Brentford
1930–31 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division South3rd
FA CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague: W. Lane (27)
All: W. Lane (32)
Highest home attendance23,544
Lowest home attendance2,306
Average home league attendance8,236

During the 1930–31 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. Despite failing to challenge for promotion, the Bees finished in 3rd place and advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in four years.

Season summary

Inside right Jack Lane, one of Brentford's great players of the 1920s and early 1930s, transferred out of the club in January 1931.

Brentford entered the 1930–31 Third Division South season with largely the same personnel which secured a runners-up finish the previous year. The only significant signing was goalkeeper Edward Nash from Swindon Town in September 1930, to cover for Freddie Fox,[1] from whom Nash would take over the goalkeeping position during the second half of the season.[2] The previous season's prolific forward line of Billy Lane, Jack Lane and Cecil Blakemore again showed excellent goalscoring form during the first half of the season, with Bill Berry returning to the fold after a season in the reserve team and replacing the out-of-form John Payne.[2]

Despite the large number of goals, the team's form was patchy, though a run of 8 defeats in 15 league matches between 27 September and 27 December 1930 only dropped the Bees from 5th to 7th position.[3] An 8–2 victory over Crystal Palace on Christmas Day was Brentford's biggest win of the season and equalled the club record for highest aggregate score in a Football League match.[4] The Bees also embarked on a run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, falling to First Division Portsmouth at Griffin Park.[3] Despite the transfer of 19-goal Jack Lane to Crystal Palace in January 1931,[5] Brentford's form improved,[3] with Billy Lane continuing to score and new forward signings George Robson and Les Wilkins making a contribution.[2] 9 wins in the final 31 matches saw the Bees finish the season in 3rd place,[3] 9 points behind champions Notts County.[6]

Brentford's 1930–31 season is notable for the amount of hat-tricks scored, with Billy Lane claiming three, Jack Lane two and Frederick Gamble one,[2] which convinced West Ham United to sign Gamble in exchange for Les Wilkins in February 1931, despite Gamble having made only 13 appearances in just under two years.[7] During the season, Billy Lane and Jack Lane each scored a hat-trick in the same match twice during a one-month period – in the 6–1 FA Cup first round victory over Ilford on 29 November 1930 and in the 8–2 league victory over Crystal Palace on Christmas Day.[8] Jack Lane's only goal of the game versus Norwich City in the FA Cup second round on 13 December 1930 marked the first time in the club's Football League history that three players had reached 10 goals for the season prior to Christmas Day.[9] The other goalscorers then on double figures were Billy Lane and Cecil Blakemore.[9]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Notts County (C, P) 42 24 11 7 97 46 2.109 59 Promoted
2 Crystal Palace 42 22 7 13 107 71 1.507 51
3 Brentford 42 22 6 14 90 64 1.406 50
4 Brighton & Hove Albion 42 17 15 10 68 53 1.283 49
5 Southend United 42 22 5 15 76 60 1.267 49
Source:
(C) Division Champions; (P) Promoted

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South

No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s) Notes
1 30 August 1930Luton TownA1–1 11,686Foster
2 3 September 1930Northampton TownH0–4 11,356
3 6 September 1930Bristol RoversH4–0 9,919Blakemore (2), W. Lane (2)
4 8 September 1930FulhamA1–1 12,248W. Lane
5 13 September 1930Newport CountyA2–0 2,758W. Lane
6 17 September 1930Fulham H4–1 9,564W. Lane (2), J. Lane, Payne
7 20 September 1930GillinghamH1–1 9,407Payne
8 24 September 1930Notts CountyH2–2 9,999Blakemore (pen), W. Lane
9 27 September 1930Exeter CityA0–4 5,352
10 4 October 1930Brighton & Hove AlbionH3–2 9,348W. Lane, Blakemore, J. Lane
11 11 October 1930Torquay UnitedA3–0 6,944J. Lane, Hill (og), W. Lane
12 18 October 1930Coventry City H1–2 10,244W. Lane
13 25 October 1930Walsall A4–1 2,943J. Lane, W. Lane, Berry
14 1 November 1930Queens Park Rangers H5–3 10,857Berry (2), J. Lane, Blakemore (2, 1 pen)
15 8 November 1930Norwich CityA0–3 9,172
16 15 November 1930ThamesH6–1 7,211Berry (2), J. Lane, Blakemore (2), W. Lane (2)
17 22 November 1930Clapton OrientN0–3 8,319 [nb 1]
18 6 December 1930WatfordA3–1 6,775W. Lane, Berry, Blakemore (pen)
19 18 December 1930Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH1–2 2,306J. Lane
20 20 December 1930Swindon Town A2–3 4,728Blakemore, J. Lane
21 25 December 1930Crystal PalaceH8–2 11,770J. Lane (3), Berry (2), W. Lane (3)
22 26 December 1930Crystal Palace A1–5 15,853W. Lane
23 27 December 1930Luton Town H0–1 7,353
24 3 January 1931Bristol RoversA5–2 7,449W. Lane (3), Berry (2)
25 17 January 1931Newport County H3–2 7,170J. Lane, Berry, W. Lane
26 28 January 1931GillinghamA1–1 2,547J. Lane
27 31 January 1931Exeter CityH2–1 7,575Gamble, Berry
28 7 February 1931Brighton & Hove AlbionA0–1 9,451
29 14 February 1931Torquay UnitedH0–0 6,464
30 21 February 1931Coventry CityA1–0 9,651Blakemore
31 28 February 1931WalsallH6–1 7,117Berry (2), Gamble (3), John (og)
32 7 March 1931Queens Park Rangers A1–3 10,331Sherlaw
33 14 March 1931Norwich CityH3–1 9,013Hannah (og), Robson, Wilkins
34 21 March 1931ThamesA0–2 3,675
35 28 March 1931Clapton OrientH3–0 7,757W. Lane, Robson, Berry
36 3 April 1931Southend UnitedH3–1 6,027W. Lane, Blakemore, Robson
37 4 April 1931Notts CountyA0–1 14,759
38 6 April 1931Southend UnitedA1–0 9,969Berry
39 11 April 1931WatfordH2–1 8,163W. Lane, Blakemore (pen)
40 18 April 1931Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–1 3,662
41 25 April 1931Swindon TownH5–2 4,327Berry (2), W. Lane, Robson
42 2 May 1931Northampton TownA2–1 3,698Sherlaw, Berry

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 29 November 1930 Ilford A 6–1 5,718 W. Lane (3), J. Lane (3)
2R 13 December 1930 Norwich City H 1–0 12,000 J. Lane
3R 10 January 1931 Cardiff City H 2–2 16,500 Berry, W. Lane
3R (replay) 14 January 1931 Cardiff City A 2–1 25,000 W. Lane, J. Lane
4R24 January 1931Portsmouth H0–1 23,544

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1930–31 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Freddie Fox England 22 November 1898 (aged 31) Halifax Town 1928
GK Frank McDonough England 24 December 1899 (aged 30) Annfield Plain 1930
GK Edward Nash England 12 April 1902 (aged 28) Swindon Town 1930
Defenders
DF Tom Adamson Scotland 12 February 1901 (aged 29) Bury 1929
DF Bill Bann Scotland 15 August 1902 (aged 28) Tottenham Hotspur 1930
DF William Hodge Scotland 31 August 1904 (aged 25) Rangers 1927
DF Alexander Stevenson Scotland 24 October 1903 (aged 26) Armadale 1927
Midfielders
HB Jimmy Bain Scotland 6 February 1899 (aged 31) Manchester Central 1928
HB Reginald Davies (c) England 30 September 1897 (aged 32) Portsmouth 1928
HB Harry Salt England 20 January 1899 (aged 31) Crystal Palace 1929
HB Teddy Ware England 17 September 1906 (aged 23) Chatham Town 1928
Forwards
FW Ralph Allen England 30 June 1906 (aged 24) Fulham 1930
FW Bill Berry England 18 August 1904 (aged 26) Gillingham 1926
FW Cecil Blakemore England 8 December 1897 (aged 32) Bristol City 1929
FW Jackie Foster England 21 March 1903 (aged 27) Bristol City 1929
FW Billy Lane England 23 October 1904 (aged 25) Reading 1929
FW Herbert Lawson England 12 April 1905 (aged 25) Arsenal 1927
FW George Robson England 17 June 1908 (aged 22) West Ham United 1931
FW James Shaw England 8 August 1904 (aged 26) Arsenal 1930
FW David Sherlaw Scotland 17 September 1901 (aged 28) Charlton Athletic 1928
FW Norman Thomson Scotland 20 February 1901 (aged 29) Norwich City 1930
FW Les Wilkins Wales 21 January 1907 (aged 23) West Ham United 1931
Players who left the club mid-season
FW Frederick Gamble England 29 May 1905 (aged 25) Southall 1928 Transferred to West Ham United
FW Jack Lane England 29 May 1898 (aged 32) Chesterfield 1925 Transferred to Crystal Palace
FW John Payne England 3 January 1906 (aged 24) West Ham United 1929 Transferred to Manchester City
FW Les Roberts England 28 May 1901 (aged 29) Swindon Town 1930 Transferred to Manchester City
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[2] Timeless Bees,[10] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[11]

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 Freddie Fox 19 0 2 0 21 0
GK England Frank McDonough 2 0 0 0 2 0
GK England Edward Nash 21 0 3 0 24 0
DF ScotlandTom Adamson 3605 0410
DF ScotlandBill Bann 300030
DF ScotlandWilliam Hodge 1900 0 190
DF Scotland Alexander Stevenson 26 0 5 0 31 0
HB ScotlandJimmy Bain 4205 0470
HB EnglandReginald Davies 3804 0420
HB England Harry Salt 25 0 5 0 30 0
HB England Teddy Ware 17 0 0 0 17 0
FW England Ralph Allen 2 0 — 2 0
FW England Bill Berry 32 18 5 1 37 19
FW England Cecil Blakemore 35 13 5 0 40 13
FW EnglandJackie Foster 3915 0441
FW England Frederick Gamble 6 4 0 0 6 4
FW England Billy Lane 33 27 5 5 38 32
FW EnglandJack Lane 25145 53019
FW England Herbert Lawson 4 0 1 0 5 0
FW England John Payne 10 2 0 0 10 2
FW England Les Roberts 5 0 0 0 5 0
FW England George Robson 13 5 — 13 5
FW England James Shaw 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW Scotland David Sherlaw 6 2 0 0 6 2
FW ScotlandNorman Thomson 100 010
FW Wales Les Wilkins 2 1 — 2 1
  • 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 27 5 32
FW England Bill Berry 18 1 19
FW England Jack Lane 14 5 19
FW England Cecil Blakemore 13 0 13
FW England George Robson 5 — 5
FW England Frederick Gamble 4 0 4
FW England John Payne 2 0 2
FW Scotland David Sherlaw 2 0 2
FW Wales Les Wilkins 1 — 1
FW England Jackie Foster101
Opponents 3 0 3
Total9011101
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[2]

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis England 30 August 1930 2 May 1931 47 25 7 15 053.19|42 22 6 14 052.38

Summary

Games played47 (42 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Games won25 (22 Third Division South, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn7 (6 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games lost15 (14 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored101 (90 Third Division South, 11 FA Cup)
Goals conceded69 (64 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Clean sheets8 (7 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win8–2 versus Crystal Palace, 25 December 1930
Worst league defeat4–0 on two occasions
Most appearances47, Jimmy Bain (42 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)27, Billy Lane
Top scorer (all competitions)32, Billy Lane

Transfers & loans

Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1930 FW England James Shaw England Arsenal Free [12]
3 June 1930 DF Scotland Bill Bann England Tottenham Hotspur Free [13]
June 1930 FW England Les Roberts England Swindon Town Free [13]
August 1930 FW Scotland Norman Thomson England Norwich City Nominal [14]
September 1930 GK England Edward Nash England Swindon Town n/a [1]
February 1931 FW England George Robson England West Ham United n/a [15]
February 1931 FW England Bert Stephens England Ealing Association Free [16]
February 1931 FW Wales Les Wilkins England West Ham United Exchange [17]
March 1931 FW England Ralph Allen England Fulham Free [18]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
May 1930DFEngland George DumbrellEngland Leicester City£1,750[19]
29 January 1931 FW England Jack Lane England Crystal Palace n/a [20]
January 1931 FW England John Payne England Manchester City n/a [21]
January 1931 FW England Les Roberts England Manchester City n/a [22]
February 1931 FW England Frederick Gamble England West Ham United Exchange [7]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1931 GK England Freddie Fox England Truro City n/a [23]
May 1931 GK England Frank McDonough England Thames May 1931 [24]
May 1931 FW England James Shaw England Gillingham May 1931 [25]
May 1931 HB Wales Martin Woosnam England Thames May 1931 [24]

Notes

  1. ↑ Match played at Wembley Stadium, London due to Clapton Orient's Lea Bridge Stadium being temporarily closed due it failing to satisfy Football League requirements. This is the only occasion on which Brentford have played a league match on neutral territory.

References

  1. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 114.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 371. ISBN 0951526200.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Brentford results for the 1930–1931 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "Brentford scoring and sequence records". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 93-94.
  6. ↑ "Brentford League Table 1930-1931". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  7. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 62.
  8. ↑ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 68. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  9. 1 2 ""Ten Up" Trio". brentfordfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  10. ↑ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  11. ↑ Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  12. ↑ "James Shaw". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Bees' Latest Captures". County of Middlesex Independent. 7 June 1930.
  14. ↑ "Bees Team Completed. Another Inside Right Signed. Benefit For Jack Lane: Tribute To A Sportsman: Not The Oldest Player: Brentford's Cricket Success". County of Middlesex Independent. 16 August 1930.
  15. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 136.
  16. ↑ "Bert Stephens". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  17. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 169.
  18. ↑ "Ralph Allen". Fulhamweb. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  19. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 50-51.
  20. ↑ "John (Jack) Lane". Holmesdale Online. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 122.
  22. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 134-135.
  23. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 59-60.
  24. 1 2 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.
  25. ↑ "On This Day". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
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