Wikipedia

1955–56 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1955–56 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. A promising 6th-place finish was achieved with a squad mainly drawn from the club's youth system.

Brentford
1955–56 season
ChairmanFrank Davis
ManagerBill Dodgin Sr.
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division South6th
FA CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Towers (21)
All: Towers (22)
Highest home attendance17,847
Lowest home attendance5,291
Average home league attendance10,302

Season summary

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After finishing the previous season strongly,[1] Brentford went into the 1955–56 Third Division South season full of optimism.[2] Youth products Jim Towers and Dennis Heath had established themselves in the first team, while George Francis and Gerry Cakebread had also made their debuts.[3] Full backs Alan Bassham, George Lowden and half backs Wally Bragg and George Bristow also made up the ranks of home-grown players in the first team squad and forward John Pearson was another to graduate from the youth team during the 1955–56 season.[3] Chelsea full back Sid Tickridge was manager Bill Dodgin Sr.'s only major signing of the off-season and he replaced Frank Latimer as club captain.[2]

Despite winning more games than they had lost, Brentford hovered in mid-table during the opening three months of the season.[4] Forward Jeff Taylor led the attack and scored 11 goals in as many matches during a five-week period in September and October 1955.[3] Buoyed by four goals in five league matches by Wendell Morgan and news from the boardroom that a £9,000 profit had been made on the year ending in May 1955 (equivalent to £298,300 in 2024),[3] the Bees moved as high as 8th-place in early December, before losing form again later in the month.[1]

Victory over Exeter City on 4 February 1956 was the first win of a strong run which lasted for the remainder of the season and resulted in a 6th-place finish,[4] 11 points behind the top-three clubs.[3] During the season, 22-goal forward Jim Towers and goalkeeper Gerry Cakebread established themselves as two of the best players in the Third Division South.[2] After nearly 27 years as a player, assistant manager and caretaker manager at Griffin Park,[5] long-serving Jimmy Bain retired in May 1956.[6] He received a Long Service Medal from the Football League in recognition and was awarded a testimonial match to be played in October 1956.[5][6]

Brentford's 4–0 defeat at the hands of Millwall on 5 September 1955 ended an 11-match unbeaten run in League London derbies, a club record which stretched back to February 1954.[7] The record was equalled in August 2023.[7]

League table

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Main article: 1955–56 Football League Third Division South

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
4 Southend United 46 21 11 14 88 80 1.100 53
5 Torquay United 46 20 12 14 86 63 1.365 52
6 Brentford 46 19 14 13 69 66 1.045 52
7 Norwich City 46 19 13 14 86 82 1.049 51
8 Coventry City 46 20 9 17 73 60 1.217 49
Source: [citation needed]

Results

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Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

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Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South

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No. Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1 20 August 1955 Gillingham H 1–4 12,247 Towers (pen)
2 22 August 1955 Queens Park Rangers A 1–1 11,688 Stobbart
3 27 August 1955 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A 0–0 10,451
4 30 August 1955 Queens Park Rangers H 2–0 12,947 Towers, Taylor
5 3 September 1955 Norwich City H 1–2 12,565 Dudley
6 5 September 1955 Millwall A 0–4 6,911
7 10 September 1955 Colchester United A 3–0 7,843 Towers (2), Taylor
8 12 September 1955 Millwall H 2–2 7,597 Taylor, Stobbart
9 17 September 1955 Leyton Orient H 1–0 17,847 Taylor
10 19 September 1955 Watford H 0–0 6,864
11 24 September 1955 Exeter City A 3–2 9,454 Taylor (3)
12 26 September 1955 Coventry City A 1–2 12,584 Taylor
13 1 October 1955 Southend United H 2–1 14,329 Taylor, Towers
14 8 October 1955 Aldershot A 1–4 7,395 Towers
15 15 October 1955 Crystal Palace H 3–0 13,636 Taylor (2), Towers
16 22 October 1955 Brighton & Hove Albion A 0–3 12,771
17 29 October 1955 Southampton H 2–1 12,300 Morgan, Rainford
18 5 November 1955 Shrewsbury Town A 1–1 10,551 Morgan
19 12 November 1955 Ipswich Town H 3–2 14,795 Francis, Morgan, Towers
20 26 November 1955 Torquay United H 1–3 11,547 Heath
21 3 December 1955 Newport County A 2–1 8,035 Morgan, Dudley
22 17 December 1955 Gillingham A 2–1 5,867 Francis, Bristow
23 24 December 1955 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic H 2–1 8,592 Coote, Taylor
24 26 December 1955 Reading H 2–2 12,556 Robertson, Rainford
25 27 December 1955 Reading A 2–5 11,910 Bragg (pen), Francis
26 31 December 1955 Norwich City A 0–1 18,542
27 14 January 1956 Colchester United H 2–2 8,492 Rainford, Taylor
28 21 January 1956 Leyton Orient A 1–2 14,009 Morgan
29 4 February 1956 Exeter City H 2–0 6,309 Francis (2)
30 11 February 1956 Southend United A 2–2 5,124 Towers, Stirling (og)
31 18 February 1956 Aldershot H 2–0 7,026 Towers (2)
32 25 February 1956 Crystal Palace A 2–0 10,054 Towers (2)
33 3 March 1956 Brighton & Hove Albion H 4–2 11,061 Robertson (2), Goundry, Francis
34 10 March 1956 Southampton A 1–1 11,678 Towers
35 12 March 1956 Swindon Town H 1–2 7,249 Towers
36 17 March 1956 Shrewsbury Town H 1–1 9,156 Towers
37 24 March 1956 Ipswich Town A 1–1 13,672 Towers
38 31 March 1956 Walsall H 2–2 8,933 Towers, Coote
39 2 April 1956 Northampton Town H 2–1 9,527 Towers (2)
40 3 April 1956 Northampton Town A 0–1 8,248
41 7 April 1956 Torquay United A 1–3 5,574 Taylor
42 14 April 1956 Newport County H 1–1 5,291 Towers
43 21 April 1956 Swindon Town A 1–0 5,790 Peplow
44 23 April 1956 Coventry City H 1–1 6,078 Bragg (pen)
45 28 April 1956 Watford A 2–0 7,192 Robinson, Francis
46 3 May 1956 Walsall A 2–1 9,033 Taylor, Newcombe

FA Cup

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Main article: 1955–56 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorer(s)
1R 19 November 1955 March Town United H 4–0 13,300 Stobbart (2), Towers (pen), Francis
2R 10 December 1955 Leyton Orient A 1–4 17,490 Taylor

Playing squad

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Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1955–56 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread   (1936-04-01)1 April 1936 (aged 19) Youth 1954
GK Reg Newton   (1926-06-30)30 June 1926 (aged 29) Leyton Orient 1949
Defenders
DF Alan Bassham   (1933-10-03)3 October 1933 (aged 21) Youth 1953
DF Ken Horne   (1926-06-25)25 June 1926 (aged 29) Blackpool 1950
DF George Lowden   (1933-03-02)2 March 1933 (aged 22) Unattached 1951
DF Sid Tickridge (c)   (1923-04-10)10 April 1923 (aged 32) Chelsea 1955
Midfielders
HB Wally Bragg   (1929-07-08)8 July 1929 (aged 26) Twickenham Celtic 1946
HB George Bristow   (1933-06-25)25 June 1933 (aged 22) Youth 1950
HB Ken Coote   (1928-05-19)19 May 1928 (aged 27) Wembley 1949
HB Ian Dargie   (1931-10-03)3 October 1931 (aged 23) Tonbridge 1952
HB Leonard Geard   (1934-02-12)12 February 1934 (aged 21) Fulham 1953
HB Frank Latimer   (1923-10-03)3 October 1923 (aged 31) Snowdown Colliery Welfare 1945
HB Johnny Rainford   (1930-12-11)11 December 1930 (aged 24) Cardiff City 1953
HB Terry Robinson   (1929-11-08)8 November 1929 (aged 25) Loughborough College 1954 Amateur
HB Len Roe   (1932-01-11)11 January 1932 (aged 23) Ruislip Manor 1951
Forwards
FW Frank Dudley   (1925-05-09)9 May 1925 (aged 30) Cardiff City 1953
FW George Francis   (1934-02-04)4 February 1934 (aged 21) Youth 1955
FW Billy Goundry   (1934-03-28)28 March 1934 (aged 21) Huddersfield Town 1955
FW Dennis Heath   (1934-09-28)28 September 1934 (aged 20) Youth 1954
FW Wendell Morgan   (1935-04-22)22 April 1935 (aged 20) Cardiff City 1954
FW Len Newcombe   (1931-02-28)28 February 1931 (aged 24) Fulham 1956
FW John Pearson   (1935-04-23)23 April 1935 (aged 20) Youth 1955
FW Ron Peplow   (1935-05-04)4 May 1935 (aged 20) Southall 1955
FW James Robertson   (1929-02-20)20 February 1929 (aged 26) Arsenal 1953
FW Billy Sperrin   (1922-04-09)9 April 1922 (aged 33) Guildford City 1949
FW George Stobbart   (1921-01-09)9 January 1921 (aged 34) Millwall 1954
FW Jeff Taylor   (1930-09-20)20 September 1930 (aged 24) Fulham 1954
FW Jim Towers   (1933-04-15)15 April 1933 (aged 22) Youth 1954
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[3] Timeless Bees[8]

Coaching staff

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Name Role
  Bill Dodgin Sr. Manager
  Jimmy Bain Assistant manager
  Tommy Eggleston Trainer
  Jack Holliday Assistant trainer

Statistics

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Appearances and goals

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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   Gerry Cakebread 45 0 2 0 47 0
GK   Reg Newton 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF   Alan Bassham 10 0 0 0 10 0
DF   Ken Horne 7 0 0 0 7 0
DF   George Lowden 15 0 0 0 15 0
DF   Sid Tickridge 39 0 2 0 41 0
HB   Wally Bragg 29 2 0 0 29 2
HB   George Bristow 27 1 1 0 28 1
HB   Ken Coote 45 2 2 0 47 2
HB   Ian Dargie 4 0 0 0 4 0
HB   Leonard Geard 3 0 0 0 3 0
HB   Frank Latimer 10 0 1 0 11 0
HB   Johnny Rainford 37 3 2 0 39 3
HB   Terry Robinson 15 1 2 0 17 1
HB   Len Roe 4 0 1 0 5 0
FW   Frank Dudley 14 2 1 0 15 2
FW   George Francis 17 7 1 1 18 8
FW   Billy Goundry 23 1 0 0 23 1
FW   Dennis Heath 17 1 1 0 18 1
FW   Wendell Morgan 16 5 1 0 17 5
FW   Len Newcombe 3 1 — 3 1
FW   John Pearson 4 0 0 0 4 0
FW   Ron Peplow 3 1 0 0 3 1
FW   James Robertson 22 3 0 0 22 3
FW   Billy Sperrin 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW   George Stobbart 12 2 1 2 13 4
FW   Jeff Taylor 43 15 2 1 45 16
FW   Jim Towers 39 21 2 1 41 22
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[3]

Goalscorers

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Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW   Jim Towers 21 1 22
FW   Jeff Taylor 15 1 16
FW   George Francis 7 1 8
FW   Wendell Morgan 5 0 5
FW   George Stobbart 2 2 4
HB   Johnny Rainford 3 0 3
FW   James Robertson 3 0 3
HB   Wally Bragg 2 0 2
HB   Ken Coote 2 0 2
FW   Frank Dudley 2 0 2
FW   Len Newcombe 1 — 1
HB   George Bristow 1 0 1
FW   Billy Goundry 1 0 1
FW   Dennis Heath 1 0 1
FW   Ron Peplow 1 0 1
HB   Terry Robinson 1 0 1
Opponents 1 0 1
Total 69 5 74
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[3]

Amateur international caps

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Pos. Nat Player Caps Goals Ref
HB   Terry Robinson 2 0 [9]

Management

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Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
P W D L W % P W D L W %
Bill Dodgin Sr.   20 August 1955 3 May 1956 48 20 14 14 041.67 46 19 14 13 041.30

Summary

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Games played 48 (46 Third Division South, 2 FA Cup)
Games won 20 (19 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Games drawn 14 (14 Third Division South, 0 FA Cup)
Games lost 14 (13 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored 74 (69 Third Division South, 5 FA Cup)
Goals conceded 70 (66 Third Division South, 4 FA Cup)
Clean sheets 12 (11 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win 3–0 on two occasions
Worst league defeat 4–0 versus Millwall, 5 September 1955
Most appearances 47, Gerry Cakebread, Ken Coote (45 Third Division South, 2 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league) 21, Jim Towers
Top scorer (all competitions) 22, Jim Towers

Transfers & loans

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Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1955 FW   Billy Goundry   Huddersfield Town Free [10]
July 1955 DF   Sid Tickridge   Chelsea n/a [11]
August 1955 FW   Ken Morgan   Northampton Town n/a [12]
August 1955 FW   Ron Peplow   Southall n/a [13]
April 1956 FW   Len Newcombe   Fulham n/a [14]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
October 1955 FW   Ken Morgan   Crystal Palace n/a [12]
April 1956 DF   Ken Moffitt   Berwick Rangers n/a [15]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1956 HB   Leonard Geard   Kettering Town August 1956 [16]
May 1956 HB   Frank Latimer   Gravesend & Northfleet July 1956 [17]
May 1956 FW   James Robertson   Gravesend & Northfleet July 1956 [17]
May 1956 FW   Billy Sperrin   Tunbridge Wells United 1956 [18]
May 1956 FW   George Stobbart   Bedford Town 1956 [19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Brentford results for the 1954–1955 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b c White 1989, p. 218-220.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 383. ISBN 0951526200.
  4. ^ a b "Brentford results for the 1955–1956 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 14-15.
  6. ^ a b "Testimonial Game For Jimmy Bain" (PDF). Brentford Football Club Official Programme v. Swindon Town. 21 August 1956. p. 5. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b Richardson, David. "Fulham 0–3 Brentford: Tim Ream sent off as Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo strike again for Bees". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  8. ^ Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  9. ^ "England Matches – The Amateurs 1947–1962". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Billy Goundry". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Sid Tickridge". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Ken Morgan". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Ron Peplow". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  14. ^ "Len Newcombe". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  15. ^ "Player Appearances and goalscoring records – M". Scottish Football Historical Archive. p. 443. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Len Geard Goes To Kettering". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 3 August 1956.
  17. ^ a b "It's Goodbye To Frank And Jimmy". The Brentford & Chiswick Times. 17 August 1956.
  18. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 152.
  19. ^ Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 155.
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