1934–35 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1934–35 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. The Bees led the division for much of the second half of the season and were promoted as champions to the First Division for the first time in the club's history. Brentford also won the London Challenge Cup for the first time.

Brentford
1934–35 season
ChairmanLouis P. Simon
ManagerHarry Curtis
StadiumGriffin Park
Second Division1st (promoted)
FA CupThird round
London Challenge CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague: Holliday (25)
All: Holliday (25)
Highest home attendance26,079
Lowest home attendance11,843
Average home league attendance18,062

Season summary

Brentford manager Harry Curtis made two big-money signings during the 1934 off-season – left back George Poyser from Port Vale for a club record £1,550 fee (equivalent to £139,000 in 2024) and centre half Archie Scott from Derby County for £1,000.[1][2] Jim Brown was signed from Manchester United as outside right cover for Idris Hopkins and new first-choice goalkeeper James Mathieson was signed on a free transfer from Middlesbrough.[3][4] After two years on the fringes, young right half Duncan McKenzie broke into the first team squad during the season and George Robson returned in attack,[5][6] after being frozen out during the previous season.[7] Former captain Jimmy Bain retired and became the club's assistant manager, a position he held until 1952.[6]

Despite 1933–34's leading scorers Jack Holliday and Idris Hopkins finding the net with regularity,[8] it was Ernest Muttitt who inspired the Bees to start the season with a seven-match unbeaten run.[9] The run took the club to the top of the table,[9] with Muttitt scoring seven goals in a five-match spell.[8]

Aside from two separate spells of three defeats in five matches, Brentford went on two long unbeaten runs during the season.[9] A 1–0 win over Notts County on 2 March 1934 returned the Bees to the top and they won promotion with three matches to spare.[6][9] Three points from the final three matches confirmed Brentford as champions, five points above nearest challengers Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.[9] The promotion meant that Brentford would play in the First Division for the first time in the club's history and the championship shield was held aloft by captain Herbert Watson after the final match of the season at Griffin Park.[10][11] A unique double was achieved with Brentford's first-ever victory in the London Challenge Cup, in which Millwall were beaten 2–1 after extra time in the final at Craven Cottage.[12]

A number of Football League club records were set or equalled during the season, including:

  • Least home defeats (0, equalling the 1929–30 team's unbeaten home record)
  • Most consecutive home matches undefeated (24, a run which stretched back to April 1934)
  • The club record for highest winning margin in a Football League match was broken twice during the season, firstly in a 8–1 victory over Barnsley in December 1934 and then in the 8–0 hammering of Port Vale in April 1935.[13] The eight-goal winning margin stood as the club record until October 1963.[13]

Billy Scott became the club's second Football League-era player to score five goals in a match,[14] with five goals in the 8–1 win over Barnsley.[15] He scored a hat-trick in the return match on 27 April 1935.[15] With his hat-trick versus Port Vale on 20 April 1935, Jack Holliday set a club record of 9 hat-tricks.[16]

League table
Main article: 1934–35 Football League Second Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Brentford (C, P) 42 26 9 7 93 48 1.938 61 Promotion to the First Division
2 Bolton Wanderers (P) 42 26 4 12 96 48 2.000 56
3 West Ham United 42 26 4 12 80 63 1.270 56
4 Blackpool 42 21 11 10 79 57 1.386 53
5 Manchester United 42 23 4 15 76 55 1.382 50
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

Results
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 25 August 1934Norwich CityH2–1 21,565Holliday, Hopkins
2 27 August 1934FulhamA2–2 26,656Fletcher, Holliday (pen)
3 1 September 1934Newcastle UnitedA5–2 23,714Muttitt (3), Holliday, Hopkins
4 5 September 1934Fulham H1–0 23,678Muttitt
5 8 September 1934West Ham UnitedH4–1 20,818Holliday (3), Burns
6 15 September 1934BlackpoolA2–2 24,223Muttitt, Scott
7 22 September 1934BuryH2–1 13,729Muttitt (2)
8 29 September 1934Hull CityA1–2 7,764Fletcher
9 6 October 1934Nottingham ForestH1–1 16,098James
10 13 October 1934Bradford CityA0–3 13,132
11 20 October 1934Notts County H4–1 15,313Burns, Mills (og)
12 27 October 1934Southampton A0–1 10,268
13 3 November 1934Bolton Wanderers H1–0 22,322Holliday
14 10 November 1934Oldham AthleticA3–1 8,391Robson, Fletcher, Scott
15 17 November 1934BurnleyH6–1 15,459Holliday (3), Robson, Hopkins, Scott
16 24 November 1934Swansea TownA4–2 10,547Scott (2), Holliday (2)
17 1 December 1934Manchester United H3–1 21,744Hopkins, Fletcher, Holliday
18 8 December 1934Port ValeA2–2 8,054Hopkins, Robson (pen)
19 15 December 1934BarnsleyH8–1 11,843Scott (5), Robson (2), Holliday
20 22 December 1934Sheffield UnitedA2–1 11,115Fletcher, Hopkins
21 25 December 1934Plymouth ArgyleH0–0 23,786
22 26 December 1934Plymouth ArgyleA1–1 32,509Scott
23 29 December 1934Norwich CityA1–2 13,371Hopkins
24 5 January 1935Newcastle UnitedH3–0 26,079Hopkins, Fletcher (2)
25 19 January 1935West Ham United A0–2 33,788
26 26 January 1935BlackpoolH2–1 13,087Holliday, Robson
27 2 February 1935Bury A1–4 13,687Hopkins
28 9 February 1935Hull CityH2–1 14,109Hopkins, Holliday
29 23 February 1935Bradford City H2–0 15,824Fletcher, Hopkins
30 28 February 1935Nottingham ForestA0–0 8,137
31 2 March 1935Notts CountyA1–0 10,252Holliday
32 9 March 1935SouthamptonH3–2 13,111Hopkins, Scott (2)
33 23 March 1935Oldham AthleticH2–1 13,867Holliday (2)
34 30 March 1935BurnleyA3–0 11,206Robson, Scott, Hopkins
35 6 April 1935Swansea Town H1–0 17,212Holliday
36 13 April 1935Manchester UnitedA0–0 32,969
37 19 April 1935Bradford Park AvenueH1–0 20,447Holliday
38 20 April 1935Port ValeH8–0 18,194Holliday (3), Robson (3), Burns, Hopkins
39 22 April 1935Bradford Park AvenueA3–2 12,729Bateman, Hopkins (2)
40 27 April 1935BarnsleyA3–3 7,021Scott (3)
41 1 May 1935Bolton WanderersA0–2 46,554
42 4 May 1935Sheffield UnitedH3–1 21,017Fletcher, Holliday, Scott (3)

FA Cup
Main article: 1934–35 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenue AttendanceResult
3R11 January 1935Plymouth Argyle H 24,5000–1

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1934–35 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK James Mathieson (1904-05-10)10 May 1904 (aged 30) Middlesbrough 1934
Defenders
DF Jack Astley (1909-12-03)3 December 1909 (aged 24) Southport 1933
DF Arthur Bateman (1908-04-01)1 April 1908 (aged 26) Southend United 1934
DF Walter Metcalf (1910-12-15)15 December 1910 (aged 23) Sunderland 1934
DF George Poyser (1910-02-06)6 February 1910 (aged 24) Port Vale 1934
Midfielders
HB Jackie Burns (1906-11-27)27 November 1906 (aged 27) Queens Park Rangers 1931 Amateur
HB Joe James (1910-01-13)13 January 1910 (aged 24) Battersea Church 1929
HB Duncan McKenzie (1912-08-10)10 August 1912 (aged 22) Albion Rovers 1932
HB James Raven (1908-03-29)29 March 1908 (aged 26) Folkestone 1934 Amateur
HB Archie Scott (1905-07-22)22 July 1905 (aged 29) Derby County 1934
HB Herbert Watson (c) (1908-11-20)20 November 1908 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
Forwards
FW Charlie Fletcher (1905-10-28)28 October 1905 (aged 28) Clapton Orient 1933
FW Jack Holliday (1908-12-19)19 December 1908 (aged 25) Middlesbrough 1932
FW Idris Hopkins (1910-10-11)11 October 1910 (aged 23) Crystal Palace 1932
FW Ernest Muttitt (1908-07-24)24 July 1908 (aged 26) Middlesbrough 1932
FW George Robson (1908-06-17)17 June 1908 (aged 26) West Ham United 1931
FW Billy Scott (1907-12-06)6 December 1907 (aged 26) Middlesbrough 1932
  • Sources: 100 Years of Brentford,[8] Timeless Bees,[17] Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939[18]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Harry Curtis Manager
Jimmy Bain Assistant Manager
Bob Kane Trainer
Jack Cartmell Assistant Trainer
Fred Keatch Secretary

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Brentford'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 James Mathieson 42 0 1 0 43 0
DF Jack Astley 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF Arthur Bateman 41 1 1 0 42 1
DF Walter Metcalf 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF George Poyser 4101 0 420
HB Jackie Burns 2851 0295
HB Joe James 39 1 1 0 40 1
HB Duncan McKenzie 30 0 1 0 31 0
HB James Raven 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Archie Scott 200 020
HB Herbert Watson 27 0 0 0 27 0
FW Charlie Fletcher 42 9 1 0 43 9
FW Jack Holliday 42251 0 4325
FW Idris Hopkins 42 16 1 0 43 16
FW Ernest Muttitt 14 7 0 0 14 7
FW George Robson 27 10 1 0 28 10
FW Billy Scott 42 18 1 0 43 18
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[8]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL2 FAC Total
FW Jack Holliday 25 0 25
FW Billy Scott 18 0 18
FW Idris Hopkins 16 0 16
FW George Robson 10 0 10
FW Charlie Fletcher 9 0 9
FW Ernest Muttitt 7 0 7
HB Jackie Burns 5 0 5
DF Arthur Bateman 1 0 1
HB Joe James 1 0 1
Total93093
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years of Brentford[8]

Full
Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW Idris Hopkins 2 1 [19]

Amateur
Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
FW Jackie Burns 3 1 [20]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Harry Curtis 25 August 1934 4 May 1935 432698060.47|422697061.90

Summary
Games played43 (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Games won26 (26 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games drawn9 (9 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost8 (7 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored93 (93 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Goals conceded49 (48 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Clean sheets12 (12 Second Division, 0 FA Cup)
Biggest league win8–0 versus Port Vale, 20 April 1935
Worst league defeat3–0 versus Bradford City, 13 October 1934; 4–1 versus Bury, 2 February 1935
Most appearances43, Charlie Fletcher, Jack Holliday, Idris Hopkins, James Mathieson (42 Second Division, 1 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)25, Jack Holliday
Top scorer (all competitions)25, Jack Holliday

Transfers & loans
Cricketers are not included in this list.
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1934 FW Jim Brown Manchester United £300 [3]
13 June 1934 FW Gerry McAloon St Francis Free [21]
June 1934 FW Charlie Drinkwater Golders Green Amateur [22]
June 1934 DF George Poyser Port Vale £1,550 [1]
July 1934 HB Archie Scott Derby County £1,000 [23]
August 1934 HB H. Wallace Jarrow Amateur [24]
1934 DF George Dumbrell Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic n/a [25]
1934 FW Matt Johnson Northwich Victoria n/a [26]
1934 GK James Mathieson Middlesbrough Free [4]
1934 GK James Nicholls Manchester City Free [27]
1934 FW Les Smith Petersham Amateur [28]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
December 1933 FW Ralph Allen Charlton Athletic £650 [29]
Players loaned out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Date to Ref.
August 1934 FW Les Smith Wimbledon 1935 [28]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1935 FW Charlie Drinkwater Golders Green 1935 [22]
May 1935 HB William Hodge Retired [30]
May 1935 FW Bert Stephens Brighton & Hove Albion June 1935 [31]
May 1935 FW Charlie Walsh Retired [32]

References
  1. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 127.
  2. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 142.
  3. Jex, Rob. "James Brown: Brentford's only member of the US National Soccer Hall of Fame". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  4. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 101.
  5. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 106.
  6. White 1989, p. 142-145.
  7. White 1989, p. 372.
  8. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 373. ISBN 0951526200.
  9. "Brentford results for the 1934–1935 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  10. "Brentford Complete History". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  11. "Moment in time: Sheffield United". Brentford FC. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  12. Haynes 1998, p. 82-83.
  13. Haynes 1998, p. 133.
  14. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Harefield, Middlesex: Yore Publications. pp. 78–79. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  15. Haynes 1998, p. 62.
  16. Haynes 1998, p. 68.
  17. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  18. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN 190589161X.
  19. "Dai Hopkins". 11v11.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  20. "England Matches – The Amateurs 1906–1939". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  21. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
  22. "Player: Charles John Drinkwater". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  23. "A New Centre Half – Brentford Sign On A. T. Scott From Derby County". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 13 July 1934.
  24. ""Bees" New Capture – Centre Half From Jarrow". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 10 August 1934.
  25. Argus (17 August 1934). "Power Of The "Bees". "Argus" Looks Ahead And Thinks The Opposition Will Be Stronger. Strength Of Newcastle And Bolton. New Players' Promise: Regulars All Fit: Mr. Curtis Talks". The Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  26. Joyce 2012, p. 155.
  27. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 116.
  28. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 149.
  29. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 10.
  30. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 77.
  31. "Bert Stephens". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  32. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 164.
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