1931–32 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1931–32 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. Despite leading the division for two months in mid-season, the Bees fell away to finish 5th.

Brentford
1931–32 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division South5th
FA CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague: Lane (22)
All: Lane (27)
Highest home attendance26,139
Lowest home attendance4,902
Average home league attendance11,347

Season summary

Brentford manager Harry Curtis' additions to his squad for the 1931–32 Third Division South season were minor – backup goalkeeper Dave Smith, amateur half back Jackie Gibbons and forwards George Cook, George Robson and Bert Stephens. The team had a very strong first half of the season, rising to the top of the table by 5 December 1931 and staying there until 13 February 1932, when a run of just five defeats in 31 matches in all competitions came to an end.[1] Billy Lane kept up his prolific goalscoring form from the previous two seasons, scoring 20 goals in a 27 match spell, with Jackie Foster, Bill Berry and Jackie Gibbons also supporting with regular goals.[2]

As in the previous two seasons, Brentford's suffered a slump in the second half of the campaign, losing 9 of 14 matches between mid-February and late April to drop to as low as 9th, though two wins from the final two matches of the season elevated the side to a 5th-place finish.[1] Brentford had also reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the second successive season, exiting the competition after a heavy 6–1 defeat at the hands of top-flight Manchester City at Maine Road.[1] It had been rumoured in April 1932 that manager Curtis had tendered his resignation, but chairman Louis P. Simon recognised his good work over the previous six years and persuaded him to stay.[3] A run of four successive home Football League draws during the season equalled the club record,[4] while Billy Lane's seventh and final Brentford hattrick (scored versus Coventry City on 12 September 1931) set a new club record.[5]

Reserve team

Brentford's reserve team finished as champions of the London Combination for the first time.[6] The team went undefeated at home from 21 November 1931, setting off a run which extended until 4 November 1933.[7] Ralph Allen captained the team and scored a large percentage of the goals.[7][8]

League table
Main article: 1931–32 Football League Third Division South

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
3 Southend United 42 21 11 10 77 53 1.453 53
4 Crystal Palace 42 20 11 11 74 63 1.175 51
5 Brentford 42 19 10 13 68 52 1.308 48
6 Luton Town 42 20 7 15 95 70 1.357 47
7 Exeter City 42 20 7 15 77 62 1.242 47
Source:

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 29 August 1931Queens Park RangersH1–0 20,739Robson
2 3 September 1931ThamesA1–1 4,217Cook
3 5 September 1931Exeter CityA1–4 7,093Lane
4 9 September 1931ReadingA2–1 9,155Lane, Foster
5 12 September 1931Coventry City H4–2 8,017Lane (3), Foster
6 19 September 1931GillinghamA2–1 7,225Lane, Foster
7 24 September 1931ReadingH3–0 8,942Lane (2), Foster
8 26 September 1931Luton Town H1–0 12,540Burns
9 3 October 1931Cardiff CityA2–3 9,521Burns, Lane
10 10 October 1931Northampton Town H2–0 12,694Lane (pen), Robson
11 17 October 1931Bristol RoversH4–2 11,338Burns, Robson (2 pens), Berry
12 24 October 1931Torquay UnitedA1–1 4,650Robson (pen)
13 31 October 1931Clapton OrientH3–0 11,295Berry (2), Burns
14 7 November 1931Swindon TownA3–1 6,415Lane, Foster (2)
15 14 November 1931Norwich City H0–1 11,484
16 21 November 1931Brighton & Hove AlbionA2–1 9,582Lane, Berry
17 5 December 1931Watford A4–1 12,086Robson, Foster, Lane (2)
18 19 December 1931Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA3–1 5,000Lane, Foster, Burns
19 25 December 1931FulhamH0–0 26,139
20 26 December 1931FulhamA1–2 29,253Robson
21 2 January 1932Queens Park RangersA2–1 33,553Lane (2)
22 13 January 1932Mansfield TownH1–1 4,902Lane
23 16 January 1932Exeter CityH2–2 11,981Lane, Foster
24 28 January 1932Coventry CityA1–0 6,172Berry
25 30 January 1932GillinghamH1–1 11,361Berry
26 6 February 1932Luton TownA1–1 7,402Lane
27 13 February 1932Cardiff CityH2–3 16,239Crompton, Gibbins
28 20 February 1932Northampton TownA0–3 6,533
29 27 February 1932Bristol Rovers A0–2 6,114
30 5 March 1932Torquay UnitedH3–2 11,293Webster (og), Burns, Gibbins
31 12 March 1932Clapton OrientA2–2 10,700Crompton, Foster
32 19 March 1932Swindon TownH2–0 10,179Robson (pen), Foster
33 25 March 1932Southend United H2–3 15,237Crompton, Gibbins
34 26 March 1932Norwich City A0–1 10,422
35 28 March 1932Southend UnitedA0–1 17,313
36 2 April 1932Brighton & Hove Albion H2–2 9,107Gibbins (2)
37 9 April 1932Mansfield TownA0–2 4,932
38 13 April 1932Crystal PalaceH1–1 5,816Lane
39 16 April 1932WatfordH1–2 6,723Burns
40 23 April 1932Crystal PalaceA0–1 12,138
41 30 April 1932Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH4–2 5,906Foster (2), Cook, Lane
42 7 May 1932ThamesH1–0 6,364Robson

FA Cup
Main article: 1931–32 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 28 November 1931 Tunbridge Wells Rangers A 1–1 5,680 Burns
1R (replay) 2 December 1931 Tunbridge Wells Rangers H 2–1 10,000 Lane (pen), Burns
2R 12 December 1931 Norwich City H 4–1 17,050 Lane (2), Robson, Berry
3R 9 January 1932 Bath City H 2–0 15,700 Lane, Berry
4R23 January 1932Manchester City A1–6 56,190 Lane

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1931–32 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Edward Nash England (1902-04-12)12 April 1902 (aged 29) Swindon Town 1930
GK Dave Smith Scotland (1903-07-06)6 July 1903 (aged 28) Gillingham 1931
Defenders
DF Tom Adamson Scotland (1901-02-12)12 February 1901 (aged 30) Bury 1929
DF Bill Bann Scotland (1902-08-15)15 August 1902 (aged 29) Tottenham Hotspur 1930
DF William Hodge Scotland (1904-08-31)31 August 1904 (aged 26) Rangers 1927
DF Alexander Stevenson Scotland (1903-10-24)24 October 1903 (aged 27) Armadale 1927
DF George Weeks England (1902-08-05)5 August 1902 (aged 29) Southall 1929
Midfielders
HB Jimmy Bain (c) Scotland (1899-02-06)6 February 1899 (aged 32) Manchester Central 1928
HB Joe James England (1910-01-13)13 January 1910 (aged 21) Battersea Church 1929
HB Harry Salt England (1899-01-20)20 January 1899 (aged 32) Crystal Palace 1929
HB Teddy Ware England (1906-09-17)17 September 1906 (aged 24) Chatham Town 1928
HB Les Wilkins Wales (1907-01-21)21 January 1907 (aged 24) West Ham United 1931
Forwards
FW Ralph Allen England (1906-06-30)30 June 1906 (aged 25) Fulham 1930
FW Bill Berry England (1904-08-18)18 August 1904 (aged 27) Gillingham 1926
FW Jackie Burns England (1906-11-27)27 November 1906 (aged 24) Queens Park Rangers 1931 Amateur
FW George Cook England (1895-02-27)27 February 1895 (aged 36) Tottenham Hotspur 1931
FW Arthur Crompton England (1903-01-09)9 January 1903 (aged 28) Southend United 1932
FW Jackie Foster England (1903-03-21)21 March 1903 (aged 28) Bristol City 1929
FW Vivian Gibbins England (1901-08-10)10 August 1901 (aged 30) Clapton 1932 Amateur
FW Billy Lane England (1904-10-23)23 October 1904 (aged 26) Reading 1929
FW Herbert Lawson England (1905-04-12)12 April 1905 (aged 26) Arsenal 1927
FW George Robson England (1908-06-17)17 June 1908 (aged 23) West Ham United 1931
FW Bert Stephens England (1909-05-13)13 May 1909 (aged 22) Ealing Association 1931
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[2] Timeless Bees,[9] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[10]

Coaching staff
Name Role
England Harry Curtis Manager
England Bob Kane Trainer
England Jack Cartmell 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 Edward Nash 35 0 5 0 40 0
GK Scotland Dave Smith 7 0 0 0 7 0
DF ScotlandTom Adamson 3505 0400
DF ScotlandBill Bann 400040
DF ScotlandWilliam Hodge 2903 0 320
DF Scotland Alexander Stevenson 14 0 2 0 16 0
DF England George Weeks 2 0 0 0 2 0
HB ScotlandJimmy Bain 3703 0400
HB England Joe James 5 0 2 0 7 0
HB England Harry Salt 13 0 0 0 13 0
HB England Teddy Ware 41 0 5 0 46 0
HB Wales Les Wilkins 17 0 4 0 21 0
FW England Ralph Allen 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW England Bill Berry 31 6 5 2 36 8
FW EnglandJackie Burns 3675 2417
FW England George Cook 14 3 1 0 15 3
FW England Arthur Crompton 12 3 — 12 3
FW EnglandJackie Foster 40125 04512
FW EnglandVivian Gibbins 85— 85
FW England Billy Lane 37 22 5 5 42 27
FW England Herbert Lawson 3 0 0 0 3 0
FW England George Robson 38 9 5 1 43 10
FW England Bert Stephens 2 0 0 0 2 0
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW England Billy Lane 22 5 27
FW England Jackie Foster12012
FW England George Robson 9 1 10
FW England Bill Berry 6 2 8
FW England Jackie Burns 7 2 5
FW England Vivian Gibbins 5 — 5
FW England Arthur Crompton 3 — 3
FW England George Cook 3 0 3
Opponents 1 0 1
Total681078
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Amateur international caps
Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW England Jackie Burns 3 0 [11]
FW England Vivian Gibbins 2 0 [11]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis England 9 August 1931 7 May 1932 47 22 11 14 046.81|42 19 10 13 045.24

Summary
Games played47 (42 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Games won22 (19 Third Division South, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn11 (10 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games lost14 (13 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored78 (68 Third Division South, 10 FA Cup)
Goals conceded61 (52 Third Division South, 9 FA Cup)
Clean sheets10 (9 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win3–0 on two occasions; 4–1 versus Watford, 5 December 1931
Worst league defeat3–0 versus Northampton Town, 20 February 1932; 4–1 versus Exeter City, 5 September 1931
Most appearances46, Teddy Ware (41 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)22, Billy Lane
Top scorer (all competitions)27, Billy Lane

Transfers & loans
Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1931 FW England Andy Anderson England Blyth Spartans n/a [12]
May 1931 FW England Jackie Burns England Queens Park Rangers Amateur [13]
May 1931 FW Scotland Malcolm Comrie Scotland Denny Hibernians n/a [14]
May 1931 FW Scotland Johnny McPhee England Sunderland n/a [15]
May 1931 GK Scotland Dave Smith England Gillingham Free [16]
August 1931 FW England George Cook England Tottenham Hotspur n/a [3]
August 1931 FW S. Fieldus England Millwall n/a [17]
August 1931 HB England Cecil Smith England Brentford Market Free [18]
1931 LH England Albert Woods England Gillingham n/a [19]
11 February 1932 FW England Vivian Gibbins England Clapton Amateur [20]
February 1932 FW England Arthur Crompton England Southend United n/a [21]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
August 1931 FW England Cecil Blakemore England Norwich City £200 [22]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1932 FW England Andy Anderson n/a n/a [3]
May 1932 DF Scotland Bill Bann England Bristol Rovers 4 June 1932 [23]
May 1932 FW Scotland Malcolm Comrie England Manchester City July 1932 [24]
May 1932 FW England George Cook Wales Colwyn Bay United 1932 [25]
May 1932 HB England Reginald Davies England Mansfield Town 1932 [26]
May 1932 FW England Vivian Gibbins England Bristol Rovers 9 June 1932 [27]
May 1932 GK England Edward Nash England Crystal Palace August 1932 [28]
May 1932 HB England Harry Salt England Walsall May 1932 [29]
May 1932 FW Scotland David Sherlaw Scotland St Johnstone 6 July 1932 [23]
May 1932 GK Scotland Dave Smith Scotland Nithsdale Wanderers 1932 [30]
May 1932 DF England George Weeks England Watford July 1932 [31]
May 1932 FW Wales Les Wilkins England Swindon Town 1932 [32]

Notes

    References
    1. "Brentford results for the 1931–1932 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
    2. White 1989, p. 371.
    3. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. pp. 132–135. ISBN 0951526200.
    4. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 78. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
    5. "They played for both: Bristol City". Brentford FC. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
    6. Haynes 1998, p. 83.
    7. Haynes 1998, p. 108-110.
    8. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 10.
    9. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
    10. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
    11. "England Matches – The Amateurs 1906–1939". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
    12. "Andrew Anderson, outside-left of Blyth Spartans, by Brentford". Daily Herald. 8 May 1931.
    13. "Seasonal Stats – 1931–32". QPRnet. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
    14. "On The Wing – Latest Movements Of Players". The Athletic News. 1 June 1931.
    15. "Brentford have signed on J. McPhee, a 19-year-old outside-right from Sunderland". Daily Herald. 16 May 1931.
    16. Argus (8 May 1931). "I note that Thames have engaged Martin Woosnam (half-back) and F. J. McDonough (goalkeeper), whom Brentford placed on the free transfer list last week". Brentford & Chiswick Times.
    17. "Brentford have signed S. Fieldus, inside-forward, last season with Millwall". Daily Herald. 12 August 1931.
    18. "Brentford have signed C. S. Smith, inside left of Brentford Market F.C, as a professional". Daily Herald. 28 August 1931.
    19. "On This Day". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
    20. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 64.
    21. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 42.
    22. "Brentford Ready. To Fight All The Way For Promotion. The Season's Prospects. Promise Of Brilliant Attack And Sound Defence". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 14 August 1931.
    23. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
    24. Matthews, Tony (21 November 2013). Manchester City: Player by Player. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445617374.
    25. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 39.
    26. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45-46.
    27. "Gibbins Leaves The "Bees"". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 10 June 1932.
    28. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 114.
    29. "J. Cunningham, the Queens Park Rangers' goalkeeper, and H. Salt, a Brentford half-back, have been signed by Walsall". Daily Herald. 24 May 1932.
    30. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 147.
    31. "Players – Waugh to Williams" (PDF). Watford Football Club archive 1881–2016. p. 5. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
    32. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 169.
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