Wikipedia

1962–63 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1962–63 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Fourth Division for the first time in the club's history. 67 goals from former international forwards John Dick, Billy McAdams and Johnny Brooks helped fire the Bees to the division title and an immediate return to the Third Division.

Brentford
1962–63 season
ChairmanJack Dunnett
ManagerMalky MacDonald
StadiumGriffin Park
Fourth Division1st (promoted)
FA CupFirst round
League CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Dick (23)
All: Dick (24)
Highest home attendance15,820
Lowest home attendance6,800
Average home league attendance11,418

Season summary edit

 
Wing half Matt Crowe transferred to Brentford for a £5,000 fee in July 1962.[1]

After suffering relegation for the Fourth Division at the end of the 1961–62 season, Brentford was at one of the lowest points in its history.[2] The relegation completed a 15-year fall from the First Division to the bottom tier and the average attendance at Griffin Park had fallen by 18,000 in that time.[2] Chairman Jack Dunnett pledged that he and his directors would invest money in the first team squad, which had been ravaged by a mass clearout over the previous year (in a bid to cut costs amidst the abolition of the maximum wage).[2] Club legend George Francis was sold to Gillingham for a £4,000 fee, ending a six-year Brentford career in which he scored 136 goals in 280 matches.[3] Funds were made available to manager Malky MacDonald and he spent £5,000 on Norwich City wing half Matt Crowe and £10,000 on Leeds United's former Northern Ireland centre forward Billy McAdams.[2] Tommy Cavanagh was appointed as trainer to replace the departed Fred Monk.[2]

Three wins and four defeats from the opening seven matches led to the chequebook opening again, with the £17,500 purchase of West Ham United's experienced inside left John Dick breaking Brentford's incoming transfer record.[2] The transfer meant the Fourth Division Bees could field a forward line of former international players – Dick (Scotland), McAdams (Northern Ireland) and Brooks (England).[2] The team showed excellent form between September 1962 and the end of the year, rising from mid-table to 2nd place.[4] John Dick had as yet failed to live up to his status, but Billy McAdams ended the year on 15 goals and Johnny Brooks on 12.[2]

The football calendar was frozen out between late December 1962 and February 1963, but when league play got back underway, Brentford solidified their position in the promotion places.[4] Another £18,500 was spent on new signings John Fielding and Mel Scott in March.[2] John Dick came into form in mid-March and supported by McAdams and Brooks,[5] his 15 goals in the final 17 matches helped fire Brentford to the Fourth Division title.[2] The title win made Brentford the first club to win each of the Second, Third and Fourth Division championships.[2]

Three records were set or equalled during the season:

  • Most points in a league season: 62 (two points for a win)[6]
  • Most league goals scored in a season: 98[7]
  • Most consecutive league appearances: 168 – Gerry Cakebread (1 November 1958 – 18 August 1963)[8]

League table edit

Main article: 1962–63 Football League Fourth Division

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Brentford 46 27 8 11 98 64 1.531 62 Division Champions, promoted
2 Oldham Athletic 46 24 11 11 95 60 1.583 59 Promoted
3 Crewe Alexandra 46 24 11 11 86 58 1.483 59
4 Mansfield Town 46 24 9 13 108 69 1.565 57
5 Gillingham 46 22 13 11 71 49 1.449 57
Source: rsssf.com

Results edit

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend edit

Win Draw Loss

Football League Fourth Division edit

No. Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1 18 August 1962 Doncaster Rovers A 2–0 8,247 McAdams (2)
2 21 August 1962 Gillingham H 1–2 11,914 Edgley
3 25 August 1962 Mansfield Town H 1–3 8,340 McAdams
4 29 August 1962 Gillingham A 4–1 8,832 Brooks (3), Block
5 1 September 1962 Workington A 1–3 3,373 Summers
6 8 September 1962 Exeter City H 3–1 11,153 McAdams, Dick, Hughes (og)
7 12 September 1962 Crewe Alexandra A 0–3 6,673
8 15 September 1962 Chesterfield A 1–1 6,114 McAdams
9 18 September 1962 Stockport County H 2–1 10,146 Dick, McAdams
10 22 September 1962 Rochdale H 1–0 10,753 McLeod
11 29 September 1962 Barrow H 2–1 9,541 Dick (2)
12 2 October 1962 Hartlepools United H 4–0 10,729 Dick (2), McAdams, Block
13 6 October 1962 Darlington A 3–1 4,683 Brooks (2, 1 pen), Block
14 13 October 1962 Southport H 3–3 11,651 McAdams, Brooks (2, 1 pen)
15 20 October 1962 Aldershot A 0–0 8,609
16 27 October 1962 Newport County H 3–1 11,312 McAdams (2), Block
17 10 November 1962 Bradford City H 5–2 8,396 McAdams (3), McLeod, Brooks (pen)
18 24 November 1962 Stockport County A 1–2 3,337 Block
19 1 December 1962 Lincoln City A 3–1 5,470 Brooks, Summers, McAdams
20 8 December 1962 Oldham Athletic H 2–1 12,144 Anthony, Brooks
21 15 December 1962 Doncaster Rovers H 1–0 9,589 Meadows (og)
22 22 December 1962 Mansfield Town A 2–1 9,468 Brooks (2)
23 26 December 1962 Chester H 2–1 9,724 Dick, McAdams
24 16 February 1963 Barrow A 1–1 4,187 Summers
25 23 February 1963 Darlington H 1–3 9,272 Dick
26 2 March 1963 Southport A 0–1 3,136
27 4 March 1963 Tranmere Rovers A 2–1 8,226 Summers (2)
28 9 March 1963 Aldershot H 4–2 8,390 Brooks (2, 1 pen), Henry (og), McAdams
29 12 March 1963 Torquay United H 2–2 13,084 Block, Brooks
30 16 March 1963 Newport County A 4–1 2,891 McAdams, Dick (2), Brooks (pen)
31 20 March 1963 Rochdale A 5–3 5,680 Dick (3), McAdams, Brooks
32 23 March 1963 Oxford United H 4–0 13,756 Block, Higginson, McAdams (2)
33 29 March 1963 Torquay United A 1–1 5,570 McAdams
34 3 April 1963 Chester A 2–1 5,991 Dick (2)
35 6 April 1963 Tranmere Rovers H 4–0 13,383 McLeod (2), Dick, Brooks (pen)
36 12 April 1963 York City A 1–1 7,757 Brooks (pen)
37 13 April 1963 Bradford City A 1–2 3,070 Dick
38 15 April 1963 York City H 2–1 15,070 Dick (2)
39 20 April 1963 Lincoln City H 3–2 11,384 Dick, Block, McAdams
40 22 April 1963 Hartlepools United A 1–2 3,755 Dick
41 27 April 1963 Oldham Athletic A 1–2 17,771 Brooks
42 30 April 1963 Crewe Alexandra H 3–1 15,820 Brooks (pen), Dick
42 4 May 1963 Chesterfield H 2–1 13,903 Dick, Fielding
44 11 May 1963 Oxford United A 1–2 11,247 Summers
45 18 May 1963 Exeter City A 2–2 3,600 Hales, Scott
46 23 May 1963 Workington H 4–3 13,158 Fielding (2), Hales, Brown (og)

FA Cup edit

Main article: 1962–63 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance
1R 3 November 1962 Aldershot A 0–1 12,200

Football League Cup edit

Main article: 1962–63 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 4 September 1962 Wrexham H 3–0 6,800 Summers, McAdams, Edgley
2R 26 September 1962 Sheffield United H 1–4 13,850 Dick

Playing squad edit

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1962–63 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread   (1936-04-01)1 April 1936 (aged 26) Youth 1954
GK Fred Ryecraft   (1939-08-28)28 August 1939 (aged 22) Southall 1959
Defenders
DF Tom Anthony   (1943-08-16)16 August 1943 (aged 19) Youth 1961
DF Ken Coote (c)   (1928-05-19)19 May 1928 (aged 34) Wembley 1949
DF Jimmy Gitsham   (1942-05-12)12 May 1942 (aged 20) Youth 1959
DF Alan Hawley   (1946-06-07)7 June 1946 (aged 16) Youth 1962
Midfielders
HB Matt Crowe   (1932-07-04)4 July 1932 (aged 30) Norwich City 1962
HB Ian Dargie   (1931-10-03)3 October 1931 (aged 30) Tonbridge 1952
HB Peter Gelson   (1941-10-18)18 October 1941 (aged 20) Youth 1961
HB Tommy Higginson   (1937-01-06)6 January 1937 (aged 25) Kilmarnock 1959
HB Mel Scott   (1939-09-26)26 September 1939 (aged 22) Chelsea 1963
Forwards
FW Micky Block   (1940-01-28)28 January 1940 (aged 22) Chelsea 1962
FW Johnny Brooks   (1931-12-23)23 December 1931 (aged 30) Chelsea 1961
FW John Dick   (1930-03-19)19 March 1930 (aged 32) West Ham United 1962
FW John Fielding   (1939-09-02)2 September 1939 (aged 22) Southport 1963
FW Johnny Hales   (1940-05-15)15 May 1940 (aged 22) St Roch's 1958
FW Billy McAdams   (1934-01-20)20 January 1934 (aged 28) Leeds United 1962
FW George McLeod   (1932-11-30)30 November 1932 (aged 29) Luton Town 1958
FW George Summers   (1941-07-30)30 July 1941 (aged 21) Shawfield 1959
Players who left the club mid-season
FW Brian Edgley   (1937-08-26)26 August 1937 (aged 24) Cardiff City 1961 Transferred to Barnsley
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[5] Timeless Bees[9]

Coaching staff edit

Name Role
  Malky MacDonald Manager
  Tommy Cavanagh Trainer

Statistics edit

Appearances and goals edit

Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK   Gerry Cakebread 28 0 1 0 2 0 31 0
GK   Fred Ryecraft 18 0 0 0 0 0 18 0
DF   Tom Anthony 33 1 1 0 1 0 35 1
DF   Ken Coote 46 0 1 0 2 0 49 0
DF   Jimmy Gitsham 16 0 0 0 2 0 18 0
DF   Alan Hawley 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
HB   Matt Crowe 39 0 1 0 2 0 42 0
HB   Ian Dargie 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
HB   Peter Gelson 29 0 1 0 1 0 31 0
HB   Tommy Higginson 46 1 1 0 2 0 49 1
HB   Mel Scott 17 1 — — 17 1
FW   Micky Block 42 8 1 0 2 0 45 8
FW   Johnny Brooks 39 22 1 0 1 0 41 22
FW   John Dick 38 23 1 0 1 1 40 24
FW   Brian Edgley 4 1 — 1 1 5 2
FW   John Fielding 7 3 — — 7 3
FW   Johnny Hales 4 2 0 0 0 0 4 2
FW   Billy McAdams 34 22 1 0 2 1 37 23
FW   George McLeod 46 4 1 0 2 0 49 4
FW   George Summers 15 6 0 0 1 1 16 7
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[5]

Goalscorers edit

Pos. Nat Player FL4 FAC FLC Total
FW   John Dick 23 0 1 24
FW   Billy McAdams 22 0 1 23
FW   Johnny Brooks 22 0 0 22
FW   Micky Block 8 0 0 8
FW   George Summers 6 0 1 7
FW   George McLeod 4 0 0 4
FW   John Fielding 3 — — 3
FW   Johnny Hales 2 0 0 2
FW   Brian Edgley 1 — 1 2
HB   Mel Scott 1 — — 1
DF   Tom Anthony 1 0 0 1
HB   Tommy Higginson 1 0 0 1
Opponents 4 0 0 4
Total 98 0 4 102
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[5]

Management edit

Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
P W D L W % P W D L W %
Malky MacDonald   18 August 1962 23 May 1963 49 28 8 13 057.14 46 27 8 11 058.70

Summary edit

Games played 49 (46 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games won 28 (27 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Games drawn 8 (8 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup)
Games lost 13 (11 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored 102 (98 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Goals conceded 69 (64 Fourth Division, 1 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Clean sheets 8 (7 Fourth Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Biggest league win 4–0 on three occasions
Worst league defeat 3–0 versus Crewe Alexandra, 12 September 1962
Most appearances 49, Ken Coote, Tommy Higginson, George McLeod (46 Fourth Division, 2 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Top scorer (league) 23, John Dick
Top scorer (all competitions) 24, John Dick

Transfers & loans edit

Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
June 1962 DF   Alan Hawley n/a n/a [10]
July 1962 HB   Matt Crowe   Norwich City £5,000 [1]
July 1962 FW   Billy McAdams   Leeds United £10,000 [11]
September 1962 FW   John Dick   West Ham United £17,500 [12]
26 March 1963 FW   John Fielding   Southport £7,000 [13]
March 1963 HB   Mel Scott   Chelsea £12,500 [14]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
9 June 1962 FW   Dick Lowrie   Morton n/a [15]
August 1962 FW   George Francis   Gillingham £4,000 [3]
1 September 1962 FW   Danny O'Donnell   Brechin City n/a [15]
November 1962 FW   Brian Edgley   Barnsley n/a [16]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1963 HB   Ian Dargie   Yiewsley 1963 [17]
May 1963 DF   Jimmy Gitsham   Romford 1963 [18]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 43.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k White 1989, p. 246-249.
  3. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 186-188.
  4. ^ a b "Brentford results for the 1962–1963 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d e White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 387. ISBN 0951526200.
  6. ^ Wickham, Chris. "Brentford FC 2013/14 squad break a string of Club Records". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  7. ^ Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. p. 63. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  8. ^ Haynes 1998, p. 10.
  9. ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  10. ^ Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. pp. 254–255. ISBN 978-1906796709.
  11. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 102.
  12. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 47-48.
  13. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 56.
  14. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 142.
  15. ^ a b "Player's Transfers – 1962". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  16. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 52.
  17. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 45.
  18. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 65.
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