1984–85 Brentford F.C. season


During the 1984–85 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. The season is best remembered for the club's first appearance in an Football League Trophy final, which was lost 3–1 to Wigan Athletic.

Season summary

began his preparations for his first full season as Brentford manager by trimming his squad, releasing goalkeeper Paddy Roche, defenders Jim McNichol, Ian Bolton, Graham Wilkins and forward Tony Mahoney. His only significant signings were left back Jamie Murray from Cambridge United for £27,500 and centre back Steve Wignall from Colchester United for a £18,000 fee.
Manager McLintock presided over a season of transition in the Third Division, treading water in mid-table through to the end of 1984 and then dropping further in the early months of 1985, but the goals of £20,000 signing Robbie Cooke allayed any fears that the club would be sucked into a relegation battle for the second successive season. The Bees repeated the previous season's feats in the League Cup and FA Cup, reaching the second and third rounds respectively. McLintock gave teenage defenders Keith Millen and Roger Joseph their debuts late in the season and both of whom would go on to become key players for the club. Brentford finished in 13th place in the Third Division.
Brentford's 1984–85 season is chiefly remembered for the club's run to the final of the Football League Trophy. The competition had been established in the 1982–83 season as the Football League Group Cup, but by 1984–85 the tournament had gained prestige, with sponsorship from Freight Rover and Wembley Stadium was announced as the venue for the final. The Bees won six matches in a row to reach the final, scoring 17 goals and conceding just three and the final was reached after an emphatic 6–0 Southern Area Final win over Newport County at Griffin Park, in which winger Gary Roberts scored four goals in a four-minute spell either side of half time. The final versus Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium on 1 June 1985 was Brentford's first appearance at the ground since the 1942 London War Cup final, but a disappointing defensive performance led to a 3–1 defeat, with Robbie Cooke scoring what proved to be the consolation goal.
Two club records were set or equalled during the season:

Results

Legend

Pre-season

Football League Third Division

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer
1R17 November 1984Bishop's StortfordH4–03,948Alexander, Cassells
2R8 December 1984Northampton TownH2–24,449Alexander, Cassells
2R 17 December 1984Northampton TownA2–03,610Hurlock, Cassells
3R5 January 1985Oldham AthleticA1–24,163Kamara

Football League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer
1R 28 August 1984Cambridge UnitedH2–03,037G. Roberts
1R 4 September 1984Cambridge UnitedA0–1 2,347
2R 26 September 1984Leicester CityA2–47,638Alexander, Kamara
2R 9 October 1984Leicester CityH0–2 6,291

Football League Trophy

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorerNotes
SR1 6 February 1985ReadingA3–12,500Torrance, P. Roberts
SR1 26 February 1985ReadingH2–0 2,011Wignall, G. Roberts
SR219 March 1985Cambridge UnitedH1–02,003Cooke
SQF11 April 1985Swansea CityA2–01,653Booker
SSF30 April 1985BournemouthA3–24,657Cooke, Kamara
SF17 May 1985Newport CountyH6–08,214Cassells, G. Roberts
F1 June 1985Wigan AthleticN1–339,897Cooke

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Summary

Transfers & loans

Awards