During the 1958–59 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division. Despite 32 goals from Jim Towers and 22 from George Francis, a number of defeats to low-placed clubs early in the season prevented the Bees from finishing higher than 3rd, one place away from promotion.
After narrowly missing out on promotion in 1957–58, Brentford entered the 1958–59 Third Division season full of confidence.[1] Despite making a profit of £6,789 on the previous season (equivalent to £200,300 in 2024), manager Malky MacDonald decided not to add to his squad and instead planned for the future by bringing in a number of Scottish youngsters.[1][2] Brentford began the season with a resounding 4–0 victory over Bradford City, hitting top spot, but dropped back after three consecutive defeats.[3] By the time the Bees drew 1–1 with Chesterfield on 4 October 1958, the team's inconsistency could be clearly pointed to a lack of support for forwardsJim Towers and George Francis, who had scored 13 of the team's 17 goals by that point of the season.[1] In response, manager MacDonald paid £6,000 for Luton Town's outside leftGeorge McLeod.[1] After defeats to Stockport County and Reading in late October, the team recovered and began to perform on a consistent basis.[3]
Brentford had a morale-boosting run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, eliminating Exeter City, King's Lynn and Barnsley on the way to a 2–0 defeat to First Division club West Bromwich Albion in front of 41,440 at The Hawthorns.[3] A 6–0 win over Southampton at The Dell on 9 March 1959 (which set a new club record for biggest away Football League win) established the Bees as promotion contenders.[4] Three victories and two draws from the following five matches (which included a win and a draw versus leaders Plymouth Argyle) saw Brentford increase their grip on 3rd place in the table,[3] though at a cost to season-ending injuries to Ian Dargie and Len Newcombe.[1] Defeats in crucial matches versus fellow promotion challengers Norwich City and Hull City in early April effectively ended the Bees' promotion charge and all hope of promotion mathematically ended with two matches left to play.[3][5] Brentford finished the season in 3rd place.[3]
Jim Towers' 37 goals scored in all competitions during the season was just two goals shy of Jack Holliday's club record of 39, set in the Third Division South in 1932–33.[1] Towers' strike partner George Francis also finished amongst the top scorers in the Third Division, with 22 goals and 24 in all competitions.[6] Brentford finished the 1958–59 season with the best defensive record in the Third Division, conceding only 49 goals and also conceding the fewest away goals (27).[5] A new club record for most league away draws (10) was set during the season and the club record for fewest goalscorers in a season was equalled.[7][8] The 20 players used in all competitions was the lowest since the end of the Second World War and three players finishing the season as ever-presents in all 50 matches was another post-war record.[9]
1958, brentford, season, during, 1958, english, football, season, brentford, competed, football, league, third, division, despite, goals, from, towers, from, george, francis, number, defeats, placed, clubs, early, season, prevented, bees, from, finishing, high. During the 1958 59 English football season Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division Despite 32 goals from Jim Towers and 22 from George Francis a number of defeats to low placed clubs early in the season prevented the Bees from finishing higher than 3rd one place away from promotion Brentford1958 59 seasonChairmanFrank DavisManagerMalky MacDonaldStadiumGriffin ParkThird Division3rdFA CupFourth roundTop goalscorerLeague Towers 32 All Towers 37 Highest home attendance28 725Lowest home attendance9 432Average home league attendance13 924Home colours 1957 581959 60 Contents 1 Season summary 2 League table 3 Results 3 1 Legend 3 2 Football League Third Division 3 3 FA Cup 4 Playing squad 5 Coaching staff 6 Statistics 6 1 Appearances and goals 6 2 Goalscorers 6 3 Management 6 4 Summary 7 Transfers amp loans 8 Notes 9 ReferencesSeason summary editAfter narrowly missing out on promotion in 1957 58 Brentford entered the 1958 59 Third Division season full of confidence 1 Despite making a profit of 6 789 on the previous season equivalent to 200 300 in 2024 manager Malky MacDonald decided not to add to his squad and instead planned for the future by bringing in a number of Scottish youngsters 1 2 Brentford began the season with a resounding 4 0 victory over Bradford City hitting top spot but dropped back after three consecutive defeats 3 By the time the Bees drew 1 1 with Chesterfield on 4 October 1958 the team s inconsistency could be clearly pointed to a lack of support for forwards Jim Towers and George Francis who had scored 13 of the team s 17 goals by that point of the season 1 In response manager MacDonald paid 6 000 for Luton Town s outside left George McLeod 1 After defeats to Stockport County and Reading in late October the team recovered and began to perform on a consistent basis 3 Brentford had a morale boosting run to the fourth round of the FA Cup eliminating Exeter City King s Lynn and Barnsley on the way to a 2 0 defeat to First Division club West Bromwich Albion in front of 41 440 at The Hawthorns 3 A 6 0 win over Southampton at The Dell on 9 March 1959 which set a new club record for biggest away Football League win established the Bees as promotion contenders 4 Three victories and two draws from the following five matches which included a win and a draw versus leaders Plymouth Argyle saw Brentford increase their grip on 3rd place in the table 3 though at a cost to season ending injuries to Ian Dargie and Len Newcombe 1 Defeats in crucial matches versus fellow promotion challengers Norwich City and Hull City in early April effectively ended the Bees promotion charge and all hope of promotion mathematically ended with two matches left to play 3 5 Brentford finished the season in 3rd place 3 Jim Towers 37 goals scored in all competitions during the season was just two goals shy of Jack Holliday s club record of 39 set in the Third Division South in 1932 33 1 Towers strike partner George Francis also finished amongst the top scorers in the Third Division with 22 goals and 24 in all competitions 6 Brentford finished the 1958 59 season with the best defensive record in the Third Division conceding only 49 goals and also conceding the fewest away goals 27 5 A new club record for most league away draws 10 was set during the season and the club record for fewest goalscorers in a season was equalled 7 8 The 20 players used in all competitions was the lowest since the end of the Second World War and three players finishing the season as ever presents in all 50 matches was another post war record 9 League table editMain article 1958 59 Football League Third Division Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation 1 Plymouth Argyle 46 23 16 7 89 59 1 508 62 Division Champions promoted 2 Hull City 46 26 9 11 90 55 1 636 61 Promoted 3 Brentford 46 21 15 10 76 49 1 551 57 4 Norwich City 46 22 13 11 89 62 1 435 57 5 Colchester United 46 21 10 15 71 67 1 060 52Source citation needed Results editBrentford s goal tally listed first Legend edit Win Draw Loss Football League Third Division edit No Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer s 1 25 August 1958 Bradford City H 4 0 15 749 Towers 2 Francis 2 2 28 August 1958 Doncaster Rovers A 0 1 10 654 3 30 August 1958 Wrexham A 1 2 16 905 Towers 4 2 September 1958 Doncaster Rovers H 0 1 14 845 5 6 September 1958 Southampton H 2 0 12 997 Francis Towers 6 9 September 1958 Mansfield Town H 2 0 13 625 Towers 2 7 12 September 1958 Accrington Stanley A 1 1 9 918 Rainford 8 15 September 1958 Mansfield Town A 1 1 9 159 Towers 9 20 September 1958 Halifax Town H 2 0 12 643 Francis Heath 10 22 September 1958 Hull City A 1 3 14 172 Heath 11 27 September 1958 Newport County A 1 0 8 220 Francis 12 30 September 1958 Hull City H 1 1 12 441 Towers 13 4 October 1958 Chesterfield H 1 1 12 473 Heath 14 9 October 1958 Notts County A 0 0 4 381 15 11 October 1958 Tranmere Rovers A 2 1 12 325 Towers Rainford 16 18 October 1958 Stockport County H 1 4 12 488 Towers 17 25 October 1958 Reading A 1 3 16 186 Towers 18 1 November 1958 Colchester United H 2 1 11 945 Towers Heath 19 8 November 1958 Bournemouth amp Boscombe Athletic A 0 0 11 564 20 22 November 1958 Queens Park Rangers A 2 1 13 784 Drinkwater og Towers 21 29 November 1958 Bury H 0 0 11 741 22 13 December 1958 Rochdale H 2 1 9 432 Towers Dargie 23 20 December 1958 Bradford City A 0 3 11 473 24 25 December 1958 Swindon Town H 2 2 12 504 McLeod Francis 25 26 December 1958 Swindon Town A 1 1 12 690 Francis 26 3 January 1959 Wrexham H 2 1 11 723 Francis 2 27 31 January 1959 Accrington Stanley H 2 1 11 260 Francis Towers 28 7 February 1959 Halifax Town A 0 0 4 654 29 14 February 1959 Newport County H 3 0 10 392 McLeod Bristow Towers 30 21 February 1959 Chesterfield A 2 1 9 649 Francis Towers pen 31 28 February 1959 Tranmere Rovers H 5 2 13 138 Towers 2 Francis Rainford 2 32 7 March 1959 Stockport County A 1 1 7 973 Towers pen 33 9 March 1959 Southampton A 6 0 7 756 McLeod Towers 4 Francis 34 14 March 1959 Reading H 3 1 18 209 Francis 2 Rainford 35 21 March 1959 Colchester United A 4 0 8 775 Francis 2 McLeod Towers 36 27 March 1959 Plymouth Argyle H 3 0 28 725 Towers Rainford Francis 37 28 March 1959 Bournemouth amp Boscombe Athletic H 1 1 15 970 McLeod 38 30 March 1959 Plymouth Argyle A 1 1 27 073 Parsons 39 4 April 1959 Norwich City A 1 4 27 870 Francis 40 8 April 1959 Southend United A 0 2 9 022 41 11 April 1959 Queens Park Rangers H 1 0 15 905 Rainford 42 18 April 1959 Bury A 1 1 7 092 Towers 43 21 April 1959 Notts County H 4 0 11 738 Francis Towers 3 2 pens 44 25 April 1959 Southend United H 6 1 11 264 Rainford Francis 2 Towers 2 Williamson og 45 27 April 1959 Rochdale A 0 0 2 191 46 30 April 1959 Norwich City H 0 4 19 035 FA Cup edit Main article 1958 59 FA Cup Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer s Notes 1R 15 November 1958 Exeter City H 3 2 14 600 Towers Francis Rainford nb 1 2R 6 December 1958 King s Lynn H 3 1 14 100 Towers 3 3R 10 January 1959 Barnsley H 2 0 16 890 Towers Francis 4R 24 January 1959 West Bromwich Albion A 0 2 41 440 Sources 100 Years Of Brentford 6 Statto 11v11Playing squad editPlayers ages are as of the opening day of the 1958 59 season Pos Name Nat Date of birth age Signed from Signed in Notes Goalkeepers GK Gerry Cakebread nbsp 1936 04 01 1 April 1936 aged 22 Youth 1954 GK Sonny Feehan nbsp 1926 09 17 17 September 1926 aged 31 Northampton Town 1954 Defenders DF Ken Horne nbsp 1926 06 25 25 June 1926 aged 32 Blackpool 1950 DF Tom Wilson c nbsp 1930 07 03 3 July 1930 aged 28 Fulham 1957 Midfielders HB George Bristow nbsp 1933 06 25 25 June 1933 aged 25 Youth 1950 HB Ken Coote nbsp 1928 05 19 19 May 1928 aged 30 Wembley 1949 HB Ian Dargie nbsp 1931 10 03 3 October 1931 aged 26 Tonbridge 1952 HB Billy Goundry nbsp 1934 03 28 28 March 1934 aged 24 Huddersfield Town 1955 HB Ron Peplow nbsp 1935 05 04 4 May 1935 aged 23 Southall 1955 HB Sid Russell nbsp 1937 10 04 4 October 1937 aged 20 Jolly X 1956 Forwards FW John Caven nbsp 1934 07 06 6 July 1934 aged 24 Kilmarnock 1957 FW George Francis nbsp 1934 02 04 4 February 1934 aged 24 Youth 1955 FW Johnny Hales nbsp 1940 05 15 15 May 1940 aged 18 St Roch s 1958 FW Dennis Heath nbsp 1934 09 28 28 September 1934 aged 23 Youth 1954 FW Billy Horn nbsp 1938 05 13 13 May 1938 aged 20 Kilmarnock 1958 Amateur FW George McLeod nbsp 1932 11 30 30 November 1932 aged 25 Luton Town 1958 FW Len Newcombe nbsp 1931 02 28 28 February 1931 aged 27 Fulham 1956 FW Eric Parsons nbsp 1923 11 09 9 November 1923 aged 34 Chelsea 1956 FW Johnny Rainford nbsp 1930 12 11 11 December 1930 aged 27 Cardiff City 1953 FW Jim Towers nbsp 1933 04 15 15 April 1933 aged 25 Youth 1954 Sources 100 Years Of Brentford 6 Timeless Bees 10 Coaching staff editName Role nbsp Malky MacDonald Manager nbsp Fred Monk Trainer nbsp Jack Holliday Assistant TrainerStatistics editAppearances and goals edit nbsp CakebreadWilson c HorneDargieBristowCooteRainfordTowersHeathMcLeodFrancisBrentford 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 nbsp Gerry Cakebread 45 0 4 0 49 0 GK nbsp Sonny Feehan 1 0 0 0 1 0 DF nbsp Ken Horne 45 0 3 0 48 0 DF nbsp Tom Wilson 46 0 4 0 50 0 HB nbsp George Bristow 37 1 4 0 41 1 HB nbsp Ken Coote 44 0 4 0 48 0 HB nbsp Ian Dargie 37 1 4 0 41 1 HB nbsp Billy Goundry 12 0 1 0 13 0 HB nbsp Ron Peplow 7 0 0 0 7 0 HB nbsp Sid Russell 2 0 0 0 2 0 FW nbsp John Caven 1 0 0 0 1 0 FW nbsp George Francis 45 22 4 2 49 24 FW nbsp Johnny Hales 1 0 0 0 1 0 FW nbsp Dennis Heath 25 4 4 0 29 4 FW nbsp Billy Horn 1 0 0 0 1 0 FW nbsp George McLeod 29 5 4 0 33 5 FW nbsp Len Newcombe 2 0 0 0 2 0 FW nbsp Eric Parsons 34 1 0 0 34 1 FW nbsp Johnny Rainford 46 8 4 1 50 9 FW nbsp Jim Towers 46 32 4 5 50 37 Players listed in italics left the club mid season Source 100 Years Of Brentford 6 Goalscorers edit Pos Nat Player FL3 FAC Total FW nbsp Jim Towers 32 5 37 FW nbsp George Francis 22 2 24 FW nbsp Johnny Rainford 8 1 9 FW nbsp George McLeod 5 0 5 FW nbsp Dennis Heath 4 0 4 HB nbsp George Bristow 1 0 1 HB nbsp Ian Dargie 1 0 1 FW nbsp Eric Parsons 1 0 1 Opponents 2 0 2 Total 76 8 84 Players listed in italics left the club mid season Source 100 Years Of Brentford 6 Management edit Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League P W D L W P W D L W Malky MacDonald nbsp 25 August 1958 30 April 1959 50 24 15 11 0 48 00 46 21 15 10 0 45 65 Summary edit Games played 50 46 Third Division 4 FA Cup Games won 24 21 Third Division 3 FA Cup Games drawn 15 15 Third Division 0 FA Cup Games lost 11 10 Third Division 1 FA Cup Goals scored 84 76 Third Division 8 FA Cup Goals conceded 54 49 Third Division 5 FA Cup Clean sheets 17 16 Third Division 1 FA Cup Biggest league win 6 0 versus Southampton 9 March 1959 Worst league defeat 4 0 versus Norwich City 30 April 1959 Most appearances 50 Johnny Rainford Tom Wilson 46 Third Division 4 FA Cup Top scorer league 32 Jim Towers Top scorer all competitions 37 Jim TowersTransfers amp loans editPlayers transferred in Date Pos Name Previous Club Fee Ref August 1958 HB nbsp Jimmy Lafferty n a n a 11 6 September 1958 HB nbsp Charlie McInally nbsp St Roch s n a 2 September 1958 FW nbsp Johnny Hales nbsp St Roch s n a 12 25 October 1958 FW nbsp Billy Horn nbsp Kilmarnock Amateur 2 October 1958 FW nbsp George McLeod nbsp Luton Town 6 000 13 1958 DF nbsp Peter Gelson n a n a 14 10 January 1959 FW nbsp George Summers nbsp Shawfield n a 15 Players transferred out Date Pos Name Subsequent club Fee Ref December 1958 HB nbsp Len Roe nbsp Yiewsley n a 16 Players released Date Pos Name Subsequent club Join date Ref May 1959 DF nbsp Alan Bassham nbsp Folkestone Town 1959 9 May 1959 FW nbsp John Caven n a n a 17 May 1959 FW nbsp Sonny Feehan nbsp Headington United 1959 18 May 1959 FW nbsp Christy Fletcher nbsp Peterborough United 1959 19 May 1959 FW nbsp Billy Horn nbsp Kilmarnock 1959 20 May 1959 DF nbsp George Lowden nbsp Hounslow Town n a 21 Notes edit Both teams wore change colours References edit a b c d e f White 1989 p 229 232 a b c 1958 Scottish Football Historical Archive Retrieved 12 August 2019 a b c d e f Brentford results for the 1958 1959 season Statto com Archived from the original on 27 November 2016 Retrieved 26 November 2016 Haynes 1998 p 17 a b Brentford Table on Saturday 25th April 1959 Statto com Archived from the original on 28 November 2016 Retrieved 27 November 2016 a b c d e White Eric ed 1989 100 Years Of Brentford Brentford FC p 385 ISBN 0951526200 Haynes Graham 1998 A Z Of Bees Brentford Encyclopedia Harefield Middlesex Yore Publications pp 78 79 ISBN 1 874427 57 7 White 1989 p 62 a b No promotion for Brentford but many records Only 20 players in the league side The Brentford amp Chiswick Times 8 May 1959 Haynes Graham Coumbe Frank 2006 Timeless Bees Brentford F C Who s Who 1920 2006 Yore Publications ISBN 978 0955294914 Scottish League appearance records L Scottish Football Historical Archive p 366 Retrieved 12 August 2019 Johnny Hales Barry Hugman s Footballers Retrieved 25 November 2016 Haynes amp Coumbe 2006 p 107 Haynes amp Coumbe 2006 p 63 64 1959 Scottish Football Historical Archive Retrieved 12 August 2019 Haynes amp Coumbe 2006 p 136 137 Haynes amp Coumbe 2006 p 35 Haynes amp Coumbe 2006 p 55 Haynes amp Coumbe 2006 p 58 Billy Horn Barry Hugman s Footballers Retrieved 25 November 2016 Haynes amp Coumbe 2006 p 98 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1958 59 Brentford F C season amp oldid 1083449585, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
