Jim Towers

[WisBee]

.......................it's funny, I'd never thought of him as a 'Jimmy' he was always a 'Jim'......................

 

[Sydney Rooster]

In some football annuals at the time he was called.. Edwin Towers.
Maybe Jim is his second name.

 

[GEOFFBEE]

That win at Southampton

Regrettably the memory fades a bit after fifty years. I can remember travelling by myself as my friend pulled out with two hours notice and I had already bought the train ticket. Also no segregated crowds in those days so watched the match surrounded by Saints fans. (They were highly p****d off as can be expected). At the time Southampton were one of the better old 3rd. Division South teams and I would have been delighted with a point. Obviously being a mid week evening game there were not that many Bees fans there. Travel was a lot more difficult in those days. Before the kick - off took a fair bit of stick from their fans, such as travelled from London to watch your side get a hiding.

If I recall correctly the Saints weren't exactly dire on the night, but it just seemed every time the Bees attacked we scored. Distinctly remember Jim's four goals, but can't remember who scored the other two. Also if I remember correctly we were 4-0 up after a half hour or so. By the final whistle most of the Saints around me had disappeared. Maybe if I had as well I might have caught the last train home.

Finally flushed with success I went to Colchester shortly after (might even have been the following Saturday) and again the Bees went mad and crushed them 4-0 I think.

In those days there were not many opposition fans who relished their teams fixture with the Bees certainly at Griffin Park.

Great time to be a Bees fan as many teams were really frightened of us.

THanks, Alan d
I believe George McLeod and, of course, George Francis, were the other two Bees scorers.
From 14th Feb 1959 to 27th March 1959 Jim scored 11 goals in 8 league games, and subsequently added a further 6 goals by the end of the season, taking his overall total to 37.
Southampton were champions of that division the following season.

 

[KGB]

I believe that Edwin is actually his first name but he was always known as Jim.

I did see the goalkeeper's hand being broken (or badly hust) - he played on with a very large white bandage on his arm. Oddly I recall it as being Mike Gibson who was making his debut for Shrewsbury but I'm probably wrong on that one?

I also remember seeing him take a freekick at Southend in a midweek game. The goalkeeper didn't see the ball coming & it hit him flush on the chest and spun him right round!

I remember the Southampton result coming through & was lucky enough to be at Colchester for the 4-0 victory.

They were great days, full of entertainment & Jim would certainly always be in my team picked from the last 54 years of regularly watching. He was skilful, strong & two-footed but his left foot was deadly. He had one of the most powerful shots that I've ever seen in that left foot & that was with the old & heavy leather balls! An absolute & indisputable Brentford legend.

 

[Easter 1959]

Maxine, Do we remember Jim Towers - Well with reverence and very fondly would be a good place to start.

Does your dad still live local to Brentford ? - Me thinks he would get a great reception at GP if he attended as Guest of Honor and was presented to the crowd at half time.

This would be a terrific thing to do; it would be great to see him again.

 

[1_J_TABB]

Very sad news r.i.p Legend

 

[hypa123]

Boyhood's nothing without a boyhood hero. For those of us of a certain generation, Jim Towers fit the bill to a tee. A bit of our boyhood just died.

 

[WarrenBee]

Another member of the family gone.

RIP. Jim

 

[Simon C]

RIP. Would a minute's silence on Tuesday night be possible?

 

[Newport Pagnell Bee]

West Wilts will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think one of my dad's all time favourite Bee. God bless Jim. Never saw you play, unfortunately.

 

[Banana]

RIP. Would a minute's silence on Tuesday night be possible?

For probably our greatest player ever? I would hope so.

 

[Billy Hunt]

RIP Jim

 

[condorman]

Very sad to hear of Jim's passing away. An absolute legend whose goalscoring record speaks for itself

 

[bees66]

very sad news RIP legend

 

[larrysigny]

I hope my piece in the current Beesoted magazine conveyed how I felt about him.

He was a great player - a great Bee - and a great hero of many, including me.

 

[Mr Tree]

sad news. RIP Jim

 

[West Wilts Bee]

RIP Jim.

 

[homerbees]

RIP Jim. Brentford legend.

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

oh no! Rest In Peace Jim. more awful news. Brentford legend.

 

[Bee49]

Just before my call-up for national service in 1960 I drank in the White Hart in Whitton and enjoyed the company of JimTowers,Ken Coote and John Rainford.
It was for me like sitting with royality and to think they are no longer with us but never will we forget their time at our club.God bless them and thanks for the memories.:sad:

 

[oldgreenfordian]

I'm sure that the Club will see fit to recognise the passing of such an immense figure before the Everton game.
RIP Jim.

 

[Bee4ever]

Just before my call-up for national service in 1960 I drank in the White Hart in Whitton and enjoyed the company of JimTowers,Ken Coote and John Rainford.
It was for me like sitting with royality and to think they are no longer with us but never will we forget their time at our club.God bless them and thanks for the memories.:sad:

I also have a very similar memory from 1960.

Just before I went off for my RAF service I had a temporary job working for a road mending company and we were doing road repairs in Old Isleworth.It was pouring with rain and we were sheltering in our roadside hut.We could see in the distance a load of runners all wearing red and white striped shirts.As they approached I realised it was Brentford players on a training run.(No flash training kits or training grounds in those days)....All the legends were there.Jim,Ken,Johnny and the rest......they paused a while and we chatted to them....magical times.....RIP to all of them no longer with us.

 

[YorkBee]

Rest in peace Jim a true legend My sincere condolences to the Towers family

 

[jlove]

A sad loss.

Probably one of the primary reasons for being a life-long Brentford supporter was Jim, my boyhood hero.

My condolences to his family.

 

[westbaybee]

I think one of my dad's all time favourite Bee.

Same here - I grew up knowing that this man was a true Bees legend. Sincere condolences to all his family. RIP Jim.

 

[GEOFFBEE]

JIm, we will never forget you...

This is the news I did not want to hear.It is like a bit of my childhood has been taken away.
Jim was a consistently prolific and powerful striker , with a venomous shot , and his value to Brentford FC was immense. A guy who could score-and make- so many goals , over so many seasons ,would be priceless today.Forming a lethal striking partnership with George Francis, the pair became known throughout football as 'The Terrible Twins', and their goalscoring exploits were legendary.
In later life I had the privilege of meeting him several times, and greatly enjoyed his frank talking, sharp wit and gentlemanly manner. He continued to follow the fortunes of the club after he retired from football, and visited Griffin Park , from time to time, up until quite recently.
He was, incidentally, very supportive of the club's supporters and their aims, and was one of the former Brentford players who came along to the Civic Centre to help the launch of Bees United.
Jim, you gave us so many great memories. You will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.
R.I.P. Jim Towers

 

[mick]

God bless

R.I.P Mr Towers

 

[RodBee]

Very sad news - a major part of my formative years were spent watching the 'Terrible Twins' playing (and training during the school holidays).

Jim, like the rest of the stars, was always friendly and approachable to us youngsters and terrorised opposition defences with the awesome goals he scored.

Rest In Peace Jim in the knowledge that you have given a lot of us many hours of pleasure and a lifetime of fond memories.

Condolences to all of the family he leaves behind.

 

[RANCHO MIRAGE BEE]

As has been said very sad news. Jim & George Francis were legends when I first went to
Griffin Park with my dad remember them well.

R.I.P. Jim.

 

[TW3Bee]

The word 'Legend' is banded about willy nilly these days, but although I'm too young to have seen him play Jim must surely be one olf the Brentford Legends.

282 appearences and 163 goals.

The All-Time Leading goalscorer for Brentford.

R.I.P. Jim.

My thoughts are with your family.

A very sad time for BFC another loss.

 

[hobbsy]

Very sad loss, far too young to have seen him play but having heard over the years how he was loved and revered by the older fans and seeing many things written about him in the various books that have come out over the years, I wish that I had had the privilege to seen him grace a Bees shirt.

RIP Jim.

 

[Hollins]

My boyhood hero. As I remember, all his goals were from 25 yards and he scored in every game (that is boyhood memories). I met him once when walking home from school. He walked too fast for me and I had to jog along to keep up. I can't remember what he said but he was a really nice bloke.

I also used to see George Francis on my way to school as he walked down to catch the bus to Brentford. I was wearing my supporters badge on my blazer and I assume he saw that as he always said 'hello'.

I feel really sad at Jim's passing.

 

[daddybee]

RIP Jim

 

[love and mercy]

met him a few years ago in the Globe
He signed my 100 years of Brentford book.
R.I.P. Jim

 

[nick logan]

More bad news, RIP Jim.

 

[Brentford 4 Life]

Such a loss, a true legend. Rest in Peace Jim.

 

[Houghton Bee]

A minutes applause is a must for Jim at some point. too young to have seen him play but the statistics say enough. RIP.

 

[Sweepy]

Very sad news. RIP Jim

 

[andy58bee]

Does Anyone Remember My Father Jimmy Towers

Started Supporting the Bees in 1958 so remember the Towers/Francis partnership well. Feel very sad now, but at the same time smiling at the wonderful memories. R.I.P Jim, a true legend

 

[moribee]

My first game Feb 1959 another legend gone rest in peace my old hero

 

[wanderer paul]

RIP

Condolences to the family.

 

[GNBee]

RIP Jim Towers.
A real Bees hero. Jim together with George Francis were the most feared strikers in the Division .
I suspect Jim would have had success in Division 2 or even higher.
A true legend and and a gentleman. I feel privilidged to have seen you play.

 

[Ken Richardson]

My sincere condolences Maxine to you and your family. Your dad was a true Bees icon who has left us with some wonderful memories. God bless you big Jim.

 

[Davee]

Jim Towers RIP

My father said he was a great player, a big loss to the Brentford family.

RIP Mr Towers

 

[Savannah Bee]

Jim Towers the very spirit of Brentford.

 

[West Wilts Bee]

Why is this news not on the official website?:sad:

 

[BRbee]

Jim Towers was one of my top boyhood heroes.

How well I remember that great team of the late fifties – Cakebread, Wilson, Horne, Bristow, Dargie, Coote, Parsons (or Heath) Rainford, Francis, Towers and Newcombe. What a team , what memories – Jim Towers’ spectacular goals among them.

Jim was a former Brentford Junior along with many others from that team. He had a great goalscoring record and a true Brentford legend.

Jim Towers will be missed.

 

[Brentford4]

Started Supporting the Bees in 1958 so remember the Towers/Francis partnership well. Feel very sad now, but at the same time smiling at the wonderful memories. R.I.P Jim, a true legend

The same year as me and I could not have put it any better.

 

[EdEdd&Eddy]

So sorry to hear this sad news.

RIP Jim Towers

 

[marlowbee]

RIP Jim, You are one who could truly be called a legend, my thoughts are with
the family.