Brentford
1933–34 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Second Division4th
FA CupThird round
Top goalscorerLeague: Holliday (27)
All: Holliday (27)
Highest home attendance26,934
Lowest home attendance12,017
Average home league attendance16,377

During the 1933–34 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division for the first time in the club's history. A strong run in the middle of the season saw the Bees hold the second promotion place throughout March 1934, before a slight drop in form led the club to a still-impressive 4th-place finish.

Season summary

In preparation for Brentford's first-ever Second Division season and after a loss of £932 on the previous season (equivalent to £70,400 in 2023),[1] manager Harry Curtis brought in a number of younger players to replace ageing full backs Tom Adamson, Alexander Stevenson and half back captain Jimmy Bain.[2] Curtis stuck with the same free-scoring strikeforce of the previous season, electing to add only outside left Charlie Fletcher from Clapton Orient.[3] Despite winning just 6 of the opening 16 matches of the season, Brentford found themselves in 8th place, before a run of 8 wins in 11 matches put the club into the second promotion place on 3 February 1934.[4] Manager Curtis had made an astute purchase in the transfer market in January, recruiting Southend United's full back Arthur Bateman as a replacement for Tom Adamson.[5]

2nd place was held until a defeat to Bradford City on 24 March dropped Brentford back to 3rd and results in the following four matches dropped the club to 4th.[4] A 2–0 win over Swansea Town on 14 April saw the Bees rise back to the one remaining promotion place, with just three matches to play.[4] Defeat to Millwall in the first of those matches dropped Brentford back to 4th,[4] but a resounding 5–0 victory over Lincoln City in the penultimate match of the season left the Bees knowing that a draw and favourable results for 2nd-place Preston North End and 3rd-place Bolton Wanderers on the final day would be enough to secure promotion to the First Division.[6] Despite Brentford's 2–1 victory over Bury at Gigg Lane on the final day, victory for Preston North End saw the Lilywhites pip Bolton Wanderers into the second promotion place.[7] Brentford finished 4th in the club's first season in the second tier of English football.[8]

Just one of Brentford's 85 goals during the season came from a player who was not a forward, centre half Joe James and the tally of 8 goalscorers for the season was at that time the lowest in club history.[9][10] Jack Holliday top-scored with an impressive 27 goals and Idris Hopkins flourished at the higher level, scoring 21 times.[9] Ernest Muttitt, Billy Scott and Charlie Fletcher ably supported Holliday and Hopkins by also scoring in double-figures.[9]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
2 Preston North End (P) 42 23 6 13 71 52 1.365 52 Promotion to the First Division
3 Bolton Wanderers 42 21 9 12 79 55 1.436 51
4 Brentford 42 22 7 13 85 60 1.417 51
5 Bradford Park Avenue 42 23 3 16 86 67 1.284 49
6 Bradford City 42 20 6 16 73 67 1.090 46
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(P) Promoted

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division

No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 26 August 1933Nottingham ForestA1–1 12,702Hopkins
2 31 August 1933Bradford Park AvenueH2–0 13,667Holliday (2)
3 2 September 1933West Ham UnitedH4–1 19,918Holliday (2), Hopkins (2)
4 6 September 1933Bradford Park AvenueA2–5 11,982Hopkins, Muttitt
5 9 September 1933Plymouth ArgyleA1–1 20,945Watson
6 16 September 1933Manchester UnitedH3–4 17,180Fletcher, Holliday, Muttitt
7 23 September 1933Bolton Wanderers A2–3 9,894Fletcher, Hopkins
8 30 September 1933Hull CityH2–2 14,570Fletcher, Holliday
9 7 October 1933Burnley H5–2 14,797Hopkins (2), Holliday (2), Muttitt
10 14 October 1933Oldham AthleticA4–1 9,831James, Hopkins (2), Holliday
11 21 October 1933FulhamA1–1 35,421Holliday (pen)
12 28 October 1933SouthamptonH2–0 15,611Hopkins (2)
13 4 November 1933BlackpoolA1–3 14,229Muttitt
14 11 November 1933Bradford City H2–1 12,932Muttitt, Holliday
15 18 November 1933Port Vale A0–1 11,349
16 25 November 1933Notts CountyH2–2 12,110Holliday, Scott
17 2 December 1933Swansea Town A3–2 4,269Fletcher (2), Muttitt
18 9 December 1933MillwallH3–0 12,017Scott (2), Holliday
19 16 December 1933Lincoln CityA2–0 6,080Holliday (2, 1 pen)
20 23 December 1933Bury H2–3 12,761Muttitt, Fletcher
21 25 December 1933Preston North EndH3–2 20,662Fletcher, Hopkins (2)
22 26 December 1933Preston North EndA2–3 24,451Scott (2)
23 30 December 1933Nottingham Forest H2–1 12,795Hopkins, Scott
24 6 January 1934West Ham UnitedA2–3 24,108Muttitt, Holliday
25 20 January 1934Plymouth ArgyleH3–0 17,566Scott, Fletcher, Holliday
26 27 January 1934Manchester UnitedA3–1 16,891Muttitt (2), Fletcher
27 3 February 1934Bolton WanderersH3–1 16,037Holliday (2), Scott
28 10 February 1934Hull CityA1–0 10,566Hopkins
29 17 February 1934BurnleyA1–3 11,666Holliday
30 24 February 1934Oldham AthleticH2–1 15,927Scott, Muttitt
31 3 March 1934FulhamH1–2 25,184Holliday (pen)
32 10 March 1934SouthamptonA0–0 10,349
33 17 March 1934Blackpool H1–0 16,461Hopkins
34 24 March 1934Bradford CityA1–2 12,394Hopkins
35 30 March 1934Grimsby TownA2–2 23,233Hopkins, Holliday
36 31 March 1934Port ValeH2–0 19,758Holliday, Scott
37 2 April 1934Grimsby TownH1–2 26,934Holliday
38 7 April 1934Notts CountyA2–1 11,657Allen, Hopkins
39 14 April 1934Swansea TownH2–0 14,848Hopkins, Muttitt
40 21 April 1934MillwallA0–2 21,671
41 28 April 1934Lincoln CityH5–0 12,184Scott, Holliday (3), Hopkins
42 5 May 1934Bury A2–1 9,461Fletcher, Scott

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenue AttendanceResult
3R13 January 1934Hull City A 18,0000–1

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1933–34 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Tom Baker England 17 August 1905 (aged 28) Southport 1932
GK Jack Clough England 4 November 1898 (aged 34) Mansfield Town 1933
Defenders
DF Tom Adamson Scotland 12 February 1901 (aged 32) Bury 1929
DF Jack Astley England 3 December 1909 (aged 23) Southport 1933
DF Arthur Bateman England 1 April 1908 (aged 25) Southend United 1934
DF William Hodge Scotland 31 August 1904 (aged 28) Rangers 1927
DF Alexander Stevenson Scotland 24 October 1903 (aged 29) Armadale 1927
Midfielders
HB Jimmy Bain Scotland 6 February 1899 (aged 34) Manchester Central 1928
HB Jackie Burns England 27 November 1906 (aged 26) Queens Park Rangers 1931 Amateur
HB Joe James England 13 January 1910 (aged 23) Battersea Church 1929
HB Joe McClure England 3 November 1907 (aged 25) Everton 1933
HB Duncan McKenzie Scotland 10 August 1912 (aged 21) Albion Rovers 1932
HB Cecil Smith England 16 June 1907 (aged 26) Brentford Market 1931
HB Herbert Watson (c) England 20 November 1908 (aged 24) Middlesbrough 1932
Forwards
FW Ralph Allen England 30 June 1906 (aged 27) Fulham 1930
FW Charlie Fletcher England 28 October 1905 (aged 27) Clapton Orient 1933
FW Jack Holliday England 19 December 1908 (aged 24) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Idris Hopkins Wales 11 October 1910 (aged 22) Crystal Palace 1932
FW Ernest Muttitt England 24 July 1908 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
FW George Robson England 17 June 1908 (aged 25) West Ham United 1931
FW Billy Scott England 6 December 1907 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
Players who left the club mid-season
HB William Smith England 22 October 1903 (aged 29) Sheffield Wednesday 1933 Transferred to Crystal Palace
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[9] Timeless Bees,[11] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[12]

Coaching staff

Name Role
England Harry Curtis Manager
England Bob Kane Trainer
England Jack Cartmell Assistant Trainer
England Fred Keatch Secretary

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 Tom Baker 22 0 0 0 22 0
GK England Jack Clough 20 0 1 0 21 0
DF ScotlandTom Adamson 800 080
DF England Jack Astley 40 0 1 0 41 0
DF England Arthur Bateman 18 0 — 18 0
DF ScotlandWilliam Hodge 1501 0 160
DF Scotland Alexander Stevenson 3 0 0 0 3 0
HB ScotlandJimmy Bain 800 080
HB EnglandJackie Burns 3501 0360
HB England Joe James 34 1 1 0 35 1
HB England Joe McClure 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Scotland Duncan McKenzie 11 0 1 0 12 0
HB EnglandCecil Smith 100010
HB England William Smith 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB England Herbert Watson 35 0 1 0 36 0
FW England Ralph Allen 1 1 0 0 1 1
FW England Charlie Fletcher 42 10 1 0 43 10
FW EnglandJack Holliday 41271 0 4227
FW Wales Idris Hopkins 42 21 1 0 43 21
FW England Ernest Muttitt 39 12 1 0 40 12
FW England George Robson 4 0 0 0 4 0
FW England Billy Scott 41 12 1 0 42 12
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[9]

Goalscorers

Pos. Nat Player FL2 FAC Total
FW England Jack Holliday 27 0 27
FW Wales Idris Hopkins 21 0 21
FW England Ernest Muttitt 12 0 12
FW England Billy Scott 12 0 12
FW England Charlie Fletcher 10 0 10
FW England Ralph Allen 1 0 1
HB England Joe James 1 0 1
Total85085
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[9]

Amateur international caps

Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW England Jackie Burns 3 1 [13]

Management

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis England 26 August 1933 5 May 1933 43 22 7 14 051.16|42 22 7 13 052.38

Summary

Games played43 (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Games won22 (22 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn7 (7 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost14 (13 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored85 (85 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded61 (60 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets11 (11 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win5–0 versus Lincoln City, 28 April 1934
Worst league defeat5–2 versus Bradford Park Avenue, 6 September 1933
Most appearances43, Charlie Fletcher, Idris Hopkins (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)27, Jack Holliday
Top scorer (all competitions)27, Jack Holliday

Transfers & loans

Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
June 1933 DF England Jack Astley England Southport Free [14]
June 1933 GK England Jack Clough England Mansfield Town £100 [15]
June 1933 HB England Joe McClure England Everton Free [16]
17 August 1933 FW England Charlie Fletcher England Clapton Orient Part-exchange [17]
1933 FW Maurice Batchelor England Gillingham Amateur [1]
1933 FW Scotland Peter Clarke Scotland Edinburgh University Amateur [17]
1933 FW R. E. Gibbons England Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [1]
1933 FW England George Goddard England Queens Park Rangers n/a [18]
1933 FW England Bob Mortimer England Northampton Town n/a [1]
1933 FW England William Smith England Sheffield Wednesday Free [19]
January 1934 DF England Arthur Bateman England Southend United n/a [5]
March 1934 DF England Walter Metcalf England Sunderland n/a [20]
April 1934 HB England James Raven England Folkestone Amateur [21]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
17 August 1933 HB England Teddy Ware England Clapton Orient Part-exchange [17]
27 October 1933FWEngland William SmithEngland Crystal Palacen/a[22]
1933 FW England George Goddard England Wolverhampton Wanderers n/a [18]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
September 1933 FW Maurice Batchelor England Hounslow Town Amateur [23]
May 1934 DF Scotland Tom Adamson England Stockport County 1934 [24]
May 1934 HB Scotland Jimmy Bain Retired [25]
May 1934 GK England Tom Baker England Northampton Town 1934 [26]
May 1934 GK England Jack Clough England Rotherham United May 1934 [15]
May 1934 DF England Jack French England Tunbridge Wells Rangers n/a [27]
May 1934 HB England Joe McClure England Exeter City 1934 [28]
May 1934 FW England Bob Mortimer England Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 1934 [29]
May 1934 FW Scotland Alexander Stevenson England Southend United 1934 [30]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The "Bees'" Triumph – Deficit at End of a Record Year – Looking Ahead". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 30 June 1933.
  2. ↑ White 1989, p. 140-141.
  3. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 58.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Brentford results for the 1933–1934 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 17.
  6. ↑ "Brentford Table on Saturday 28th April 1934". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "All of the results on Saturday 5th May 1934". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Brentford League Table 1933-1934". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 372. ISBN 0951526200.
  10. ↑ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. p. 62. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  11. ↑ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  12. ↑ Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  13. ↑ "England Matches – The Amateurs 1906–1939". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "Brentford's Capture. Young Southport Full Back Comes to Griffin Park. Jack Astley". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 2 June 1933.
  15. 1 2 "Clough Jack Middlesbrough 1923". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "Brentford's Capture. Noted Centre-half Comes to Griffin Park". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 9 June 1933.
  17. 1 2 3 Argus (18 August 1933). "Brentford – New Players Who Will Strengthen The Team". The Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  18. 1 2 Joyce 2012, p. 112.
  19. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 150.
  20. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 108.
  21. ↑ "Q and R". The Bristol Rovers History Group. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  22. ↑ "William Smith". Holmesdale Online. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  23. ↑ "Hounslow Town's New Centre – Capture From Brentford F.C.". Middlesex Chronicle. 2 September 1933.
  24. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 8.
  25. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 14-15.
  26. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 15.
  27. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45-46.
  28. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 103.
  29. ↑ Joyce 2012, p. 211.
  30. ↑ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 154-155.
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