
FW George McLeod Scotland 30 November 1932 (aged 25) Luton Town 1958
FW Len Newcombe Wales 28 February 1931 (aged 27) Fulham 1956
FW Eric Parsons England 9 November 1923 (aged 34) Chelsea 1956
FW Johnny Rainford England 11 December 1930 (aged 27) Cardiff City 1953
FW Jim Towers England 15 April 1933 (aged 25) Youth 1954
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[6] Timeless Bees[10]

Coaching staff

Name Role
Scotland Malky MacDonald Manager
England Fred Monk Trainer
England Jack Holliday Assistant Trainer

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 England Gerry Cakebread 45 0 4 0 49 0
GK Republic of Ireland Sonny Feehan 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Ken Horne 45 0 3 0 48 0
DF England Tom Wilson 46 0 4 0 50 0
HB England George Bristow 37 1 4 0 41 1
HB England Ken Coote 44 0 4 0 48 0
HB England Ian Dargie 37 1 4 0 41 1
HB England Billy Goundry 12 0 1 0 13 0
HB England Ron Peplow 7 0 0 0 7 0
HB England Sid Russell 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW Scotland John Caven 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW England George Francis 45 22 4 2 49 24
FW Scotland Johnny Hales 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW England Dennis Heath 25 4 4 0 29 4
FW ScotlandBilly Horn 100 010
FW Scotland George McLeod 29 5 4 0 33 5
FW Wales Len Newcombe 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW England Eric Parsons 34 1 0 0 34 1
FW England Johnny Rainford 46 8 4 1 50 9
FW England Jim Towers 46 32 4 5 50 37
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[6]

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW England Jim Towers 32 5 37
FW England George Francis 22 2 24
FW England Johnny Rainford 8 1 9
FW Scotland George McLeod 5 0 5
FW England Dennis Heath 4 0 4
HB England George Bristow 1 0 1
HB England Ian Dargie 1 0 1
FW England Eric Parsons 1 0 1
Opponents 2 0 2
Total76884
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[6]

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Malky MacDonald Scotland 25 August 1958 30 April 1959 50 24 15 11 048.00 46 21 15 10 045.65

Summary

Games played50 (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup)
Games won24 (21 Third Division, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn15 (15 Third Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost11 (10 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored84 (76 Third Division, 8 FA Cup)
Goals conceded54 (49 Third Division, 5 FA Cup)
Clean sheets17 (16 Third Division, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win6–0 versus Southampton, 9 March 1959
Worst league defeat4–0 versus Norwich City, 30 April 1959
Most appearances50, Johnny Rainford, Tom Wilson (46 Third Division, 4 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)32, Jim Towers
Top scorer (all competitions)37, Jim Towers

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
August 1958 HB Scotland Jimmy Lafferty n/a n/a [11]
6 September 1958 HB Scotland Charlie McInally Scotland St Roch's n/a [2]
September 1958 FW Scotland Johnny Hales Scotland St Roch's n/a [12]
25 October 1958 FW Scotland Billy Horn Scotland Kilmarnock Amateur [2]
October 1958 FW Scotland George McLeod England Luton Town £6,000 [13]
1958 DF England Peter Gelson n/a n/a [14]
10 January 1959 FW Scotland George Summers Scotland Shawfield n/a [15]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
December 1958 HB England Len Roe England Yiewsley n/a [16]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1959 DF England Alan Bassham England Folkestone Town 1959 [9]
May 1959 FW Scotland John Caven n/a n/a [17]
May 1959 FW Republic of Ireland Sonny Feehan England Headington United 1959 [18]
May 1959 FW Republic of Ireland Christy Fletcher England Peterborough United 1959 [19]
May 1959 FW Scotland Billy Horn Scotland Kilmarnock 1959 [20]
May 1959 DF England George Lowden England Hounslow Town n/a [21]

Notes

  1. ↑ Both teams wore change colours.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 White 1989, p. 229-232.
  2. 1 2 3 "1958". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Brentford results for the 1958–1959 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Haynes 1998, p. 17.
  5. 1 2 "Brentford Table on Saturday 25th April 1959". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 385. ISBN 0951526200.
  7. ↑ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. pp. 78–79. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  8. ↑ White 1989, p. 62.
  9. 1 2 "No promotion for Brentford but many records. Only 20 players in the league side". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 8 May 1959.
  10. ↑ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  11. ↑ "Scottish League appearance records – L". Scottish Football Historical Archive. p. 366. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  12. ↑ "Johnny Hales". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  13. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 107.
  14. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 63-64.
  15. ↑ "1959". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  16. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 136-137.
  17. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 35.
  18. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 55.
  19. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 58.
  20. ↑ "Billy Horn". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  21. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 98.
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