Brentford initially played amateur football before they entered theLondon League in 1896 and finished as runners-up of the Second Division and then the First Division to win election into theSouthern League in 1898. They won the Southern League Second Division in 1900–01 and were elected into theFootball League in 1920. Brentford won theThird Division South title in 1932–33 and theSecond Division title in 1934–35. The club enjoyed a successful spell in the top flight of English football, reaching a peak of fifth in theFirst Division, in 1935–36, their highest ever league finish, before three relegations left them in theFourth 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.
In 1889, the town ofBrentford,Middlesex was home to the BrentfordRowing Club andBoston ParkCricket Club.[2] Attempts to formfootball andrugby clubs in the town fell by the wayside until a new recreation ground was opened on 17 October 1889.[2] Seven days earlier, a meeting had taken place at the Oxford & Cambridgepub nearKew Bridge, during which it had been endeavoured between the rowing and cricket club members to decide how best to use the recreation ground.[2] 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".[2]
On 26 October 1889,[2] 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.[3] The1892–93 season saw Brentford enter a league for the first time — the West London Alliance.[4][5] The 1894–95 season was when Brentford first got their nickname, The Bees. A group of people fromBorough Road College had come to a match to support their friendJoseph 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.[6][7]
Brentford continued to largely play cup and friendly matches until 1896, when the club was elected into the Second Division of theLondon League.[8] The Bees finished second to secure promotion to the First Division.[8] Brentford's London League exploits and its establishment as one of the top amateur clubs inLondon led to the club's election into the Second Division (London section) of the Southern League for the1898–99 season.[9] The club became a professional outfit in the1899–1900 season[10] and won a place in the top-flight in July 1901 afterGravesend United dropped out of the Southern League.[11]
Brentford moved toGriffin Park, its first permanent home, in time for the beginning of the1904–05 season.[12] The Bees reached the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in1905–06, advancing to the third round before succumbing toLiverpool atAnfield.[13] Despite an initial upturn in form, 9 defeats in the final 11 matches of1912–13 led to Brentford's relegation after an 11-season stay in the First Division.[14]
In July 1915, the Southern League cancelled its competition for the duration of theFirst World War.[15] Brentford competed in theLondon Combination during the War.[16] The squad was decimated by the call-up of players for service or war work.[16] Brentford won the London Combination title in 1918–19, four points ahead of nearest challengersArsenal.[15] Brentford turned down the opportunity to apply for election to the Football League for the1919–20 season and instead applied for election to the First Division of the Southern League, which was awarded, finishing 15th.[17]
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 the1920–21 season.[18] 11 new players were signed and the Bees' first-ever Football League match took place on 28 August 1920 atExeter City'sSt James Park,[19] which resulted in a 3–0 defeat.[20] Despite 18 goals fromHarry King, a lack of goals from elsewhere in the side led Brentford to a 21st-place finish,[21] but the club werere-elected into the league without going to a poll.[19]
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 formerGillingham bossHarry Curtis being installed as manager.[22] Just 9 members of the previous season's squad were retained, but despite mid-table finishes over the following three seasons,[22] Curtis slowly rebuilt the squad. The1929–30Third Division South season provided the foundation for the Bees' future success, however, the club missed out on promotion toPlymouth Argyle.[23][24] The Bees romped to the1932–33 Third Division South title, withJack Holliday scoring a club-record 39 goals.[25]
After topping the table for the third time in the1934–35 season on 2 March 1935,[26] the Bees would not again relinquish top spot, cruising to the title and promotion to theFirst Division for the first time in the club's history.[27] Brentford also completed a unique double by winning theLondon Challenge Cup.[28] 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 the1935–36 First Division season.[29] An extension to the New Road terrace increased Griffin Park's capacity to 4,000, which would generate extra income.[29] 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.[30] Brentford again performed above expectations during the1936–37 and1937–38 seasons, finishing 6th in each campaign and reaching the FA Cup sixth round for the first time in the latter.[31] The club reached its zenith between October 1937 and February 1938, holding onto top spot in the First Division for 17 consecutive matches.[32]
The1938–39 season was the beginning of the end of Brentford's peak; narrowly avoiding relegation.[33] The1939–40 season lasted just three matches beforeWorld War Two brought about the suspension of competitive football.[34] Brentford competed in theFootball 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.[34] On 30 May 1942, the Bees earned a 2–0 victory overPortsmouth in theLondon War Cup final atWembley Stadium.[35]
Brentford's1946–47 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.[36] After narrowly avoiding a second successive relegation in1947–48, manager Harry Curtis announced that the1948–49 season would be his last in the job after nearly 23 years.[23][37] The season ended with a poor 18th-place finish,[37] though notably the FA Cup sixth round fixture at home toLeicester City set a new club-record attendance of 38,678.[38] In1953–54 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.[39]
Relegation to the Third Division South at the end of the 1953–54 season meant that1954–55 would be Brentford's first in the bottom-tier for 21 years.[40] After three consecutive top-six finishes,[40] the rot set in during the1960–61 season, with the poor form on the field mirrored by the news from the boardroom of debts of £50,000 (equivalent to £1,400,000 in 2023).[41]
After the sale of several key players, the Bees finished second-from-bottom of the1961–62 Third Division and were relegated, starting several yo-yo years between the Third and Fourth divisions.[42] Despite winning just seven of the final 14 matches of the season, Brentford finished1962–63 as Fourth Division champions.[43] However, in1965–66,Billy Gray couldn't prevent relegation to the Fourth Division.[44] In December 1966, it was revealed by chairman Dunnett at Brentford'sAGM that the club had lost £20,000 during the previousfinancial year and that he would be selling his stake in the club.[45] Earlier that month, there had been an approach from neighboursQPR, suggesting that the two clubs share Griffin Park.[46] On 19 January 1967, the news broke that Dunnett and his QPR counterpartJim Gregory had reached an agreement that Brentford's rivals would move into Griffin Park, Rangers' groundLoftus Road would be redeveloped as housing and Brentford, as a club, would cease to exist.[45]
After a tense month of fan protests, negotiations and donations amounting to £8,500 (equivalent to £190,000 in 2023),[47][48] a six-mansyndicate 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.[45] The following day, Blindell, as chairman, took control of the club.[45] 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.[49] 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.[49]
UnderFrank Blunstone, Brentford secured promotion back to the Third Division with two matches of the season remaining.[50] However, the Bees were relegated on the final day of the 1972–73 season.[51] After a period of consolidation,Bill Dodgin Jr. led Brentford to a 4th-place finish and promotion to the Third Division in the1977–78 season.[52] Brentford reached its first major competitive cup final in the1984–85 season, but lost 3–1 againstWigan Athletic in the1985 Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.[53] In the 1988–89 season, the Bees' reached the sixth round of the FA Cup, which ended after a 4–0 defeat toLiverpool atAnfield.[54]
In1991–92, 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.[31][54] However, Brentford returned immediately to the third tier.[55] In 1996–97, Brentford missed out on promotion, losing theplay-off final againstCrewe Alexandra.[56] In the1997–98 season, Brentford were relegated to the Third Division on the final day of the season.[57]
In June 1998, former Crystal Palace chairmanRon Noades assumed ownership of Brentford and made wholesale changes throughout the club, installing himself as chairman-manager.[58] The Bees won the1998–99 Third Division championship on the final day, after beatingCambridge United 1–0 in a "winner takes all" match at theAbbey Stadium.[58] Brentford reached the2001 Football League Trophy final, but were defeated 2–1 byPort Vale.[59] At the end of the2001–02 season, Brentford narrowly missed out on automatic promotion on the final day toReading. The Bees could only manage a draw in a must win match, before later losing the2002 play-off final, toStoke City, 2–0.[60][61]
In the wake of theITV Digital collapse, the financial restraints placed on the club by Noades left new managerWally Downes with an inexperienced squad andadministration was narrowly avoided in August 2002.[62][63] Noades quit the club and handed control to supporters' trust Bees United.[64] Brentford narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the2003–04 season.[65][66] In both2004–05 and2005–06, Brentford reached the FA Cup fifth round and the play-off semi-finals.[67] In 2006, Matthew Benham made his first interaction with Brentford, donating £500,000. He was anonymous and was known as the 'Mysterious Investor'.[68] Despite a good start to the2006–07 season, Brentford's relegation was confirmed on 9 April 2007, eventually finishing bottom of the league.[69][31] 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.[70]
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.[68] UnderAndy Scott, the Bees won the League Two title after victory in the penultimate match of the2009–10 season.[71]2010–11 became memorable for Brentford's cup exploits, going on a run to the fourth round of the League Cup and reaching the2011 Football League Trophy final, which was lost 1–0 toCarlisle United.[72] In June 2012, Benham fully bought the club from Bees United. However, Bees United still keep a place on the club board.[68] Brentford came within apenalty kick of automatic promotion to theChampionship on the final day of the2012–13 season, losing 1–0 to promotion rivalsDoncaster Rovers at Griffin Park, who only needed a draw to secure automatic promotion.[73] The Bees would eventually lose toYeovil Town in theplay-off final.[74] 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 vsPreston North End F.C..[31][75]
In their first season in the second tier since 1993, Brentford finished 5th but lost toMiddlesbrough in the play-off semi-finals.[77][78] UnderDean Smith, Brentford became an established Championship side.[79] Smith's successor,Thomas Frank, took Brentford to the2020 Championship play-off final after finishing third in the league, but lost 2–1 to West London rivalsFulham.[80] During the 2020 off-season, the club moved out of Griffin Park (its home ground for 116 years) and into theBrentford Community Stadium, a 17,250-capacityall-seater stadium.[76][81] Brentford finally broke their play-off curse having previously lost 9 out of 9 play-off campaigns which was then a national record and went one better in theplay-offs that year, securing promotion to thePremier League with a 2–0 victory overSwansea City in the2021 Championship play-off final.[82]
Brentford played in the top division ofEnglish football for the first time in 74 years.[68] Frank guided his side to 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th-placed finishes in Brentford's first four Premier League campaigns,[31] before eventually leaving the club in June 2025 to manageTottenham Hotspur.[83]Keith Andrews was eventually announced as his successor later that month.[84]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Brentford's nickname is "The Bees".[96] The nickname was unintentionally created by students ofBorough 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 playerJoseph Gettins.[96] Local newspapers misheard the chant as "Buck up Bees" and the nickname stuck.[97]
Brentford's predominant home colours are a red and white striped shirt, black shorts and red or black socks.[98] These have been the club's predominant home colours since the1925–26 season, bar one season –1960–61 – when yellow (gold) and blue were used, unsuccessfully.[99] The colours on entering the Football League, in1920–21, were white shirts, navy shorts and navy socks.[100] 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.[101] 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.[101] The next known badge, the Middlesex County Arms, was on shirts donated by a club supporter in 1909.[101] The Brentford and Chiswick arms, as a badge, was used just for the one season, in1938–39.[101] The next badge was in1971–72 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.[101] 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 byDan Tana – the club's chairman at the time – was introduced for the1975–76 season and continued until 1994 when the current badge was introduced.[101] In 2011Russell Grant claimed to have designed the badge in a BBC interview;[102] 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.[99] In 2017, the club redesigned its crest to a more modern, uncluttered, design with the flexibility for use in two tone colour print.[101] The design is a double roundel with the club name and year founded in white on a red background and a large central bee.[101]
Brentford's main rivals areFulham,Chelsea andQueens Park Rangers.[112] The club has a long-standing rivalry with Fulham.[113] In the past this fixture has been marred by crowd violence.[114] 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 theFootball League.[115][46] As with the Fulham and Chelsea rivalries, this fixture sees passions run high amongst both sets of supporters with local pride at stake.[116]
In February 2013, it was announced that Brentford had entered into partnership with Icelandic1. deild karla clubUMF Selfoss, which would enable Brentford to send youth and development squad players toIceland to gain experience.[117] The partnership also sees the two clubs exchanging coaching philosophies and allows Brentford to utilise UMF Selfoss' scouting network.[117] In May 2013, the Brentford staff forged links withUgandan lower league clubGulu United as part of the "United for United" project, aimed at forming the region's first youth training camp and identifying talented players.[118] Brentford owner Matthew Benham became majority shareholder inDanish clubFC Midtjylland in 2014 and the staff of both clubs share ideas.[119] In 2023, Benham soldFC Midtjylland to Danish billionaireAnders Holch Povlsen, therefore, they are now no longer sister clubs.[120] In April 2025, it was announced that the holding company for Brentford FC,Best Intentions Analytics, was acquiring 100% ownership of the Spanish side,Asociación Deportiva Mérida (Mérida AD). Similar to previous international affiliations, this move allowed for easier access to spanish markets and scouting networks.[121]
The club is mentioned often on theBBC comedyPeople Just Do Nothing. DJ Beats often wears a Brentford jacket, and Angel's room is full of Brentford memorabilia.
Actor and comedianBradley Walsh was a professional at the club in the late 1970s, but never made the first team squad.[124]
Dan Tana, Hollywood actor and restaurateur, served on the club's board and was chairman.[125]
^"Brentford and Umbro agree extension of partnership".Brentford F.C. Retrieved26 May 2025.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.
White, Eric, ed. (1989).100 Years of Brentford. Oldfield Press.ISBN0-9515262-0-0.
Haynes, Graham (1998).A-Z of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia. Harefield: Yore Publications.ISBN1-874427-57-7.
Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006).Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Harefield: Yore Publications.ISBN0955294916.
Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2013).The Big Brentford Book of the Nineties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing.ISBN9781906796723.
