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{{Short description|Association football club in London, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Brentford Women FC}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Brentford
| upright = 0.8
| fullname = Brentford Football Club
| nickname = The Bees
| short name = Brentford
| founded = {{Start date and age|1889|10|10|df=yes}}
| ground = [[Brentford Community Stadium]]
| capacity = 17,250<ref>{{Cite web |title=The stadium |url=https://newstadium.brentfordfc.com/stadium |access-date=6 September 2020 |publisher=Brentford Football Club New Stadium |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419065644/https://newstadium.brentfordfc.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| owner = [[Matthew Benham]]
| chairman = Cliff Crown
| manager = [[Keith Andrews (footballer)|Keith Andrews]]
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| league = {{English football updater|Brentfor}}
| season = {{English football updater|Brentfor2}}
| position = {{English football updater|Brentfor3}}
| current = 2025–26 Brentford F.C. season
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}}
'''Brentford Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Brentford]], [[England]]. The team competes in the [[Premier League]], the top tier of [[English football league system|English football]]. Nicknamed "The Bees", the club was founded in 1889 and played home matches at [[Griffin Park]] from 1904 before moving to the [[Brentford Community Stadium]] in 2020.
Brentford initially played amateur football before they entered the [[London League (football)|London League]] in 1896 and finished as runners-up of the Second Division and then the First Division to win election into the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] in 1898. They won the Southern League Second Division in 1900–01 and were elected into the [[English Football League|Football League]] in 1920. Brentford won the [[Football League Third Division South|Third Division South]] title in 1932–33 and the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] title in 1934–35. The club enjoyed a successful spell in the top flight of English football, reaching a peak of fifth in the [[Football League First Division|First Division]], in 1935–36, their highest ever league finish, before three relegations left them in the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] by 1962. They were crowned Fourth Division champions in 1962–63, but were relegated in 1966 and again in 1973 after gaining promotion in 1971–72. Brentford spent 14 seasons in the Third Division after gaining promotion in 1977–78 and went on to win the Third Division title in 1991–92, though were relegated again in 1993.
Brentford were relegated into the fourth tier in 1998 and won promotion as champions in the 1998–99 campaign. The club were relegated in 2007 and won promotion as champions of [[EFL League Two|League Two]] in 2008–09 and then were promoted out of [[EFL League One|League One]] in 2013–14. They had unsuccessful Championship play-off campaigns in 2015 and 2020. Brentford have a poor record in finals, finishing as runners-up in three [[EFL Trophy|Associate Members' Cup/Football League Trophy]] finals ([[1985 Associate Members' Cup Final|1985]], [[2001 Football League Trophy Final|2001]] and [[2011 Football League Trophy Final|2011]]) and losing four play-off finals (the [[1997 Football League Second Division play-off final|1997 Second Division final]], [[2002 Football League Second Division play-off final|2002 Second Division final]], [[2013 Football League One play-off final|2013 League One final]] and [[2020 EFL Championship play-off final|2020 Championship final]]). However, Brentford won the [[2021 EFL Championship play-off final|2021 Championship final]] to be promoted to the highest level for the first time since the 1946–47 season. Their main rivals are fellow [[West London]]-based clubs [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] and [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]. They are affiliated with the women's club [[Brentford Women FC|Brentford Women]].
==History==
{{Main|History of Brentford F.C.}}
[[File:Brentford FC League Performance.svg|right|thumb|300px|League positions of Brentford since the 1920–21 season of the Football League.]]
===1889–1920: Formation and early years===
In 1889, the town of [[Brentford]], [[Middlesex]] was home to the Brentford [[Rowing (sport)|Rowing]] Club and [[Boston Manor Park|Boston Park]] [[Cricket]] Club.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=56-57}} Attempts to form [[Association football|football]] and [[Rugby union|rugby]] clubs in the town fell by the wayside until a new recreation ground was opened on 17 October 1889.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=56-57}} Seven days earlier, a meeting had taken place at the Oxford & Cambridge [[pub]] near [[Kew Bridge]], during which it had been endeavoured between the rowing and cricket club members to decide how best to use the recreation ground.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=56-57}} On 16 October 1889, the rowing club members again met at the Oxford & Cambridge pub and it was voted that the new club would play association football, be named "Brentford Football Club".{{Sfn|White|1989|p=56-57}}
On 26 October 1889,{{Sfn|White|1989|p=56-57}} the club staged its first practice match and on 23 November the club's first competitive match was played versus Kew, which resulted in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Match report from Brentford FC's first ever fixture |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/125-years-ago-today.........._61046 |access-date=17 August 2016 |website=brentfordfc.com}}</ref> The [[1892–93 in English football|1892–93]] season saw Brentford enter a league for the first time — the West London Alliance.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=60}}{{Sfn|White|1989|p=13}} The 1894–95 season was when Brentford first got their nickname, The Bees. A group of people from [[West London Institute of Higher Education|Borough Road College]] had come to a match to support their friend [[Joseph Gettins]] who was playing for Brentford at the time. They shouted their school chant, 'Buck up Bs!' but it was misheard by the media as 'Buck up bees!', and the name stuck.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-27 |title=Brentford |url=https://premierskillsenglish.britishcouncil.org/clubs/brentford |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=premierskillsenglish.britishcouncil.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Vince |title=THE BEES. THE HISTORY OF BRENTFORD – Part One {{!}} Read The League |url=https://readtheleague.com/if-you-know-your-history/the-bees-the-history-of-brentford-part-one |access-date=2025-03-18 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Brentford continued to largely play cup and friendly matches until 1896, when the club was elected into the Second Division of the [[London League (football)|London League]].{{Sfn|White|1989|p=67}} The Bees finished second to secure promotion to the First Division.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=67}} Brentford's London League exploits and its establishment as one of the top amateur clubs in [[London]] led to the club's election into the Second Division (London section) of the Southern League for the [[1898–99 Brentford F.C. season|1898–99]] season.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=71–72}} The club became a professional outfit in the [[1899–1900 Brentford F.C. season|1899–1900]] season{{Sfn|White|1989|p=73–74}} and won a place in the top-flight in July 1901 after [[Gravesend United F.C.|Gravesend United]] dropped out of the Southern League.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=75–76}}
Brentford moved to [[Griffin Park]], its first permanent home, in time for the beginning of the [[1904–05 Brentford F.C. season|1904–05]] season.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=65–66}} The Bees reached the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in [[1905–06 Brentford F.C. season|1905–06]], advancing to the third round before succumbing to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]].{{Sfn|White|1989|p=357–360}} Despite an initial upturn in form, 9 defeats in the final 11 matches of [[1912–13 Brentford F.C. season|1912–13]] led to Brentford's relegation after an 11-season stay in the First Division.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=362}}
In July 1915, the Southern League cancelled its competition for the duration of the [[First World War]].{{Sfn|White|1989|p=104–110}} Brentford competed in the [[London Combination]] during the War.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=363–364}} The squad was decimated by the call-up of players for service or war work.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=363–364}} Brentford won the London Combination title in 1918–19, four points ahead of nearest challengers [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].{{Sfn|White|1989|p=104–110}} Brentford turned down the opportunity to apply for election to the Football League for the [[1919–20 Brentford F.C. season|1919–20]] season and instead applied for election to the First Division of the Southern League, which was awarded, finishing 15th.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=112}}
===1920–1954: Establishment in the Football League and glory years===
In May 1920, Brentford and 20 other Southern League First Division clubs were elected into the Football League as founder members of the Third Division for the [[1920–21 Brentford F.C. season|1920–21]] season.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=113-114}} 11 new players were signed and the Bees' first-ever Football League match took place on 28 August 1920 at [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]]'s [[St James Park (Exeter)|St James Park]],{{Sfn|White|1989|p=113–114}} which resulted in a 3–0 defeat.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=55}} Despite 18 goals from [[Harry King (footballer)|Harry King]], a lack of goals from elsewhere in the side led Brentford to a 21st-place finish,{{Sfn|White|1989|p=366}} but the club were [[Re-election (Football League)|re-elected]] into the league without going to a poll.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=113–114}}
[[File:Harry Curtis, football manager, 1926.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Harry Curtis (football manager)|Harry Curtis]], known as "The Guv'nor", Brentford's longest-serving and most successful manager.]]
It was all change at Griffin Park during the 1926 off-season, with former [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] boss [[Harry Curtis (football manager)|Harry Curtis]] being installed as manager.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=121–128}} Just 9 members of the previous season's squad were retained, but despite mid-table finishes over the following three seasons,{{Sfn|White|1989|p=121–128}} Curtis slowly rebuilt the squad. The [[1929–30 Brentford F.C. season|1929–30]] [[Football League Third Division South|Third Division South]] season provided the foundation for the Bees' future success, however, the club missed out on promotion to [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]].<ref name="Chapman">{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Mark |title=Remembering The Guvnor: Harry Curtis |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/remembering-the-guvnor-harry-curtis_64110 |access-date=20 August 2016 |website=brentfordfc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford League Table 1929–1930 |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1929-1930/table |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113144049/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1929-1930/table |archive-date=13 November 2016 |access-date=20 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> The Bees romped to the [[1932–33 Brentford F.C. season|1932–33]] Third Division South title, with [[Jack Holliday]] scoring a club-record 39 goals.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=136–138}}
After topping the table for the third time in the [[1934–35 Brentford F.C. season|1934–35]] season on 2 March 1935,{{Sfn|White|1989|p=142–145}} the Bees would not again relinquish top spot, cruising to the title and promotion to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] for the first time in the club's history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 1934–1935 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1934-1935/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829162012/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1934-1935/results |archive-date=29 August 2016 |access-date=20 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> Brentford also completed a unique double by winning the [[London Challenge Cup]].{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=82–83}} After having risen from the third-tier to the first in the space of just three seasons, manager Harry Curtis elected to keep his squad intact for the [[1935–36 Brentford F.C. season|1935–36]] First Division season.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=146–151}} An extension to the New Road terrace increased Griffin Park's capacity to 4,000, which would generate extra income.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=146–151}} After 15 matches, Brentford looked certain to be relegated, however, the club completed a remarkable turnaround, with the Bees losing just two of the final 23 matches and finishing in the club's all-time-highest position of 5th.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 1935–1936 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1935-1936/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827175314/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1935-1936/results |archive-date=27 August 2016 |access-date=20 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> Brentford again performed above expectations during the [[1936–37 Brentford F.C. season|1936–37]] and [[1937–38 Brentford F.C. season|1937–38]] seasons, finishing 6th in each campaign and reaching the FA Cup sixth round for the first time in the latter.<ref name="FCHD" /> The club reached its zenith between October 1937 and February 1938, holding onto top spot in the First Division for 17 consecutive matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 1937–1938 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1937-1938/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814052457/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1937-1938/results |archive-date=14 August 2016 |access-date=20 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref>
The [[1938–39 Brentford F.C. season|1938–39]] season was the beginning of the end of Brentford's peak; narrowly avoiding relegation.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=162–165}} The [[1939–40 Brentford F.C. season|1939–40]] season lasted just three matches before [[World War II#War breaks out in Europe (1939–40)|World War Two]] brought about the suspension of competitive football.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=166–178}} Brentford competed in the [[Football League South]] and the London War League during the war years, with much of the team supplemented by guests and young amateurs, though the core of the pre-war team continued to play in the majority of the club's matches.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=166–178}} On 30 May 1942, the Bees earned a 2–0 victory over [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] in the [[London War Cup]] final at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=83–84}}
Brentford's [[1946–47 Brentford F.C. season|1946–47]] squad, for the first competitive season after the Second World War, was propped up by the ageing core of the 1939–40 pre-war squad which would lead to the Bees' relegation from the First Division.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=179–184}} After narrowly avoiding a second successive relegation in [[1947–48 Brentford F.C. season|1947–48]], manager Harry Curtis announced that the [[1948–49 Brentford F.C. season|1948–49]] season would be his last in the job after nearly 23 years.<ref name="Chapman" />{{Sfn|White|1989|p=190–194}} The season ended with a poor 18th-place finish,{{Sfn|White|1989|p=190–194}} though notably the FA Cup sixth round fixture at home to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] set a new club-record attendance of 38,678.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=13–16}} In [[1953–54 Brentford F.C. season|1953–54]] Brentford's relegation to the Third Division South was confirmed on the final day of the season after a 3–1 defeat to Leicester City at Griffin Park.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=212–214}}
===1954–1986: Decline and financial difficulties===
Relegation to the Third Division South at the end of the 1953–54 season meant that [[1954–55 Brentford F.C. season|1954–55]] would be Brentford's first in the bottom-tier for 21 years.<ref name="Statto">{{Cite web |title=Brentford Complete History |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915044810/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/history |archive-date=15 September 2016 |access-date=24 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> After three consecutive top-six finishes,<ref name="Statto" /> the rot set in during the [[1960–61 Brentford F.C. season|1960–61]] season, with the poor form on the field mirrored by the news from the boardroom of debts of £50,000 ({{Inflation|UK|50000|1961|r=-5|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}).{{Sfn|White|1989|p=238-241}}
After the sale of several key players, the Bees finished second-from-bottom of the [[1961–62 Brentford F.C. season|1961–62]] Third Division and were relegated, starting several yo-yo years between the Third and Fourth divisions.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=229–232}} Despite winning just seven of the final 14 matches of the season, Brentford finished [[1962–63 Brentford F.C. season|1962–63]] as Fourth Division champions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 1962–1963 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1962-1963/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002222345/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1962-1963/results |archive-date=2 October 2015 |access-date=24 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> However, in [[1965–66 Brentford F.C. season|1965–66]], [[Billy Gray (footballer)|Billy Gray]] couldn't prevent relegation to the Fourth Division.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=260–262}} In December 1966, it was revealed by chairman Dunnett at Brentford's [[Annual general meeting|AGM]] that the club had lost £20,000 during the previous [[financial year]] and that he would be selling his stake in the club.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=263–266}} Earlier that month, there had been an approach from neighbours [[QPR]], suggesting that the two clubs share Griffin Park.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=123–125}} On 19 January 1967, the news broke that Dunnett and his QPR counterpart [[Jim Gregory (football chairman)|Jim Gregory]] had reached an agreement that Brentford's rivals would move into Griffin Park, Rangers' ground [[Loftus Road]] would be redeveloped as housing and Brentford, as a club, would cease to exist.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=263–266}}
After a tense month of fan protests, negotiations and donations amounting to £8,500 ({{Inflation|UK|8500|1967|r=-4|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Street |first=Tim |date=19 January 2017 |title=When Brentford were almost taken over by QPR – 50 years on |work=getwestlondon |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-were-taken-over-qpr-12475732 |access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Brentford supporters wanted for 50th anniversary documentary of failed Queens Park Rangers takeover |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/take-part-in-special-commemorative-documentary_65124 |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref> a six-man [[syndicate]] headed by former Plymouth Argyle chairman Ron Blindell took over Dunnett's shares on 23 February 1967 and guaranteed a 12-month bridging loan of £104,000.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=263–266}} The following day, Blindell, as chairman, took control of the club.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=263–266}} It transpired that QPR chairman Jim Gregory had resurrected his interest in Griffin Park and offered £250,000 for the use of the ground, a fee that would wipe out Brentford's £135,000 debt instantly, if the club moved to Hillingdon.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=266–270}} The name "Brentford Borough FC" had already been chosen for the new Hillingdon-based club, but once again Brentford was saved at the eleventh hour, with former director Walter Wheatley granting the club a £69,000 interest-free loan, repayable in 12 months.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=266–270}}
Under [[Frank Blunstone]], Brentford secured promotion back to the Third Division with two matches of the season remaining.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=284–287}} However, the Bees were relegated on the final day of the 1972–73 season.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=292–294}} After a period of consolidation, [[Bill Dodgin Jr.]] led Brentford to a 4th-place finish and promotion to the Third Division in the [[1977–78 Brentford F.C. season|1977–78]] season.{{Sfn|White|1989|p=305–308}} Brentford reached its first major competitive cup final in the [[1984–85 Brentford F.C. season|1984–85]] season, but lost 3–1 against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] in the [[1985 Football League Trophy Final|1985 Football League Trophy final]] at Wembley Stadium.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=13}} In the 1988–89 season, the Bees' reached the sixth round of the FA Cup, which ended after a 4–0 defeat to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]].<ref name="Statto8889">{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 1988–1989 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1988-1989/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129022137/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1988-1989/results |archive-date=29 November 2016 |access-date=26 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref>
===1986–2014===
In [[1991–92 Brentford F.C. season|1991–92]], six wins from the six final matches saw Brentford recover to win the Third Division championship on the final day and secure second-tier football for the first time since the 1953–54 season.<ref name="FCHD">{{Fchd|id=BRENTFOR|name=Brentford F.C.}}</ref><ref name="Statto8889"/> However, Brentford returned immediately to the third tier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 1992–1993 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1992-1993/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912191740/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/1992-1993/results |archive-date=12 September 2016 |access-date=26 August 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> In 1996–97, Brentford missed out on promotion, losing the [[1997 Football League Second Division play-off final|play-off final]] against [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]].{{Sfn|Croxford|Lane|Waterman|2013|p=226–229}} In the [[1997–98 Brentford F.C. season|1997–98]] season, Brentford were relegated to the Third Division on the final day of the season.{{Sfn|Croxford|Lane|Waterman|2013|p=235}}
In June 1998, former Crystal Palace chairman [[Ron Noades]] assumed ownership of Brentford and made wholesale changes throughout the club, installing himself as chairman-manager.{{Sfn|Croxford|Lane|Waterman|2013|p=270}} The Bees won the [[1998–99 Brentford F.C. season|1998–99]] Third Division championship on the final day, after beating [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] 1–0 in a "winner takes all" match at the [[Abbey Stadium]].{{Sfn|Croxford|Lane|Waterman|2013|p=270}} Brentford reached the [[2001 Football League Trophy final]], but were defeated 2–1 by [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 April 2001 |title=Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1289338.stm |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref> At the end of the [[2001–02 Brentford F.C. season|2001–02]] season, Brentford narrowly missed out on automatic promotion on the final day to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]. The Bees could only manage a draw in a must win match, before later losing the [[2002 Football League Second Division play-off final|2002 play-off final]], to [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], 2–0.<ref name="Reading">{{Cite web |last=Street |first=Tim |date=2 October 2014 |title=Rewind: Brentford heartache as Reading snatch promotion |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rewind-brentford-heartache-reading-snatch-7867998 |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2002 |title=Stoke seal promotion |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/1979286.stm |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref>
In the wake of the [[ITV Digital#Administration|ITV Digital collapse]], the financial restraints placed on the club by Noades left new manager [[Wally Downes]] with an inexperienced squad and [[Administration (British football)|administration]] was narrowly avoided in August 2002.<ref name="Downes">{{Cite web |date=15 March 2004 |title=Downes gets sack from troubled Brentford |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/downes-gets-sack-from-troubled-brentford-6943600.html |access-date=12 September 2016 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Administration shelved – thanks to £400,000 Powell |url=http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/6305908.Administration_shelved___thanks_to___400_000_Powell/ |access-date=4 January 2018 |website=This Is Local London |date=19 August 2002 |language=en}}</ref> Noades quit the club and handed control to supporters' trust Bees United.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Steps Down |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~365109,00.html |access-date=26 September 2018 |website=brentfordfc.co.uk |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205457/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~365109,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Brentford narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the [[2003–04 Brentford F.C. season|2003–04]] season.{{Sfn|Haynes|Coumbe|2006|p=185}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 May 2004 |title=Brentford 1–0 Bournemouth |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/3676203.stm |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref> In both [[2004–05 Brentford F.C. season|2004–05]] and [[2005–06 Brentford F.C. season|2005–06]], Brentford reached the FA Cup fifth round and the play-off semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 2006 |title=Brentford 2–1 Sunderland |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4634288.stm |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref> In 2006, Matthew Benham made his first interaction with Brentford, donating £500,000. He was anonymous and was known as the 'Mysterious Investor'.<ref name="Bus stop in Hounslow">{{Cite book |last=Waterman |first=Greville |title=Just a bus stop in Hounslow |publisher=Hawksmoor Publishing |year=2022 |isbn=978-191406616-0}}</ref> Despite a good start to the [[2006–07 Brentford F.C. season|2006–07]] season, Brentford's relegation was confirmed on 9 April 2007, eventually finishing bottom of the league.<ref name="SeekNew">{{Cite web |date=10 April 2007 |title=Bees Seek New Management Team |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~1009108,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802011220/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~1009108,00.html |archive-date=2 August 2018 |access-date=26 September 2018 |website=brentfordfc.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="FCHD" /> Despite the relegation, the club's finances had been improved after Matthew Benham paid nearly £3 million to take over some of the club's debts in January 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 January 2007 |title=Brentford fan takes on club debts |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/6286525.stm |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref>
In July 2009, Benham and Bees United made a deal under the codename 'Gecko' in which he agreed to give £1m every year for 5 years, in return for increasing his equity to 35% and have an option to become the owner of Brentford by 2014.<ref name="Bus stop in Hounslow" /> Under [[Andy Scott (footballer, born 1972)|Andy Scott]], the Bees won the League Two title after victory in the penultimate match of the [[2009–10 Brentford F.C. season|2009–10]] season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2009 |title=aHighlight |url=https://ahighlight.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040322180209/http://ahighlight.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 March 2004 |website=ahighlight.com|access-date=6 October 2023 }}</ref> [[2010–11 Brentford F.C. season|2010–11]] became memorable for Brentford's cup exploits, going on a run to the fourth round of the League Cup and reaching the [[2011 Football League Trophy final]], which was lost 1–0 to [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 2010–2011 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/2010-2011/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909145716/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/2010-2011/results |archive-date=9 September 2016 |access-date=12 September 2016 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> In June 2012, Benham fully bought the club from Bees United. However, Bees United still keep a place on the club board.<ref name="Bus stop in Hounslow" /> Brentford came within a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] of automatic promotion to the [[Football League Championship|Championship]] on the final day of the [[2012–13 Brentford F.C. season|2012–13]] season, losing 1–0 to promotion rivals [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] at Griffin Park, who only needed a draw to secure automatic promotion.<ref name="Doncaster">{{Cite news |title=Brentford 0–1 Doncaster |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22228814 |access-date=12 September 2016 }}</ref> The Bees would eventually lose to [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] in the [[2013 Football League One play-off final|play-off final]].<ref name="Yeovil">{{Cite news |date=19 May 2013 |title=Brentford 1–2 Yeovil: Bees lose League One play-off final |language=en-GB |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brentford-1-2-yeovil-bees-lose-league-one-play-off-final-8622682.html |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> Despite a poor start to the season, Mark Warburton led the Bees to automatic promotion to the Championship on April 18th 2014 confirmed by a home tie vs [[Preston North End F.C.]].<ref name="FCHD" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Mark Warburton Appointed Manager |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/mark-warburton-appointed-manager_58377 |access-date=12 September 2016 |website=brentfordfc.com}}</ref>
===2014–present: Rise to the Premier League===
[[File:Brentford Community Stadium 2020.jpg|thumb|The club moved out of [[Griffin Park]] and into the [[Brentford Community Stadium]] in August 2020.<ref name="NewHome" />]]
In their first season in the second tier since 1993, Brentford finished 5th but lost to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in the play-off semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32636569 |title=Middlesbrough 3–0 Brentford |author=Matt Newsum |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2015 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford results for the 2014–2015 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/2014-2015/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129082700/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brentford/2014-2015/results |archive-date=29 November 2016 |access-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> Under [[Dean Smith (footballer, born 1971)|Dean Smith]], Brentford became an established Championship side.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45818275 |title=Dean Smith: Aston Villa appoint new head coach with John Terry as assistant |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 October 2018 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref> Smith's successor, [[Thomas Frank (football manager)|Thomas Frank]], took Brentford to the [[2020 EFL Championship play-off final|2020 Championship play-off final]] after finishing third in the league, but lost 2–1 to West London rivals [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 August 2020 |title=Championship play-off final: Brentford 1–2 Fulham (AET) |language=en-gb |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53603848 |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref> During the 2020 off-season, the club moved out of Griffin Park (its home ground for 116 years) and into the [[Brentford Community Stadium]], a 17,250-capacity [[all-seater stadium]],<ref name="NewHome">{{Cite web |title=Brentford FC move in to new home |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/august/brentford-fc-move-in-to-new-home/ |access-date=30 September 2020 |website=brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How Far is it Between Griffin Park, London and Brentford Community Stadium |url=https://www.freemaptools.com/how-far-is-it-between-griffin-park_-london-and-brentford-community-stadium.htm |access-date=30 September 2020 |website=freemaptools.com}}</ref> as well as selling [[EFL Championship|Championship]] Player of the season [[Ollie Watkins]] to [[Aston Villa F.C.]] for £30 million, which was then a club record transfer exit. Also skilful winger and a fan favourite [[Saïd Benrahma]] moved to [[West Ham United F.C.]] on a loan with option to buy which once confirmed earned Brentford an overall of £25 million off the winger. Consequently [[2019–20 EFL League One]] Player of the Year and top goal scorer [[Ivan Toney]] was signed from [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United F.C]] to be Brentford's new talisman. Brentford repeated their third-place finish during the [[2020–21 Brentford F.C. season|2020–21]]<nowiki/>season with [[Ivan Toney]] being vital in that being the top goal scorer in the [[EFL Championship]] and then setting a new Championship record for most goals scored in a single season (31). Brentford finally broke their playoff curse losing 9 out of 9 playoff campaigns which was then a national record and went one better in the [[2021 English Football League play-offs|play-offs]] that year, securing promotion to the [[Premier League]] with a 2–0 victory over [[Swansea City F.C.|Swansea City]] in the [[2021 EFL Championship play-off final|2021 Championship play-off final]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57215919 |title=Brentford 2–0 Swansea City |author=Gareth Vincent |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2021 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>
Brentford played in the top division of [[English Football League|English football]] for the first time in 74 years.<ref name="Bus stop in Hounslow" /> Frank guided his side to 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th-placed finishes in Brentford's first four Premier League campaigns, before eventually leaving the club in June 2025 to manage [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]. [[Keith Andrews (footballer)|Keith Andrews]] was eventually announced as his successor later that month.<ref name="FCHD" />
==Current and past grounds==
* Clifden Road (1889–1891){{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=66}}
* Benn's Field (1891–1895){{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=66}}
* Shotter's Field (1895–1898){{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=66}}
* Cross Roads (1898–1900){{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=66}}
* York Road (1900–1904){{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=66}}
* [[Griffin Park]] (1904–2020)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The last night at Griffin Park |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/september/griffin-park-floodlight-gallery/ |access-date=6 September 2020 |website=brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
* [[Brentford Community Stadium|Gtech Community Stadium]] (2020–present)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford 1 Wycombe Wanderers 1 (Brentford win 4–2 on penalties) |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/september/match-report-for-brentford-vs-wycombe-wanderers-on-06-sep-20/ |access-date=6 September 2020 |website=brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
==Players==
===First team===
{{updated|17 August 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/teams/mens-team |title=Men's |publisher=Brentford F.C. |access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-17 |title=Brentford Football Club Official Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DNc1unEt0V9/ |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=IRL|pos=GK|name=[[Caoimhín Kelleher]]}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=[[Aaron Hickey]]}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Rico Henry]]}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=[[Sepp van den Berg]]}}
{{fs player|no=5|nat=JAM|pos=DF|name=[[Ethan Pinnock]]}}
{{fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jordan Henderson]]}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=GER|pos=FW|name=[[Kevin Schade]]}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=DEN|pos=MF|name=[[Mathias Jensen]]}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=[[Igor Thiago]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Josh Dasilva]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=COD|pos=FW|name=[[Yoane Wissa]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=ISL|pos=GK|name=[[Hákon Valdimarsson]]}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Matthew Cox (footballer)|Matthew Cox]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=POR|pos=MF|name=[[Fábio Carvalho (footballer, born 2002)|Fábio Carvalho]]}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=NGA|pos=MF|name=[[Frank Onyeka]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=[[Antoni Milambo]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=UKR|pos=MF|name=[[Yehor Yarmolyuk]]}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=BFA|pos=FW|name=[[Dango Ouattara]]}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=NOR|pos=DF|name=[[Kristoffer Ajer]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=IRL|pos=DF|name=[[Nathan Collins]]|other=[[captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Keane Lewis-Potter]]}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=DEN|pos=MF|name=[[Mikkel Damsgaard]]}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Myles Peart-Harris]]}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=TUR|pos=MF|name=[[Yunus Emre Konak]]}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=[[Vitaly Janelt]]}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Ellery Balcombe]]}}
{{Fs player|no=32|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Paris Maghoma]]}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=ITA|pos=DF|name=[[Michael Kayode]]}}
{{Fs player|no=39|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=[[Gustavo Nunes]]}}
{{Fs player|no=41|nat=USA|pos=GK|name=Julian Eyestone}}
{{Fs player|no=43|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Benjamin Arthur}}
{{Fs player|no=45|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Romelle Donovan]]}}
{{Fs end}}
===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Jayden Meghoma]]|other=at [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Ryan Trevitt]]|other=at [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=36|nat=KOR|pos=DF|name=[[Kim Ji-soo (footballer)|Kim Ji-soo]]|other=at [[1. FC Kaiserslautern|Kaiserslautern]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs end}}
===Brentford B===
{{Main|Brentford F.C. Reserves and Academy}}
{{updated|25 July 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=B Team Squad |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/teams/b-team |access-date=30 May 2025 |publisher=Brentford F.C.}}</ref>
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Reggie Rose}}
{{Fs player|no=37|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Michael Olakigbe]]}}
{{Fs player|no=40|nat=WAL|pos=FW|name=Iwan Morgan}}
{{Fs player|no=42|nat=IRL|pos=DF|name=[[Val Adedokun]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ZIM|pos=GK|name=[[Marley Tavaziva]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=Connor Wolfheimer}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Gregory Asemokhai}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Caelan Avenell}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Chanse Headman}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LIT|pos=DF|name=Matas Klimas}}
{{fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=IRL|pos=DF|name=Conor McManus}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ollie Shield}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Joshua Stephenson}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Andre Grey}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Theo Mawene]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Riley Owen}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Kyrie Pierre}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Isaac Holland}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=[[Ethan Laidlaw (footballer)|Ethan Laidlaw]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Michael McSorley}}
{{Fs end}}
===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{fs player|no=38|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Ethan Brierley]]|other=at [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs player|no=42|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Tony Yogane]]|other=at [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=44|nat=NGA|pos=DF|name=[[Benjamin Fredrick]]|other=at [[F.C.V. Dender E.H.|Dender]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Ben Krauhaus]]|other=at [[Bromley F.C.|Bromley]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs end}}
==Coaching staff==
{{Updated|22 August 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Staff |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/teams/all-staff |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford FC Football Staff |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/teams/football-staff/ |access-date=8 November 2017 |website=brentfordfc.com |archive-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009104415/https://www.brentfordfc.com/teams/football-staff/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford B and Academy squads, coaching staff and pre-season updates {{!}} Brentford FC |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/academy-squads-brentford-b-coaching-staff-pre-season-updates-2025-26 |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
=== First team ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name
!Role
|-
|{{flagicon|IRE}} [[Keith Andrews (footballer)|Keith Andrews]]
|Head Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|IRE}} [[Kevin O'Connor (footballer, born 1982)|Kevin O'Connor]]
|Assistant Head Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Neil MacFarlane (footballer)|Neil MacFarlane]]
|Assistant First Team Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|TUR}} Mehmet Ali
|Assistant First Team Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Martin Drury]]
|Assistant First Team Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|ESP}} Manu Sotelo
|Goalkeeping Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|IRE}} [[Stephen Rice (footballer)|Stephen Rice]]
|Set Piece Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ben Ryan (rugby union)|Ben Ryan]]
|Performance Director
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Josh Kirk
|Head of Analysis
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Luke Stopforth
|Head of Data and Technology
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Bob Oteng
|Kit Logistics Manager
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Dr. Stephen Thompson
|Head of Medical
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Nick Stubbings
|Senior Physiotherapist
|-
|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Rhys Weston]]
|Head of Football Operations
|}
=== Brentford B ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name
!Role
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Sam Saunders (footballer)|Sam Saunders]]
|Head Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Jani Viander]]
|Goalkeeper Coach
|-
|Cameron Tucker-White
|Athletic Coach
|-
|Alex Davis
|Performance Coach
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Haydee Agras
|Analyst
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Jordan Marley
|Kit Manager
|}
==Management==
{{Updated|30 January 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford FC Company Details |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/company-details/ |website=brentfordfc.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name
!Role
|-
|[[
|Owner
|-
|Cliff Crown
|Chairman
|-
|Jon Varney
|Chief Executive,<br>executive director
|-
|Lisa Skelhorn
|rowspan="2"|Club Secretary
|-
|Roger Crook
|-
|Phil Giles
|Director of Football,<br>executive director
|-
|Lee Dykes
|Technical director
|-
|Nity Raj
|General counsel,<br>executive director
|-
|Deji Davies
|rowspan="3"|Non-executive director
|-
|Stuart Hatcher
|-
|Preeti Shetty
|-
|[[
|rowspan="2"|Club Ambassador
|-
|Peter Gilham
|}
==Nickname==
Brentford's nickname is "The Bees".{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=98}} The nickname was unintentionally created by students of [[Borough Road#History of education on Borough Road|Borough Road College]] in the 1890s, when they attended a match and shouted the college's chant "buck up Bs" in support of their friend and then-Brentford player [[Joseph Gettins]].{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=98}} Local newspapers misheard the chant as "Buck up Bees" and the nickname stuck.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Ken |title=Ken Daly's alternative look at the history of Middlesbrough and Brentford who play in a Sky Bet Championship play off at Griffin Park on Friday 8 May 2015 |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2014/boro-brentford-griffin-park-sky-bet-championship-play-off-2446258.aspx |access-date=3 August 2015 |website=mfc.co.uk}}</ref>
==Colours and badge==
{{Commons|Brentford F.C. kits}}
Brentford's predominant home colours are a red and white striped shirt, black shorts and red or black socks.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=30–31}} These have been the club's predominant home colours since the [[1925–26 Brentford F.C. season|1925–26]] season, bar one season – [[1960–61 Brentford F.C. season|1960–61]] – when yellow (gold) and blue were used, unsuccessfully.<ref name="historicalkits.co.uk">{{Cite web |title=Brentford – Historical Football Kits |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Brentford/Brentford.htm |access-date=5 May 2016 |website=Historicalkits.co.uk}}</ref> The colours on entering the Football League, in [[1920–21 Brentford F.C. season|1920–21]], were white shirts, navy shorts and navy socks.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=30-31}} Away kits have varied over the years, with the current colours being a light pink shirt and socks, with purple shorts, a first for the club. It includes a button-down detail with a ribbed collar. The Brentford badge features in purple and the sleeves have a printed stripe cuff.
Brentford have had several badges on their shirts since it was formed in 1889.<ref name="Crest" /> The first one, in 1893, was a white shield, with 'BFC' in blue and a wavy line in blue, which is thought to represent the river and the rowing club, who founded the football club.<ref name="Crest" /> The next known badge, the Middlesex County Arms, was on shirts donated by a club supporter in 1909.<ref name="Crest" /> The Brentford and Chiswick arms, as a badge, was used just for the one season, in [[1938–39 Brentford F.C. season|1938–39]].<ref name="Crest" /> The next badge was in [[1971–72 Brentford F.C. season|1971–72]] when a shield, formed into quadrants, which had a hive and bees in one, 3 seaxes in another and the other two with red and white stripes.<ref name="Crest" /> In 1972, the club organised a competition to design a new crest, which was won by Mr B.G. Spencer's design, a circle with a bee and stripes and the founding date of 1888. This was introduced in 1973 and used until May 1975, when it was brought to the club's attention, via Graham Haynes, that the club was formed in 1889 and not in 1888. Therefore, a new badge, reputedly designed by [[Dan Tana]] – the club's chairman at the time – was introduced for the [[1975–76 Brentford F.C. season|1975–76]] season and continued until 1994 when the current badge was introduced.<ref name="Crest" /> In 2011 [[Russell Grant]] claimed to have designed the badge in a BBC interview;<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 November 2011 |title=Which Strictly star designed Brentford's badge? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15702533}}</ref> however, it was in fact designed in 1993 for two season tickets by supporter Andrew Henning, following a request from Keith Loring, the then chief executive.<ref name="historicalkits.co.uk" /> In 2017, the club redesigned its crest to a more modern, uncluttered, design with the flexibility for use in two tone colour print.<ref name="Crest" /> The design is a double roundel with the club name and year founded in white on a red background and a large central bee.<ref name="Crest">{{Cite news |date=10 November 2016 |title=Introducing our new club crest |work=Brentford FC |url=http://crest.brentfordfc.co.uk/ |access-date=6 October 2018}}</ref>
=== Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! Period
! Kit supplier
! Shirt sponsor (front)
!Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
!Shirt sponsor (back)
!Shorts sponsor
|-
|1975–1976
|[[Umbro]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brentford FC |title=Brentford and Umbro agree extension of partnership |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-and-umbro-agree-extension-of-partnership-589096 |website=brentfordfc.com |access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" |''None''
| rowspan="31" |''None''
| rowspan="15" |''None''
| rowspan="15" |''None''
|-
|1977–1980
|[[Bukta]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brentford Shirts |title=Football League Division Three |url=https://www.brentfordshirts.com/1978-79 |website=brentfordshirts.com |access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|1980–1981
|[[Adidas]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brentford FC |title=The 80’s Stripes: The good, the bad and the unusual |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/gallery/the-80s-stripes-the-good-the-bad-and-the-unusual-_238820?.com |website=brentfordfc.com |access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|1981–1984
| rowspan="2" |Osca<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bees United |title=The Bees Red and White story 3 |url=https://www.beesunited.org.uk/news/the-bees-red-and-white-story-3/? |website=beesunited.org |access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>
|[[DHL]]
|-
|1984–1986
| rowspan="5" |[[KLM]]
|-
|1986–1988
|Spall
|-
|1988–1990
|Hobott
|-
|1990–1992
|Chad
|-
|1992–1995
|[[Hummel International|Hummel]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Club Football Shirts |title=Brentford Football Shirt Detail History |url=https://www.clubfootballshirts.com/buy-brentford-football-shirts.html |website=clubfootballshirts.com |access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|1995–1996
|Core
| rowspan="2" |[[Ericsson]]
|-
|1996–1998
|Cobra
|-
|1998–2000
|[[Super League]]
| rowspan="3" |[[GMB (trade union)|GMB]]
|-
|2000–2002
|[[Patrick (sportswear company)|Patrick]]
|-
|2002–2003
| rowspan="3" |TFG
|-
|2003–2004
| rowspan="3" |St. George PLC
|-
|2004–2005
| rowspan="4" |UK Packaging
| rowspan="4" |UK Packaging
|-
|2005–2006
| rowspan="2" |[[Lonsdale (clothing)|Lonsdale]]
|-
|2006–2007
| rowspan="2" |[[Samvo Group]]
|-
|2007–2008
| rowspan="6" |[[Puma (brand)|Puma]]
|-
|2008–2009
| rowspan="2" |Hertings (Home) & MKT Computers (Away)
|Intermode Shipping (Home) & [[Cardiac Risk in the Young]] (Away)
|MKT Computers (Home)
|-
|2009–2010
|SPIT Tools (Home) & [[Cardiac Risk in the Young]] (Away)
|Reliable Networks
|-
|2010–2011
| rowspan="2" |Hertings (Home) & Bathwise (Away)
|Reliable Networks
|[[Thames Valley University]]
|-
|2011–2012
| rowspan="3" |''None''
|''None''
|-
|2012–2013
| rowspan="3" |SkyEx.co.uk
|Reliable Networks
|-
|2013–2014
| rowspan="5" |[[Adidas]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford FC extended Adidas deal|url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-fc-extended-adidas-deal_63617 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Brentford F.C.}}</ref>
|Reliable Networks (Home)
|-
|2014–2015
|Matchbook.com
|Matchbook.com
|-
|2015–2016
|Matchbook.com
| colspan="2" rowspan="4" |''None''
|-
|2016–2017
|[[888sport]]
|-
|2017–2019
|[[LeoVegas]]
|-
|2019–2020
| rowspan="4" |[[Umbro]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford and Umbro agree extension of partnership |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-and-umbro-agree-extension-of-partnership-589096 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Brentford F.C.|quote=Umbro, with over 95 years of existence in the sportswear industry, and Brentford, have been in partnership since the 2019/20 season and the new agreement will see the Manchester-based brand produce The Bees kits until the end of the 2024/25 season.}}</ref>
|EcoWorld London
|-
|2020–2021
|[[Utilita Energy|Utilita]]
|[[Hollywoodbets]]
|[[Hollywoodbets]]
|-
|2021–2023
| rowspan="3" |[[Hollywoodbets]]
|SafetyCulture
| colspan="2" rowspan="3" |''None''
|-
|2023–2025
|PensionBee
|-
|2025–present
|[[Joma]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford announce Joma as new official kit partner {{!}} Brentford FC |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/club-news-brentford-announce-joma-as-new-official-kit-partner |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Brentford F.C.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=FourFourTwo |title=Brentford home kit for 2025/26 |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/premier-league-kits-2025-26? |website=fourfourtwo.com |access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>
|[[Cazoo]]
|}
==
{{Main|West London derby}}
Brentford's main rivals are [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The results of the largest ever survey into club rivalries |url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020074918/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |archive-date=20 October 2013 |access-date=5 May 2016 |website=Footballfancensus.com }}</ref> The club has a long-standing rivalry with Fulham.<ref name="fulham">{{Cite web |title=Football Ground Guide |date=April 2011 |url=http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/premier-league/craven-cottage-fulham.html#alocal-rivals |access-date=4 May 2016 |publisher=Football Ground Guide}}</ref> In the past this fixture has been marred by crowd violence.<ref name="crowd">{{Cite web |title=Fulham F.C. – The 1995/1996 Season |url=http://www.phespirit.info/football/ffc_1996.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020823035608/http://www.phespirit.info/football/ffc_1996.htm |archive-date=23 August 2002 |access-date=4 May 2016 }}</ref> Brentford's rivalry with Queens Park Rangers intensified in 1967, when Rangers failed in an attempted takeover of the Bees, a move which, had it succeeded, would have seen Rangers move into Griffin Park and Brentford quit the [[Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/february/im-backing-brentford-part-two-how-the-proposed-1967-takeover-started/|title=I'm Backing Brentford part two: how the proposed 1967 takeover started|website=brentfordfc.com}}</ref>{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p = 123–125}} As with the Fulham and Chelsea rivalries, this fixture sees passions run high amongst both sets of supporters with local pride at stake.<ref name="qpr">{{Cite web |date=6 October 2006 |title=Brentford FC vs. QPR |url=http://www.footballderbies.com/honours/index.php?id=94 |access-date=4 May 2016 |website=Footballderbies.com}}</ref>
==International links==
In February 2013, it was announced that Brentford had entered into partnership with Icelandic [[1. deild karla (football)|1. deild karla]] club [[UMF Selfoss]], which would enable Brentford to send youth and development squad players to [[Iceland]] to gain experience.<ref name="Partnership">{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Bees agree Icelandic partnership |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/selfoss-partnership-13.02.13-655813.aspx?pageView=full |access-date=3 December 2014 |website=brentfordfc.co.uk |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923232436/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/selfoss-partnership-13.02.13-655813.aspx?pageView=full |url-status=dead }}</ref> The partnership also sees the two clubs exchanging coaching philosophies and allows Brentford to utilise UMF Selfoss' scouting network.<ref name="Partnership" /> In May 2013, the Brentford staff forged links with [[Uganda]]n lower league club [[Gulu United FC|Gulu United]] as part of the "United for United" project, aimed at forming the region's first youth training camp and identifying talented players.<ref name="Wickham">{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Join Brentford in supporting Gulu United |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/gulu-united-845850.aspx |access-date=3 December 2014 |website=brentfordfc.co.uk |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923225503/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/gulu-united-845850.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Brentford owner Matthew Benham became majority shareholder in [[Football in Denmark|Danish]] club [[FC Midtjylland]] in 2014 and the staff of both clubs share ideas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Brentford club staff visit FC Midtjylland |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/brentford-club-staff-visit-fc-midtjylland-2121685.aspx |access-date=3 December 2014 |website=brentfordfc.co.uk |archive-date=3 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203210729/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/brentford-club-staff-visit-fc-midtjylland-2121685.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2023, Benham sold [[FC Midtjylland]] to Danish billionaire [[Anders Holch Povlsen]], therefore, they are now no longer sister clubs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sim |first=Josh |date=17 August 2023 |title=Brentford owner Matthew Benham sells FC Midtjylland to Danish billionaire |work=Sports Pro |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/matthew-benham-fc-midtjylland-ownership-stake-sale-povlsen-heartland/ |access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref> In April 2025, it was announced that the holding company for Brentford FC, [[Best Intentions Analytics]], was acquiring 100% ownership of the Spanish side, [[Mérida AD|Asociación Deportiva Mérida (Mérida AD)]]. Similar to previous international affiliations, this move allowed for easier access to spanish markets and scouting networks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Intentions Analytics purchases Spanish club Mérida |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/club-news-best-intentions-analytics-purchases-spanish-club-merida |access-date=6 July 2025 |website=brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
===Affiliated clubs===
* {{Fbaicon|England}} [[London Tigers F.C.|London Tigers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Tigers play on Griffin Park pitch |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2019/may/london-tigers-at-gp/ |access-date=20 May 2019 |website=brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
* {{Fbaicon|Iceland}} [[UMF Selfoss]]<ref name="Partnership" />
* {{Fbaicon|Uganda}} [[Gulu United FC|Gulu United]]<ref name="Wickham" />
* {{Fbaicon|Spain}}[[Mérida AD]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Intentions Analytics purchases Spanish club Mérida |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/club-news-best-intentions-analytics-purchases-spanish-club-merida |access-date=6 July 2025 |website=brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
==In popular culture==
* The club is mentioned often on the [[BBC]] comedy ''[[People Just Do Nothing]]''. DJ Beats often wears a Brentford jacket, and Angel's room is full of Brentford memorabilia.
* Actor and comedian [[Bradley Walsh]] was a professional at the club in the late 1970s, but never made the first team squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2006 |title=Ex bees Rover returns |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~883335,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007043052/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~883335,00.html |archive-date=7 October 2018 |access-date=12 February 2018 |website=brentfordfc.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[Dan Tana]], Hollywood actor and restaurateur, served on the club's board and was chairman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A match made in Hollywood interview |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/a-match-made-in-hollywood-6329379.html |access-date=9 September 2019 |website=Evening Standard|date=12 April 2012 }}</ref>
* Model [[Stephen James (model)|Stephen James]] played for the club's [[Brentford F.C. Reserves and Academy#Youth team|youth team]] prior to his release in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephen James {{!}} The Man Behind The Body Art Model |url=https://www.brother2brother.co.uk/blog/stephen-james-the-man-behind-the-body-art-model/ |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=brother2brother.co.uk |date=26 October 2017 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Entertainer [[Vic Oliver]] served as the club's vice-president in the early 1950s and was later president of the Brentford Supporters' Club.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=100-101}}
* Politician [[Jack Dunnett]] served as club chairman between 1961 and 1967.{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=27}}
* Former [[Yes (band)|Yes]] keyboardist and solo artist [[Rick Wakeman]] became a director of the club for a year in 1979.
*[[Radiohead]] guitarist [[Ed O'Brien]] has been a supporter and season ticket holder.
*[[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]] bass player [[John Edwards (musician)|John "Rhino" Edwards]] is a supporter; he wrote and recorded a song for Brentford player [[Lloyd Owusu]].
*In season two of ''[[Ted Lasso]]'', Brentford is mentioned as AFC Richmond's biggest rival.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ted Lasso Season 2 Report Card: Most Valuable Player, Most Disappointing Storyline, & More! |url=https://www.tvfanatic.com/ted-lasso-season-2-report-card-most-valuable-player-most-disappo/ |first=Becca |last=Newton |date=October 19, 2021 |website=tvfanatic.com/}}</ref>
==Honours==
{{Main|List of Brentford F.C. records and statistics#Club honours and best performances|List of Brentford F.C. seasons}}
:Source:<ref name="FCHD"/>
*[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] / [[EFL Championship|Championship]] (level 2)
*
**Play-off winners: [[2021 EFL Championship play-off final|2021]]
*[[Football League Third Division South|Third Division South]] / [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] / [[EFL League One|League One]] (level 3)
**Champions: [[1932–33 Football League#Third Division South|1932–33]], [[1991–92 Football League#Third Division|1991–92]]
*
*[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / [[EFL League Two|League Two]] (level 4)
**Champions: [[1962–63 Football League#Fourth Division|1962–63]], [[1998–99 Football League#Third Division|1998–99]], [[2008–09 Football League Two|2008–09]]
**Promoted: [[1971–72 Football League#Fourth Division|1971–72]], [[1977–78 Football League#Fourth Division|1977–78]]
*[[United League (football)|United League]]
**Champions: [[United League (football)#1907–08|1907–08]]
*[[London League (football)|London League]]
**Champions: 1908–09
*[[Southern Football League|Southern League Second Division]]
**Champions: [[1900–01 Southern Football League|1900–01]]
*London League Second Division<ref name="nonleaguematters">{{Cite web |title=London League 1896–1910 |url=http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Regmet/LonL96.html |access-date=14 May 2018 |website=nonleaguematters.co.uk}}</ref>
**Champions: [[1896–97 Brentford F.C. season|1896–97]]
* West London Alliance{{sfn|Haynes|1998|pp=135–136}}
**Champions: 1892–93<ref group="lower-alpha">No system of promotion in place.</ref>
'''Cup'''
*[[Football League Trophy]]
**Runners-up: [[1984–85 Football League Trophy|1984–85]], [[2000–01 Football League Trophy|2000–01]], [[2010–11 Football League Trophy|2010–11]]
* [[London Senior Cup]]{{Sfn|White|1989|p=354}}
**Winners: 1897–98*, 2021–22
* [[London Challenge Cup]]{{Sfn|White|1989|p=82-84}}
**Winners: 1934–35, [[1964–65 Brentford F.C. season|1964–65]], [[1966–67 Brentford F.C. season|1966–67]]
*Middlesex Junior Cup{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p=96}}
**Winners: 1893–94
* West Middlesex Cup{{sfn|Haynes|1998|pp=135–136}}
**Winners: 1894–95
* [[Middlesex Senior Cup]]{{Sfn|White|1989|p=354}}
**Winners: 1897–98
*Southern Professional Charity Cup{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p = 119–120}}
**Winners: [[1908–09 Brentford F.C. season|1908–09]]
*Ealing Hospital Cup{{sfn|White|1989|p=97}}
**Winners: [[1910–11 Brentford F.C. season|1910–11]]
*London Charity Fund<ref>{{Cite news |last=Argus |date=16 November 1928 |title=A Changed Brentford |work=The Brentford & Chiswick Times}}</ref>
**Winners: 1928
'''Wartime honours'''
*[[London Combination]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 February 2003 |title=England 1918/19 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng19.html |access-date=4 May 2016 |website=RSSSF.com}}</ref>
**Winners: [[1918–19 Brentford F.C. season|1918–19]]
* [[London War Cup]]{{Sfn|White|1989|p=82–84}}
**Winners: [[1941–42 Brentford F.C. season|1941–42]]
==Best performances==
*Highest league finish: 5th in [[Football League First Division|First Division]] (level 1), [[1935–36 Football League|1935–36]]<ref name="FCHD" />
*Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Sixth round/quarter-finals, [[1937–38 FA Cup|1937–38]], [[1945–46 FA Cup|1945–46]], [[1948–49 FA Cup|1948–49]], [[1988–89 FA Cup|1988–89]]<ref name="FCHD" />
*Best [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] performance: Semi-finals, [[2020–21 EFL Cup|2020–21]]<ref name="FCHD" />
*Best [[Football League Trophy|League Trophy]] performance: Runners-up, [[1985 Football League Trophy final|1984–85]], [[2001 Football League Trophy final|2000–01]], [[2011 Football League Trophy final|2010–11]]<ref name="FCHD" />
*Best [[Empire Exhibition Trophy]] performance: First round, 1938{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p = 46}}
*Best Southern Professional Floodlit Cup performance: Semi-finals, [[1955–56 Brentford F.C. season|1955–56]], [[1956–57 Brentford F.C. season|1956–57]]{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p = 119–120}}
*Best First Alliance Cup performance: First round, 1988{{Sfn|Haynes|1998|p = 51}}
== Notes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" />
==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Works cited===
* {{Cite book |title=100 Years of Brentford |date=1989 |publisher=Oldfield Press |isbn=0-9515262-0-0 |editor-last=White |editor-first=Eric}}
* {{Cite book |last=Haynes |first=Graham |title=A-Z of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia |date=1998 |publisher=Yore Publications |isbn=1-874427-57-7 |___location=Harefield}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Haynes |first1=Graham |title=Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 |last2=Coumbe |first2=Frank |publisher=Yore Publications |year=2006 |isbn=0955294916 |___location=Harefield}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Croxford |first1=Mark |title=The Big Brentford Book of the Nineties |last2=Lane |first2=David |last3=Waterman |first3=Greville |publisher=Legends Publishing |year=2013 |isbn=9781906796723 |___location=Sunbury, Middlesex}}
==
* [[Football in London]]
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
===Independent websites===
* {{BBC football info|brentford}}
* [https://www.skysports.com/brentford Brentford] at Sky Sports
* [https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/130/Brentford/overview Brentford FC] at Premier League
* [https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/teams/2601127--brentford/ Brentford FC] at [[UEFA]]
{{Premier League}}
{{EFL Championship}}
{{Football League One}}
{{Football League Two}}
{{Football in London}}
{{Authority control}}
[[
[[Category:1889 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1889]]
[[Category:Brentford, London]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in London]]
[[Category:Premier League clubs]]
[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Sport in the London Borough of Hounslow]]
[[Category:English Football League clubs]]
[[Category:United League (football)]]
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