Chris Kamara

[Billy Hunt]

Duh, everyone knows he was a goalkeeper we sold to Gillingham.

There’s only three Paul Smiths, three Paul Smiths…

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Ah but who was the barely remembered third one?

 

[Billy Hunt]

Ah but who was the barely remembered third one?

Paul Stepney Smith, probably ?‍

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Tiny winger. Looked fast but wasn't, just had little legs. Didn't last long.

 

[Billy Hunt]

Tiny winger. Looked fast but wasn't, just had little legs. Didn't last long.

Scored on my first visit to Griffin Park ?
Also, the player I mentioned a few posts before yours ?‍

 

[rebus]

A list of the first 20 footballers of BAME heritage to have a full league debut at Brentford are as follows;

Chris Kamara 31 Oct 1981
Terry Rowe 20 Feb 1982
Francis Joseph 14 Aug 1982
Keith Cassells 12 Feb 1983
Tony Lynch 8 Oct 1983
Bobby Fisher 18 Feb 1984
Roger Joseph 19 May 1985
Tony Obi 30 Aug 1986
Henry Hughton 27 Sep 1986
Keith Jones 5 Sep 1987
Roger Stanislaus 29 Sep 1987
Paul Williams 20 Oct 1987
Paul Smith 1987
Les Ferdinand 26 Mar 1988
Richard Cadette 27 Aug 1988
Marcus Gayle 22 Oct 1988
Kevin Godfrey 29 Oct 1988
Tony Sealy 18 Mar 1989
Andy Ansah 24 Mar 1989
Robert Peters 3 Mar 1990

However, a reminder about Terry Rowe. Terry appeared, before Chris Kamara was signed, in friendly matches during the months of July & August 1980 [this was the first year the Juniors were reintroduced by Fred Callaghan] and also in friendlies during February, March and April 1981.

What I haven't discovered, as of yet, is, were there any reserve or junior players, prior to Terry Rowe, who appeared for the Bees in friendly, reserve or junior matches from 1946 to 1980?

Danis Salman? Was Tony Collins black who appeared for us as an amateur in the 1940s?

 

[Sultan]

Ah but who was the barely remembered third one?

You mean the one we signed from Arsenal?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

You mean the one we signed from Arsenal?

That's him.

 

[sonofabee]

Danis Salman? Was Tony Collins black who appeared for us as an amateur in the 1940s?

Dani’s was a Turkish Cypriot

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Scored on my first visit to Griffin Park ?
Also, the player I mentioned a few posts before yours ?‍

Please excuse my goldfish approach to the postings on here.

 

[nick logan]

Dani’s was a Turkish Cypriot

yep and went to school in Barking . Drink with pal of his at fenchurch st sometimes

 

[sonofabee]

yep and went to school in Barking . Drink with pal of his at fenchurch st sometimes

Saw him make his debut as a skinny 15 year old but within a couple of seasons he was an accomplished defender.

 

[Glenisterbee]

He covers Plymouth home games for the local paper.

 

[wanderer paul]

Danis Salman? Was Tony Collins black who appeared for us as an amateur in the 1940s?

He was the Acton United (a youth set up associated with Brentford before WW2) player who later appeared for Watford and Sheffield Wednesday. He passed away last year I noticed. So one to add to a list of players with BAME heritage.

 

[rebus]

He was the Acton United (a youth set up associated with Brentford before WW2) player who later appeared for Watford and Sheffield Wednesday. He passed away last year I noticed. So one to add to a list of players with BAME heritage.

I need to check if he was a registered amateur with us, I suspect so.

 

[wibs]

It's bizarre isn't it, and such a positive development over the decades, it used to be a "thing" if a Bame person played or a foreigner of any colour played, now it just occurred to me I cant even think off the top of my head of a white English person that plays for us, they are all just "human beings", which is how it should always have been.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

It's bizarre isn't it, and such a positive development over the decades, it used to be a "thing" if a Bame person played or a foreigner of any colour played, now it just occurred to me I cant even think off the top of my head of a white English person that plays for us, they are all just "human beings", which is how it should always have been.

Ben Mee. ? I hope in ten years we can say the same about gay footballers (if we must know their sexuality).

 

[wibs]

Oh yeah!

I think the problem with coming out as gay isn't necessarily the homophobia, as most people are over it now and just don't care, it's that you inadvertently become a spokesman for the gay movement and do you really want all that hassle.

 

[sonofabee]

It's bizarre isn't it, and such a positive development over the decades, it used to be a "thing" if a Bame person played or a foreigner of any colour played, now it just occurred to me I cant even think off the top of my head of a white English person that plays for us, they are all just "human beings", which is how it should always have been.

I was going to reply Rico, Ben, Ethan, Shandon and Ivan then I realised that they’re not all white. They’re English, that’s all that matters

 

[IslandBee]

Oh yeah!

I think the problem with coming out as gay isn't necessarily the homophobia, as most people are over it now and just don't care, it's that you inadvertently become a spokesman for the gay movement and do you really want all that hassle.

Mmmm .. not so sure tbh. Male culture is still quite strongly heterosexual in my experience, particularly among some social groups, and I think any gay footballers out there are probably right in fearing they would face difficult times in coming out. There would undoubtedly be a lot of support for them, and condemnation of any hostility would quickly put it back in its box I suspect, but it would not be easy.

 

[sonofabee]

Mmmm .. not so sure tbh. Male culture is still quite strongly heterosexual in my experience, particularly among some social groups, and I think any gay footballers out there are probably right in fearing they would face difficult times in coming out. There would undoubtedly be a lot of support for them, and condemnation of any hostility would quickly put it back in its box I suspect, but it would not be easy.

Agree 100%, the big challenge is the huge anticipation and media focus on the first high profile current player to come out.
It almost feels like the way ahead would be if a collective group were happy to announce pre season that they weren’t heterosexual and that was the only comment they were prepared to make. Football focus don’t question existing players about their girlfriends on football shows and I have no interest in watching a non football programme about their lifestyles and preferences.
The media could help make this work if they didn’t target people once it becomes public which is why I suspect there are a number of footballers not prepared to put up with unwanted attention.
Its reported 1 in 10 of us are not heterosexual, I suspect it’s significantly less in football but even if 1 in 25, given most squads are 25 strong, that’s potentially 92 pioneers in the Football league that means the pressure is shared and dispersed?
For what it’s worth I imagine a lot of trans and players will know a lot of players who may be gay and don’t even give it a second thought as this generation have been brought up with it being ok.

 

[horshambees]

whenever he's been on tele he has nothing but negative things to say about us......really weird as he was a fans favourite in his time with us......was part of a really decent team too

also, gave the kiss of life to one our fans (who still goes) in the braemar road after a bristol rovers game in 84 when they attacked him after the game............on a side note to that one of the rovers thugs walked into the hive before that incident and offered everyone out....cue a bee walking over and knocking him out with one punch lol lol

I remember that day very well.
And that fan still goes.
People wonder why I hate that club with a passion.


Anyway Chris Kamara.
Used to get us complimentary tickets when ever we asked him.
Never let us down either.

 

[FlyBee]

Congrats on the MBE Chris!

 

[Vid]

Member of the Brentford Empire.

 

[GU24 Bee]

Chris Kamara will be going onto the pitch tomorrow before the Leeds v Brentford game to say a thank you for both set of fans.
Has to be one of my all time Brentford players, was playing when i started watching the Bees in the early 80’s.

“Chris Kamara, Chris Kamara - la la la”

 

[badgerbee]

Chris Kamara will be going onto the pitch tomorrow before the Leeds v Brentford game to say a thank you for both set of fans.
Has to be one of my all time Brentford players, was playing when i started watching the Bees in the early 80’s.

“Chris Kamara, Chris Kamara - la la la”

Slightly amended for you:

"Ker-is Kamara, Chris Kamara, la, la ,la, la, la, laaaa!!"

 

[Untouchable]

Brilliant

 

[Untouchable]

 

[Paul_T]

Lovely feature on Kammy in the Guardian today

 

[Hullbee]

Lovely feature on Kammy in the Guardian today

Thanks for the link ?

 

[Mattingly Bee]

One of my favourite Brentford players. Absolutely loved him and still do. What a man. It’s a bit late for pollen but the hay fever seems to be kicking in again.

 

[Freebee]

Just listened to a fantastic interview with him on Andy Goldstein & Darren Bent.
He sounds like he's really doing well.

Can catch it on listen again around 4.30 onwards.

 

[Untouchable]

Interview on GMB

 

[alikat]

Interview on GMB

Getting a bit dusty here. Love to Kammy, it must be a horrible disease to live with.

 

[Hedley Lamarr]

Big article in The Times today, he is doing well

 

[cd1994]

Cant remember whether or not i've posted in this thread before but met Kammy in Cinammon Lounge in Isleworth ages ago and hes just as nice and friendly in real life as he is on tv, great guy

 

[northdevonbee]

Love that man, he has always been so humble, player, pundit, human being. Would be humbled myself to share some time with him. Forever part of the Bees family

 

[Ashford Bees]

Was fortunate to be sat in front of Kammy in Marseille at 2016 Euros. More than happy to talk to us throughout the match and is a really decent, down to earth bloke.

 

[Glenisterbee]

Bless him. Lovely man.

 

[alikat]

I always look back at the great early eighties midfield of Kamara, Hurlock and Bowles and wonder how we never got promotion at that time, but sadly the quality of the forwards for most of their time at the club left something to be desired.

It was a shame that Mahoney got injured when we were going so well in the 82/83 season.

 

[grepo]

Some of my best football memories were watching Chris captaining the Bees at G.P. What a man. What a role model. Well done, Chris, for your career, your bravery, your so well deserved MBE and all your magnificent charity work and support for Marie Curie. You're a Hero.

 

[wanderer paul]

A legend, at all the clubs he played for. One of my many favourite players at BFC.

I hope BFC has time to help in whatever he needs?

 

[Glenisterbee]

Bless him. Lovely man.

I always look back at the great early eighties midfield of Kamara, Hurlock and Bowles and wonder how we never got promotion at that time, but sadly the quality of the forwards for most of their time at the club left something to be desired.

It was a shame that Mahoney got injured when we were going so well in the 82/83 season.

The forwards more than performed. We scored 107 goals in 82/83. The defence was bloody awful.

 

[Wise old Bee]

Bless him. Lovely man.

The forwards more than performed. We scored 107 goals in 82/83. The defence was bloody awful.

If David McKellar had stayed it might've been different. I often wonder how many games Kamara, Bowles, and Hurlock actually played together.

 

[benfleetbee]

If David McKellar had stayed it might've been different. I often wonder how many games Kamara, Bowles, and Hurlock actually played together.

Kamara, Bowles and Hurlock played about 70 league and cup games together.

 

[North London Bee]

Bless him. Lovely man.

The forwards more than performed. We scored 107 goals in 82/83. The defence was bloody awful.

Graham Wilkins was poor, as was Alan Whitehead and we lost Danis Salman through injury all season. Paddy Roche was totally unpredictable and not particularly reliable too.

 

[alikat]

We scored 107 goals in 82/83. The defence was bloody awful.

True, but I was thinking more of 81/82 when our strike force consisted of Booker, Bowen and Johnson!

 

[Glenisterbee]

True, but I was thinking more of 81/82 when our strike force consisted of Booker, Bowen and Johnson!

Fair enough mate, they were barren times.

 

[Glenisterbee]

Graham Wilkins was poor, as was Alan Whitehead and we lost Danis Salman through injury all season. Paddy Roche was totally unpredictable and not particularly reliable too.

I met Graham Wilkins at Heathrow once, he was working as a chauffeur. I asked him about his time at the club and he said it was the unhappiest two years of his career.

 

[North London Bee]

I met Graham Wilkins at Heathrow once, he was working as a chauffeur. I asked him about his time at the club and he said it was the unhappiest two years of his career.

I don't think he was ever fully fit.