Peter Gelson

[MayenneBee]

Sorry, but I haven't heard of any mention of him being at the game on Saturday. Now he was Brentford through and through. And he went to my old school at Staveley Road, Chiswick. Is he still with us?

 

[Waterlooville Bee]

My old man went to that school too and was always on about Peter Gelson.
I can vaguely remember seeing him play many moons ago.

 

[DOD]

My old man went to that school too and was always on about Peter Gelson.
I can vaguely remember seeing him play many moons ago.

I can recall Peter Gelson as a Centre Half who was virtually unbeatable in the air and who nobody ever made a mug of - just what we could do with right now....

 

[KGB]

A very hard man & good all-pround player who gave us superb service & played alongside Mel Scott for several years - a brilliant combination of strength & class.
Was under 6 foot tall & that probably stopped him getting higher in the league although he was vv good in the air.
I believe he was working at Heathrow in a security capacity & I wouldn't wish to argue with him!!

 

[Bungy Bee]

Last I heard Peter was working at the Airport.....on the security side of things...would bee about 80 by now.

 

[ChorleyBee]

Late fifties at the most, I would guess.

 

[love and mercy]

Last I heard Peter was working at the Airport.....on the security side of things...would bee about 80 by now.

he's no where near 80 surely

 

[Bee H]

Late fifties at the most, I would guess.

I agree, he moved to Hillingdon Boro' with Hawley and Phillips in 84-5 ish I believe so if he were aged say 35 then ...........

 

[MayenneBee]

was he at the celebrations on Saturday.

Just to say, agree with all that's been said here. HE WAS A LEGEND! even though he did have the ability to clear the Ealing Road terrace with a penalty every now and then.

 

[Paul O'Brien]

Surely 74-75ish, not 84-85ish? He'd be about 60-65 now, I think

 

[mk1965]

Superb player and gave his all.

 

[TOMOGP]

Last I heard Peter was working at the Airport.....on the security side of things...would bee about 80 by now.

Firstly no way is he 80 odd more like late 50s early 60s yes he was at the airport but then heard that he went to work in middle east I think

 

[Newport Pagnell Bee]

He was my hero. Best centre half I ever saw at GP (sorry Tel). I was at the game when he missed the penalty. Sent it miles over the Brook Road. One of my first games & I cried cos we lost 4-1 or 4-2. Always been a bad loser ever since. Trouble is I've had loads of practice over the years!!

 

[Stanley]

The words Brentford legend could have been made for Gelson.

Saw/ led us through the dark days of post 67 when we ran on a shoestring.

One of those players who you saw play and never forgot.

 

[Simon W]

Peter Gelson was one of my first heros in a Bees shirt when I started going in the early seventies.. if I remember rightly the main starting line up used to be.. and I am sure some one will fill the blanks

GK Gordon Phillips
Full Backs... Alan Hawley & Alan Nelmes
Centre Backs.. Peter Gelson & ??
Midfield ....Jackie Graham, Brian Hall, ??
Forwards... Big John O'Mara, Johnny Docherty, Stan Webb ?

Those were the days.. Big Bee radio, The Power Game and black shorts with white stripes down the side !!..... and the Evening Mail with Bees on the Back page every night !

 

[mk1965]

Paul Bence and Bobby Ross perhaps.

 

[MOBEES]

Peter does in fact work for Qatar Airways and is based overseas!!!

I understand he was invited and tried to get a flight back for the Centenary celebrations, but work committments meant he was unable to do so at the last minute.

 

[Jimbee]

According to my Canon League Football Players Records Boook 1946-84, GELSON, Peter W.J. 18.10.41, 1961-74 ,468 apps, 3 subs, 17 goals. He's one of the select few in the book who manages to get a pic and a bio:

Another of the long service specialists, Gelson started out with the juniors, and progressed as a tall, well-made wing-half, who was more than competent and could push the ball about. Making his debut in 1961/62 he played 29 games in Brentford's promotion team from the Fourth Division. Following relegation he again helped win promotion back to the Third Division in 1971/2 as the third placed club, missing only one full game in which, incidentally, he appeared as substitute. A grand clubman, he did not play again after September 1974 for his beloved Bees.

 

[exactonian]

Peter Gelson was one of my first heros in a Bees shirt when I started going in the early seventies.. if I remember rightly the main starting line up used to be.. and I am sure some one will fill the blanks

GK Gordon Phillips
Full Backs... Alan Hawley & Alan Nelmes
Centre Backs.. Peter Gelson & ??
Midfield ....Jackie Graham, Brian Hall, ??
Forwards... Big John O'Mara, Johnny Docherty, Stan Webb ?

Those were the days.. Big Bee radio, The Power Game and black shorts with white stripes down the side !!..... and the Evening Mail with Bees on the Back page every night !

Brian Hall?? Brian Turner!!!!!!!!!!

Bobby Ross
Roger Cross

 

[Simon W]

Brian Hall?? Brian Turner!!!!!!!!!!

Bobby Ross
Roger Cross

Yes thats it Brian Turner !! .... How did I forget Bobby Ross.. Was Stewart Houston in the promotion team also ?

 

[cornish bee]

Pete Gelson .......now he is a great legend . First saw him back in the 60`s. Don`t remember against who or the score, but playing along side players such as Hawley, Mansley and another legend Chic brodie the goalie who`s career was ended at Colchester by a dog. Pete must be late 60`s . No way is he 80.

 

[ChinaBee]

Peter was everyones favourite from those days, had the pleasure of playing against him at Griffin Park in charity match in '85, was still a good player then.
Beat him once to set-up a goal, my shot stuck on goal-line

Shame he didnt make it Saturday

and mention of Brian Turner our New Zealand international brings it all back..........but the days of MA will be even better

 

[Wise old Bee]

Peter Gelson truly deserves to be classed as a Brentford legend. His battles with Jack Howarth of Aldersh*t in the late 60s were x-certificate stuff. That penalty against them when we had pulled back to 2-3 gave me nightmares for a long time. He also twice scored with free kicks from inside his own half. He was my first favourite player and was also, I believe, one of the handful of Brentford players who was to be retained if QPR had taken us over in 67.

 

[DOD]

Yes thats it Brian Turner !! .... How did I forget Bobby Ross.. Was Stewart Houston in the promotion team also ?

Ah, Stewart Houston - the classiest left back I've seen at Brentford, either ours or anyone else's

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

Ah, Stewart Houston - the classiest left back I've seen at Brentford, either ours or anyone else's

I don't think he played left-back much for us (perhaps one or two games). At that time he was mostly a centre-back. though he had to play quite a few games up front as we were so short in that area. I think it was ManU who turned him into a left back

 

[Big Wave Bee]

I first saw Houston playing as a young centre back for Chelsea, where he was rated as a good prospect. So I was delighted when he came to Griffin Park but, as Brain-dead Bee says, he only played a handful of games in defence before being asked to play as an emergency centre forward, where he still did very well for us - good in the air with a strong shot.

 

[Wise old Bee]

Don't remember Houston playing up front for us at all. Alan Nelmes once played centre forward, and scored, for us at Notts County but the best switch in recent seasons was Denny Mundee who went from being a lardy full-back to ace striker although he had played as a striker in non-league football.

 

[Newport Pagnell Bee]

Agree with Wise old Bee. Only player who I ever saw get better of Peter G (although you didn't quite say that) was old Jack from Aldershot. Ginger bloke & bloody good in the air. Towered over Pete (which didn't normally bother him) but did on the occassions I was there. Two ledgends on the same park. Well one, but someone's got to remember old Jack.

 

[thefatcd]

I think the 'Jack' you remember is Jack Howarth.

 

[Woking Bee]

As well as Howarth, Aldershot had a very good winger in Ron Walton who was Howarth's supply line.

Anyone go to the League Cup 1st round game at Aldershot in 68/69 when we won 4-2. An absolutely fantastic match that was end to end all game.

 

[Big Al]

Sorry, but I haven't heard of any mention of him being at the game on Saturday. Now he was Brentford through and through. And he went to my old school at Staveley Road, Chiswick. Is he still with us?

Blimey! This takes me back! I used to live in Sutton Court Road, and walked down Staveley Road on my way to Cavendish Primary school in Edensor Road.

 

[sonofabee]

Still see Peter now and again, He was in BA security airside but moved some years ago to work for Qatar Airways. He's a senior bod in security, spending a lot of time abroad.

He is coming up to retirement and has a place in the emirates and plans to split his time as I think he still has a place near Staines Town FC.

Top man, very pleasant but quiet, still extremely very fit and David Dickenson colour due to the amount of time he spends oversee.

 

[Pixelator]

Does anyone else get a lump in their throat when they see this name on the back of a shirt?

 

[TW3Bee]

Does anyone else get a lump in their throat when they see this name on the back of a shirt?

:no:

Because it never appeared on the back of aBrentford shirt.

 

[GEOFFBEE]

:no:

Because it never appeared on the back of aBrentford shirt.

An interesting point.
Of course, many of our latter day heroes did not have names on shirts.
But, yes, we know what the guy means.
Still Peter Gelson does still pop into Griffin Park now and then.
Sounds like we could have done with him on Saturday...

 

[bees52 bomber]

GELSON

He loves a pint in the griffin occasionally. in moderation at all times legend

 

[TW3Bee]

An interesting point.
Of course, many of our latter day heroes did not have names on shirts.
But, yes, we know what the guy means.
Still Peter Gelson does still pop into Griffin Park now and then.
Sounds like we could have done with him on Saturday...

One of my first heroes as a Bees fan.

 

[GEOFFBEE]

One of my first heroes as a Bees fan.

Yes.
He had great commitment, was very powerful in the air, and , my goodness, he knew how to tackle! Also very consistent and loyal.
He joined the Bees as a local lad, and graduated into the First Team via the Juniors, and then our newly-formed 'A' team, then our Reserves.
I am not sure that we had any others who did so, but I have not had chance to check this out.
I believe, in fact, that he was a part-timer( working for the GPO) when he first got the call up to make his first-team debut. I recall a newspaper saying that he was up a telephone pole and one of his mates called up to him to tell him that Bees Manager Malcolm McDonald was on the phone!
Truly, a Brentford legend

 

[stevil]

Interestingly, iirc from seeing him perform regularly for the reserves in the late '50s/early '60s, he started out for us as an old fashioned wing-half ie: midfield player.

Whatever, he was a great servant, talented, tough as teak & a definite Brentford 'legend'. If he had been 2 or 3 inches taller he could well have played in a higher division imo.

KGB (on Stevil's computer)

 

[ianbees1]

Best centre half we've had at Brentford by a mile. He had a distinctive style of running and his head always reminded me of a chicken as he ambled up for corners. I used to try and imitate it and probably explains why I've got such a bad neck now.

 

[Gosport Bee]

Now here is a team

 

[Gosport Bee]

Don't remember Houston playing up front for us at all. Alan Nelmes once played centre forward, and scored, for us at Notts County but the best switch in recent seasons was Denny Mundee who went from being a lardy full-back to ace striker although he had played as a striker in non-league football.

Stewart Houston played quite a lot of games up front either as an inside foward alongside o'mara & then as a striker when o'mara was sold to Blackburn. This was in the 71/72 & 72/73 seasons. At the time terry scales was the normal left back & centre back pairing was nelmes & gelson.
Houston was moved into the back four in the latter part of 72/73 season after the Bees had bought Roger Cross back from Fulham to partner Stan Webb upfront & also Andy Woon when Webb was dropped. (So basically Roger Cross was upfront on his own)

 

[North London Bee]

Houston was class up front and had skill and pace as well as an eye for goal.

We signed Mike Allen I think early in the 1972/3 season and he started as a midfielder before swapping with Scales and moving to left back

 

[NW USA Bee]

Pace?

Houston was class up front and had skill and pace as well as an eye for goal.

We signed Mike Allen I think early in the 1972/3 season and he started as a midfielder before swapping with Scales and moving to left back

Stewart was a class player no doubt, Man U dont sign crap but he was not a pacey player, great asset to us though. Peter Gelson I saw play probably 200 times and he rarely put a foot wrong (cept the PK miss)