1982–83 Brentford F.C. season


During the 1982–83 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The high point of a mid-table season was a run to the fourth round of the League Cup, then the furthest the club had then progressed in the competition. The 107 goals scored during the season is a club record.

Season summary

After many failed attempts, Brentford manager Fred Callaghan finally signed what would prove to be a potent strike partnership during the 1982 off-season – Francis Joseph from Wimbledon and Tony Mahoney from Fulham. Goalkeeper David McKellar's contract was terminated after a serious breach of club discipline and he was replaced by former Chelsea goalkeeper Petar Borota, though Barota would only appear in three Football League Group Cup fixtures before being in turn replaced by Paddy Roche. The defensive ranks were cleared out, with Pat Kruse, Mark Hill, Robbie Johnson, Paul Shrubb and Kevin Teer all released. Experienced former Chelsea defender Graham Wilkins arrived on a free transfer.
Brentford had a busy first half of the season, reaching the fourth round of the League Cup for the first time in club history, knocking out higher-division clubs Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City in the second and third rounds before falling to First Division club Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The Bees advanced to the second round of the FA Cup before suffering a disappointing replay defeat to Fourth Division club Swindon Town. Forward Tony Mahoney, who had up until that point scored 15 goals in 28 appearances, broke his leg in three places during the defeat.
Despite heavy scoring from forwards Francis Joseph, Tony Mahoney and winger Gary Roberts during the first half of the season, Brentford's league form was patchy and 10 defeats from 14 matches between late December 1982 and early March 1983 ultimately killed hopes of a promotion challenge. Manager Fred Callaghan signed Southampton forward Keith Cassells in a bid to replace Tony Mahoney's goals and while there was an upturn in form during the final two months of the season, Brentford could finish no higher than 9th. The Bees finished the season with the best overall and best away attacking record in the Third Division.
Four club records were set or equalled during the season:

Results

Legend

Pre-season

Football League Third Division

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorerNotes
1R20 November 1982Windsor & EtonA7–06,309Mahoney, McNichol, Joseph, Hurlock
2R11 December 1982Swindon TownA2–27,176Bowen, Roberts
2R 14 December 1982Swindon TownH1–3 7,883Roberts

Football League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer
1R 30 August 1982WimbledonA1–12,907Roberts
1R 14 September 1982WimbledonH2–0 5,747Mahoney
2R 5 October 1982Blackburn RoversH3–26,201Joseph, Hurlock, Bowles
2R 27 October 1982Blackburn RoversA0–0 4,137
3R9 November 1982Swansea CityH1–115,262Roberts
3R 17 November 1982Swansea CityA2–16,676Roberts, Mahoney
4R30 November 1982Nottingham ForestA0–216,479

Football League Group Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorerNotes
R1 14 August 1982Crystal PalaceH2–23,397Joseph, Roberts
R1 17 August 1982MillwallA0–32,105
R1 21 August 1982WimbledonA3–12,019Johnson, Roberts, Mahoney

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Summary

Transfers & loans

Awards