John O'Mara

[SH]

By way of positive preparation for Darlo, have been reading my new Timeless Bees pen portraits of the great past players. Was amazed to read that when we signed the immortal John O’Mara he was only 24 (I was only 10 and assumed he was much older). Was even more surprised to see there was no GPG forum on him (if there is, apologies).

Here’s the point: He scored 30 goals in 57 games in 18 months for us, prior to the unbelievable sale to Blackburn for £50,000. At Blackburn he scored something like a dozen goals at a goal every three games, but seems to have fiercely divided fans’ opinion. I had never appreciated that he left Blackburn at the end of the 73/74 campaign and joined Chelmsford. Bar three games for Bradford he didn’t play League football again.

So basically he played less than 100 league games, scoring at nearly a goal every couple of games and yet was finished with League football by about 27. I was only a kid at the time, but with hindsight this seems bizarre or is my memory too rose-tinted?.

Can any older GPG’ers shed any light on this? Similarly, have there been any fanzine articles?

 

[Paul O'Brien]

Good call on JO'M.

A great, strong player with big sideburns. Perfect for us at that time; would have been sent off after about 5 minutes every game these days. (Even in the 70s he did get booked etc pretty regularly).

I was 16 when I started watching the Bees, and he was my first hero here along with Docherty and Graham. I was gutted when he went to 'burn - one of the reasons we went straight back down I felt at the time - and I expected to see him romp up the scoring chart then too. It could have been that their style didn't suit him: he depended very much on crosses and charging at them with his head: a more thoughtful style may not have been right for him.

I've a feeling that he came back as a guest for a couple of games, including a testimonial in the late 80s or so?

 

[Wise old Bee]

Starting a thread like this always brings out people of my generation. I thought he went for £30K but it was a real kick in the nuts at the time. I believe he finished with football and was running a small hotel in Broadstairs or somewhere. There are parallels with the Holdsworth/Murray Jones scenario as we never replaced O'Mara and suffered as a result. Andy Woon wasn't a bad player but it was asking too much of him and as for Stan Webb.......

 

[Banshee Mildew]

He was the first Brentford player from my childhood memories...I would love to have a player of his ilk as our CF these days. This thread remided me that I have "The Sun" 3-D card of him at home.

 

[GEOFFBEE]

He was a fantastic header of the ball-one of the very best I have ever seen.He used his height( 6ft 4 inches) to great advantage, being probably the tallest player in the Football League at that time.He was also extremely quick, having won a sprint championship of other London players, and he could also hit a ball quite well, scoring a cracking drive against Southend at Griffin Park.He particularly benefitted from the artful and accurate crosses from Bees winger John Docherty.
It was a great loss when we sold him, and, yes, it was one of the main factors we were relegated in 1972/73
His failing was that he often talked his way into trouble with opponents and referees, plus, being such a tall player his touch was not great.
I believe, after Blackburn Rovers, he did join Bradford City, and a few seasons later joined Margate and then Dover in Non League.
I last saw him in the bar at Addlestone FC following their 5-0 thrashing of Dover, in 1980.White-haired by then, he hardly had a touch of the ball during that match, and was but a shadow of the player who graced Griffin Park, and who had given many Bees fans such happy memories...

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

I'd never really thought about his age, but had sort of assumed he was younger as we were his first league club. Good memories for me as his team was the first promotion team I saw

In that promotion season, we weren't a one-main team, but we sometimes looked a one-man attack due to his ability to score from nowhere. If not for his suspensions, we might have walked the old Div 4. Scored quite a few with direct headers from corners which suggests that marking wasn't too good (I remember his habit of pretending to tie his laces while the corner-taker was preparing, hoping that defenders would forget about him).

It also shows how players are much bigger now: he was probably 6'3" or thereabouts, but looked as much bigger than opponents/team-mates as Crouch does now.

Disastrous decision to sell him, left us with little chance of staying up; I think Alan Murray was our top scorer with 6 that season in Div 3.

I think injury/health ended his career early, though seem to recall rumours that his off-field behaviour may have contributed to it

 

[Brickie Chap]

He was the first Brentford player from my childhood memories...I would love to have a player of his ilk as our CF these days. This thread remided me that I have "The Sun" 3-D card of him at home.

The Royal Oak and the real New Road before safety bods ruined GP

 

[sonofabee]

John O'Mara was also one of my first heroes and an unlikely looking footballer, as ungainly with a gait as strange as Mark Phillips but once he got motoring he was very quick and was brillinat in the air and had a hammerfoot of a shot.
He was only beaten in the scoring charts by Peter Price at Peterborough and we lost him pre season to Blackburn and as someone else mentioned never replaced him. There were a few colourful characters kicking a ball then......

Reading had their own cult hero at the time in Robin Friday who we refused when offered by Hayes. He was not a typical footballer and probably would have set records for red cards if playing now but at his peak was so good he was almost unplayable. Cardiff were a much bigger club than Reading then and signed him. He did OK but never fufilled his potential and was tragically found dead in his house linked to drugs at a very young age.

 

[Alan D]

If I remember correctly he scored a couple or more goals against Blackburn shortly before he left us to sign for them. I also remember the game at GP, before the Blackburn game, when a very pleasant gentleman from Blackburn sat next to me and was asking a lot questions about big John throughout the afternoon. I Often wondered afterwards if he was a Blackburn scout preparing the ground for the move.

 

[TW1Bee]

I think he liked a drink. he was always first changed and in the bar after away games. Those were the days when we travelled away and could always get into the social clubs behind the main stand at many clubs

 

[BizzyBee]

"He particularly benefitted from the artful and accurate crosses from Bees winger John Docherty."

My memory is of those crosses coming from Stewart Houston???

 

[Wise old Bee]

Reading had their own cult hero at the time in Robin Friday who we refused when offered by Hayes. He was not a typical footballer and probably would have set records for red cards if playing now but at his peak was so good he was almost unplayable. Cardiff were a much bigger club than Reading then and signed him. He did OK but never fufilled his potential and was tragically found dead in his house linked to drugs at a very young age.

In that book about Friday "The Greatest Player You Never Saw" (I think) written by a former Oasis bass player he says that Friday was bought up around Acton and played for Brentford juniors. I once saw him play at GP for Reading and he was indeed a class act. I have never seen such affinity between a player and supporters as he had that night, nearest would have been Le Tissier at Southampton when they rubbished their team at GP but loved him. O'Mara came close in the time he was with us, as did Mansley. More recently perhaps Terry Evans although I expect others have their own views on recent players.

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

"He particularly benefitted from the artful and accurate crosses from Bees winger John Docherty."

My memory is of those crosses coming from Stewart Houston???

Mostly Docherty, or long-balls from FBs Hawley/Bence and Scales; also corners from Jackie Graham. Houston mostly played CB, sometimes up front (mostly when O'Mara suspended)

 

[sonofabee]

"He particularly benefitted from the artful and accurate crosses from Bees winger John Docherty."

My memory is of those crosses coming from Stewart Houston???

Stewart Houston played in the same team but the service was largely supplied by John Doc and I recall a great caricature of John scoring from a Docherty cross exaggerating the diifference in their sizes.

 

[sonofabee]

In that book about Friday "The Greatest Player You Never Saw" (I think) written by a former Oasis bass player he says that Friday was bought up around Acton and played for Brentford juniors. I once saw him play at GP for Reading and he was indeed a class act. I have never seen such affinity between a player and supporters as he had that night, nearest would have been Le Tissier at Southampton when they rubbished their team at GP but loved him. O'Mara came close in the time he was with us, as did Mansley. More recently perhaps Terry Evans although I expect others have their own views on recent players.

Terry Hurlock probably would have been similar but you're right Friday was idolised by the caravan dwellers as truly one of them

 

[bees66]

was it John O'Mara that use to shoot at the goal everytime we kicked off in a game from the half way line?

 

[North London Bee]

I think we nearly re-signed him when he was playing in South Africa but John Docherty was fired and Bill Dodgin did not want him back.

 

[ninebelowzero]

my first brentford hero roger cross and gordon phillips were closs but big john was the best

 

[Willo]

I've got a couple of them Sun 3D cards

 

[North London Bee]

He was a total donkey when we signed him from Wimbledon who somehow turned into a worldbeater.

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Can any older GPG’ers shed any light on this? Similarly, have there been any fanzine articles?

I spoke to him a couple of years back for an article in the programme. I'll try and dig it out next week.

 

[chippendale]

My first real hero, but he was a hard player.

 

[SH]

I spoke to him a couple of years back for an article in the programme. I'll try and dig it out next week.

Many thanks. My first GP hero. In that exclusive club with the likes of Supermac, Danis, Jimmee, Andy Sinton, Simon Ratcliffe, the Gypsy, Big Tel, Deano. Happy days!

 

[ChinaBee]

Were we top or near the top of the old Div 3 when we sold him to Blackburn who were in our division and went on to get promoted while we were relegated??

A great player and again among one of my first heroes, my first ever away game to Gillingham when he and Yeo were battling for leading goalscorer for the division

I think this is right(old age)

 

[North London Bee]

Were we top or near the top of the old Div 3 when we sold him to Blackburn who were in our division and went on to get promoted while we were relegated??

A great player and again among one of my first heroes, my first ever away game to Gillingham when he and Yeo were battling for leading goalscorer for the division

I think this is right(old age)

Near top after a couple of home wins - 4-0 v Blackburn ironically but it was right at the start of the season.

 

[DavidgRushden]

He was a typical old style centre forward - in other words don't go round your opponents - go through them, and he did! Head down and bash your way through, and for that reason wouldn't have got away with it in today's game. I was told, that one of the reasons he was "allowed" to leave by the club,at the time, was that he had a real bust-up with Stewart Houston, and the club had to get rid of one or the other, and it was O'Mara who went.I had that from a good authority at the time, but it was a shame to see such a good goalscorer go.

 

[sleekerslee]

Frank Blunstone didnt want to sell O'Mara. He wanted to pair him with Roger Cross during 71/72 ,as they complimented each other, but had to sell Cross at start of season - so relied heavily on O'Mara to get us up. Then at the start of 72/73 was forced to sell him, but was eventually allowed to resign Cross. Frank Blunstone knows more than any one how previous boards have tried to ruin the club for self interest.

 

[Wise old Bee]

Frank Blunstone didnt want to sell O'Mara. He wanted to pair him with Roger Cross during 71/72 ,as they complimented each other, but had to sell Cross at start of season - so relied heavily on O'Mara to get us up. Then at the start of 72/73 was forced to sell him, but was eventually allowed to resign Cross. Frank Blunstone knows more than any one how previous boards have tried to ruin the club for self interest.

This makes sense looking back now, Cross was a big bloke but not a natural target man and didn't get many with his head. I wonder what would have happened if Blunstone hadn't left? Everett was a decent bloke, dealt a poor hand by the board, but Jim Langley would have been the better choice at the time.

 

[North London Bee]

This makes sense looking back now, Cross was a big bloke but not a natural target man and didn't get many with his head. I wonder what would have happened if Blunstone hadn't left? Everett was a decent bloke, dealt a poor hand by the board, but Jim Langley would have been the better choice at the time.

Always thought ME was the cheap option but am too young to remember who the short list was. Had no memory of Langley being mentioned.

 

[Wise old Bee]

Always thought ME was the cheap option but am too young to remember who the short list was. Had no memory of Langley being mentioned.

Langley was deffo in the frame I'm sure although this could, on reflection, be after Sirrell left. Langley was local, ex-QPR, and had done well at Hillingdon as player/manager during a decent period for them although he had packed in playing in the late 60s. Losing players like O'Mara and Ross did for us that season.

 

[North London Bee]

Langley was deffo in the frame I'm sure although this could, on reflection, be after Sirrell left. Langley was local, ex-QPR, and had done well at Hillingdon as player/manager during a decent period for them although he had packed in playing in the late 60s. Losing players like O'Mara and Ross did for us that season.

There was that wonderful quote from George Sands who was bitter about the lack of ambition of the directors - promotion the previous season was seen as an aberation that was swiftly rectified!

 

[Baby Boomer Bee]

I reckon I saw most of John O'Mara's home games for the Bees and some away games too. I have nothing but positive memories of big John but there are times when your memory re-arranges stuff over time to suit your own particular likes and dislikes. There is no doubt in my mind that Big John benefitted enormously from wee John Docherty's skill down the flanks, hence a lot of his goals came from his head the Doc being the provider of accurate crosses. Whilst he certainly put himself about John O'Mara was not a dirty player. Of all the Brentford players over too many decades for me John O'Mara was a legendary player for the Bees and one we should always be indebted too, without him we would not have got promoted in the early seventies.

 

[Steve G]

Frank Blunstone didnt want to sell O'Mara. He wanted to pair him with Roger Cross during 71/72 ,as they complimented each other, but had to sell Cross at start of season - so relied heavily on O'Mara to get us up. Then at the start of 72/73 was forced to sell him, but was eventually allowed to resign Cross. Frank Blunstone knows more than any one how previous boards have tried to ruin the club for self interest.

Forward line of Docherty, Cross and O'Mara would have ripped Division 3 defences to shreds and the Bees would have gone up to Division 2 with crowds of 20,000+. Great manager at that time, great support and a complete bunch of tossers running the club posing as Directors.

 

[KGB]

Scored some fantastic goals for us, aided by the inimitable 'Doc', and was a complete 'one off'. As NLB says above, he looked like a donkey when he joined us but looked like a worldbeater the following season.

Remember the fine individual goal vs Southend referred to by Geoffbee, a great goal (right foot shot) against Darlo, I think, after a sweeping pitch long move, a header away at Aldershot after returning from suspension and many more.

He was not a dirty player but was usually booked for dissent. Saw him get sent off at Hillingdon in a pre-season friendly at Hillingdon, which led to a suspension, for throwing the ball down after a ref's decision. I wonder whether this led to his transfer to Blackburn soon afterwards? - although we always used to grab the money!

Shortly after he went to Blackburn, I saw a TV story about Blackburn trying to 'turn him into a footballer'. I felt that that was a real concern & may have led to his subsequent lack of success. He was already a 'footballer' - fast, big, strong, an excellent header, and a powerful shot - but he was also unconventional - a complete one-off. He looked unco-ordinated but he was very effective & Blunstone recognised this & wisely played to his strengths with enormous success.

 

[TeeJayBee]

Donkey to hero

Scored some fantastic goals for us, aided by the inimitable 'Doc', and was a complete 'one off'. As NLB says above, he looked like a donkey when he joined us but looked like a worldbeater the following season.

I think Frank Blunstone worked with Johns O'M and Doc through that summer so that the following season the crosses came in at the right height -despite his 6'4 O'M jumped and the defenders had no chance.

Remember the fine individual goal vs Southend referred to by Geoffbee, a great goal (right foot shot) against Darlo, I think, after a sweeping pitch long move

- I have memories of a goal which might have been this one (v Darlo). Brian Turner (New Zealand international midfielder) won the ball in the D of our penalty area (Brook Road end) and passed out to Bence on the right who was moving forward from full back. Bence took the ball to around the half way line then send over a pin point cross into the middle. O'Mara was steaming forward full pelt and hit the ball right footed on the half volley without breaking stride (from about 25/30 yards). The ball crashed into the net and the keeper hardly moved.

He was not a dirty player but was usually booked for dissent.

And frustatingly often - in those days suspensions were for weeks rather than games - if only he could have kept his mouth shut ...

Saw him get sent off at Hillingdon in a pre-season friendly at Hillingdon, which led to a suspension, for throwing the ball down after a ref's decision.

 

[HertfordBee]

Always thought ME was the cheap option but am too young to remember who the short list was. Had no memory of Langley being mentioned.

I believe that Martin Allen's dad (Dennis) was on the short-list for the job when Mike Everitt got it.

As far as John O'Mara is concerned, there was a story doing the rounds at the time that during half-time of the game at Crewe at Easter in the 1971/72 season, O'Mara had a bust-up with Frank Blunstone. Rumours suggested he lifted Blunstone up by his collar and pinned him to the wall!!! Big John didn't appear for the second half and maybe that was the beginning of the end for him.

Whether that is true or not I don't know for sure but one thing is for certain - when Blackburn offered money for him, the Brentford board didn't waste any time in snapping their hand off, regardless of what it meant for the team's survival in division three.

 

[North London Bee]

I believe that Martin Allen's dad (Dennis) was on the short-list for the job when Mike Everitt got it.

As far as John O'Mara is concerned, there was a story doing the rounds at the time that during half-time of the game at Crewe at Easter in the 1971/72 season, O'Mara had a bust-up with Frank Blunstone. Rumours suggested he lifted Blunstone up by his collar and pinned him to the wall!!! Big John didn't appear for the second half and maybe that was the beginning of the end for him.

Whether that is true or not I don't know for sure but one thing is for certain - when Blackburn offered money for him, the Brentford board didn't waste any time in snapping their hand off, regardless of what it meant for the team's survival in division three.

par for the course by the board in those days

 

[EnglishBee]

In all the many years that I've followed the Bees, there have only been two great goalscorers - Dean Holdsworth, and the inimitable John O'Mara.

When we had Big John, corners were virtually worth a goal, he was that dominant in the air. I remember an Arsenal fan sat behind me at one home game, and excitedly declared: "He's the Radford of the Fourth Division!" (a reference to John Radford). And for a time, we were knocking in 4, 5, or even 6 goals a game.

After a single incredible season, John O'Mara was sold to Blackburn Rovers for £60,000. In their wisdom, Rovers tried to turn him into a midfielder. This policy failed, and they allowed him to drift away.

At that time Dennis Piggott was the Brentford Club Secretary (Dennis saved us from being amalgamated with QPR in 1967). One fine day, O'Mara turned up at Griffin Park, and asked to sign for the Bees once more. Incredibly, so I was told, Piggott refused to pay him a signing-on fee. So John never played for us again.

I don't often go to away games, but when we had Big John, a friend and myself drove down to somewhere like Southend, to watch the Bees. As usual John terrorised their defence, and we won at a canter. All through that game, the Bees fans sang:

"John O'Mara, superstar,
How many goals have you scored so far?"

I have never forgotten that song, sung over and over again (we even sang it on the way home!).

And no Bees fan, who saw John O'Mara rampaging through defences that single season, will ever forget Big John O'Mara!

 

[brooks]

In all the many years that I've followed the Bees, there have only been two great goalscorers - Dean Holdsworth, and the inimitable John O'Mara.

When we had Big John, corners were virtually worth a goal, he was that dominant in the air. I remember an Arsenal fan sat behind me at one home game, and excitedly declared: "He's the Radford of the Fourth Division!" (a reference to John Radford). And for a time, we were knocking in 4, 5, or even 6 goals a game.

After a single incredible season, John O'Mara was sold to Blackburn Rovers for £60,000. In their wisdom, Rovers tried to turn him into a midfielder. This policy failed, and they allowed him to drift away.

At that time Dennis Piggott was the Brentford Club Secretary (Dennis saved us from being amalgamated with QPR in 1967). One fine day, O'Mara turned up at Griffin Park, and asked to sign for the Bees once more. Incredibly, so I was told, Piggott refused to pay him a signing-on fee. So John never played for us again.

I don't often go to away games, but when we had Big John, a friend and myself drove down to somewhere like Southend, to watch the Bees. As usual John terrorised their defence, and we won at a canter. All through that game, the Bees fans sang:

"John O'Mara, superstar,
How many goals have you scored so far?"

I have never forgotten that song, sung over and over again (we even sang it on the way home!).

And no Bees fan, who saw John O'Mara rampaging through defences that single season, will ever forget Big John O'Mara!

So what did Ron Blindell do?

 

[vcmazz]

In all the many years that I've followed the Bees, there have only been two great goalscorers - Dean Holdsworth, and the inimitable John O'Mara.

Hmm. Not sure I agree with that. Surely Steve Phillips deserves a mention?

Gordon Sweetzer would have been another I reckon, if the club hadn't reduced me to tears by selling him for twenty five grand.

 

[bees66]

Hmm. Not sure I agree with that. Surely Steve Phillips deserves a mention?

not so sure, 4th Division he was excellent but 3rd not good at all

 

[NigeriaRay]

In all the many years that I've followed the Bees, there have only been two great goalscorers - Dean Holdsworth, and the inimitable John O'Mara.

When we had Big John, corners were virtually worth a goal, he was that dominant in the air. I remember an Arsenal fan sat behind me at one home game, and excitedly declared: "He's the Radford of the Fourth Division!" (a reference to John Radford). And for a time, we were knocking in 4, 5, or even 6 goals a game.

After a single incredible season, John O'Mara was sold to Blackburn Rovers for £60,000. In their wisdom, Rovers tried to turn him into a midfielder. This policy failed, and they allowed him to drift away.

At that time Dennis Piggott was the Brentford Club Secretary (Dennis saved us from being amalgamated with QPR in 1967). One fine day, O'Mara turned up at Griffin Park, and asked to sign for the Bees once more. Incredibly, so I was told, Piggott refused to pay him a signing-on fee. So John never played for us again.

I don't often go to away games, but when we had Big John, a friend and myself drove down to somewhere like Southend, to watch the Bees. As usual John terrorised their defence, and we won at a canter. All through that game, the Bees fans sang:

"John O'Mara, superstar,
How many goals have you scored so far?"

I have never forgotten that song, sung over and over again (we even sang it on the way home!).

And no Bees fan, who saw John O'Mara rampaging through defences that single season, will ever forget Big John O'Mara!

When my dad first took to me to GP in 71/72, John O'Mara instantly became a hero - big bloke, didn't stand any nonsense & scored goals. I remember him being sold for 30k, not 60k which was possibly the start of our best players being sold for peanuts.

As a star struck 11 or 12 year old, I wrote to him when he was at Blackburn -
he always responded, one time telling me that a move back to the Bees was on the cards, but had fallen through.

I believe he emigrated to South Africa at some point & then returned to Kent. In the late 80's, I worked at the Channel Tunnel project & a lot of the lads there who were ex Bettshanger Colliery, knew him.

He wasn't a Bee for very long, but he was the single most reason I got the "bug" and remain a Brentford fan nearly 40 years later

 

[North London Bee]

I wonder if there is a "Robin Friday" type book to write about John O'Mara.

It sounds like he has not had the easiest of lives and his football career just came and went like a meteor.

I would really like to know much more about his background and what happened after the football was over.

 

[vcmazz]

I would really like to know much more about his background and what happened after the football was over.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Doesn't seem to be much about him on the old Internet though :shrug:.

 

[Dee Bee]

"John O'Mara, superstar,
How many goals have you scored so far?"

And no Bees fan, who saw John O'Mara rampaging through defences that single season, will ever forget Big John O'Mara!

I'd forgotten about that song, jeez that brings back memories.
Your right EnglishBee. John O'Mara, once seen, never forgotten,
a true Bees legend and my boyhood hero, hence my avatar.

 

[chippendale]

I wonder if there is a "Robin Friday" type book to write about John O'Mara.


I would really like to know much more about his background and what happened after the football was over.

According to the net he was down to attend the Centenary Match in 2004, did he turn up?

 

[bees66]

According to the net he was down to attend the Centenary Match in 2004, did he turn up?

I never saw him but not even from this he didn't
https://griffinpark.org/forums/showpost.php?p=448562&postcount=18

 

[EnglishBee]

So what did Ron Blindell do?

As was widely reported at the time, it was a "done deal", and Brentford would have disappeared. However, the contract required the signature of Dennis Piggott, who was the Club Secretary. But he refused to sign the document.

This gave those that were desperately trying to save the Club a bit of breathing space. During that time, Ron Blindell came up with the money to save us. So thanks are due to both Dennis and Ron. Thanks boys!

 

[Easter 1959]

He was a total donkey when we signed him from Wimbledon who somehow turned into a worldbeater.

I think there was no 'somehow' about it; Frank Blunstone scouted him for ages before signing him for, I believe, £750; it was Frank who personally coached him, taught him how to run into the right spaces using his pace and strength and to feed so effectively off both Roger Cross and John D. Frank's achievements in 1971/72 with a squad of 14 should rank high, high in the list of Brentford Legends.

I reckon the fee from Blackburn was £30000.

I have posted this before but when I heard we'd sold him I found it the most stupid, short sighted decision; he could have been effective in the old Devision Two, never mind Division Three; and I also reckon that in the Spring of 1972 he was on the brink of being included in the Northern Ireland Squad.

One last thing; my Father (been going to GP since the 30s) came in from work and I said 'I don't believe it, we've sold John O'Mara'; his instance response was that 'It's because he is a troublemaker on and off the pitch'. I never believed it because even if he was stroppy the nets he broke in 1971/72 were worth twice the trouble.

And Stan Webb . . . . . . . . . . Frank's only mistake.

 

[sonofabee]

I think there was no 'somehow' about it; Frank Blunstone scouted him for ages before signing him for, I believe, £750; it was Frank who personally coached him, taught him how to run into the right spaces using his pace and strength and to feed so effectively off both Roger Cross and John D. Frank's achievements in 1971/72 with a squad of 14 should rank high, high in the list of Brentford Legends.

I reckon the fee from Blackburn was £30000.

I have posted this before but when I heard we'd sold him I found it the most stupid, short sighted decision; he could have been effective in the old Devision Two, never mind Division Three; and I also reckon that in the Spring of 1972 he was on the brink of being included in the Northern Ireland Squad.

One last thing; my Father (been going to GP since the 30s) came in from work and I said 'I don't believe it, we've sold John O'Mara'; his instance response was that 'It's because he is a troublemaker on and off the pitch'. I never believed it because even if he was stroppy the nets he broke in 1971/72 were worth twice the trouble.

And Stan Webb . . . . . . . . . . Frank's only mistake.

It was criminal to be relegated the following season with the leading goalscorer Alan Murray a midfielder on 6 or 7 goals. We then made exactly the same mistake in failing to replace Deano after his goals had won us promotion.