Why Brentford?

[Trandy]

Why Brentford? Florian Scheuermann has kindly submitted an article online. Check it out here - http://www.brentford-mad.co.uk/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDZ3&id=30738

Why do YOU support Brentford? Why these red & white stripes and not those of say, Southampton or whoever?

Why is Brentford so special to you? Post them here.

 

[Rudolph_Hucker]

Punishment Mr Trandy. Rudolph was naughty as a child and given the choice of six of the best with the cat o' nine tails or supporting Brentford. Why does he always choose wrong?

 

[Sweepy]

The last thing I remember was hypnotist Paul McKenna snapping his fingers shouting "SLEEP"!

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Why Brentford ¡K¡K..

Well I got my Dad to thank for that. He has supported them for years and I still have a go at him for all the games he had gone to and got a programme for, and the fact that he just chucked them away in the fire at home !!! I mean the amount of dough I've had to spend getting those old programmes back for my collection and he could've just passed them down to me. You know what I mean !!!
My Dad's Mum used to live in those great big flats in Green Dragon Lane and we used to visit her before a game and I'd peer out of her window on the 17th floor and see the hallowed turf of Griffin Park before me. It was a great view from her window.
He first took me in 1967, when I was only 7 years old. We played Chester and we beat them 3-1. We used to stand over in the New Road. Same place every week, with the same crowd, down near the front by the halfway line. Sometimes when we had a big game and new supporters converged on our bit of terrace, they'd be a bit shocked at the verbal my Ol' Man would come out with. He was or is loud and at the start of a game, we'd be crammed together shoulder to shoulder, but a little while into the game and after he had hollered his stuff at the team, the masses beside us would slowly move away, to save their eardrums. To tell you the truth it was a little embarrassing for a minor like myself at the time, but I'm just as enthusiastic myself now. I reckon that nigh on every corpuscle in my body is red and white striped. It's a great club and if anything ever happened to them, I'd never be able to support another. It's a way of life.
Later in life I took my daughter to games and she loved it, joining in the songs and singing her little heart out. She tragically died on New Years Eve 1994. It was extremely painful coming back to watch games and listen to those songs she had joined in with. For a while afterwards I nearly gave up on it all (literally), but with the help of my family and friends they pulled me through.
But that's why though, Me Ol' Man ¡K the geezer with the booming voice ƒº

 

[Willo]

Sorry to be boring Trandy mate, but the main reason was cos I lived there. I had to put up with my uncle taking me to watch Spurs until I managed to convince him to take me to Wembley 85 against Wigan.

 

[California Bee]

I was raised in Staines and my Dad worked in Richmond. He took my brother and me to football games on Saturdays at Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Brentford. My brother became a Chelsea fan although my Dad always supported Spurs. I stuck with Brentford because they were the nearest and the first team I identified with.
This all started in the forties so I'm still waiting for the lads to make it back to the top division after 56 years of waiting and suffering. Come on Brentford!!!
Funny how the status of the teams from that time remains unchanged in the back of your mind. In those days Notts Forest, Crystal Palace, Watford, Ipswich Town, Norwich City, Southampton, Stockport, Rotherham, Crewe etc were all minnows in the Third Division North or South. Wimbledon was in the amateur Isthmian league along with Corinthian Casuals, Clapton and Romford.

 

[Holysmit]

Well after the 1990 world cup semi final the first game i ever watched on tv I wanted to go to a real match about 6 months later my dad took me to England U21 Vs Ireland U21 at GP. I was hooked, I was then taken to QPR VS Derby as my dad got 4 free tickets but my dad had been to GP since 1984 just after I was born as he could no longer go to his beloved West Ham (He claims he's more of a brentford fan now but i don't believe him)and then took to me to Brentford Vs Crewe won 1-0 and Brentford became my team after that.

 

[Stanley]

Started when I joined Chiswick Grammar School in 65/66 year as it was then, my new mates when to GP others went to Loftus Road. After a few games running round the New Road and Royal Oak stands (the games were pretty dire as I recall)I was hooked but not really sure why. Later on went to Chelsea a lot with other mates as they were very popular in early 70's but never had the same feeling. Maybe the takeover debacle in 67 cemented the emotions I don't know.

Years later I took my sons' to their first games at GP, partialy because its always been a good place to bring young kids and they are hooked too particularly the youngest who comes to every home game. Sometimes I have wondered if I have done them any favours?

 

[DidntYouUsedToBee]

You too! I used to run round the ground in '67' and wait till half time to sneak into the stands. Brentford itself was a great little community back then and my mum ran the only shoe shop on the high street. I used to drop in there before the game hear all the gossip about the players and then on to the match. i guess what first got me interested was the whole QPR take over thing. The whole community pulled together -very impressive. What a pity it aint so strong these days though I still hope when push comes to shove it will be! What will Brentford be like without Griffin park? Brings a tear to my eye

 

[Greenford Bee]

Born in Chiswick, lived in Hanwell/Greenford most of my life. My uncle lived in Braemar Road (his son still does) and most of my mum's family (five brothers)supported the Bee's so I guess it was pre ordained that I (and my son) would follow the family tradition. Most of my and my son's mates are glory hunters (Arsenal, Chelsea etc. although they rarely get to see 'their' team live) and I just pray that their is a BFC to support when I am a grandfather.

 

[North London Bee]

Brought up in Twickenham, just over Richmond Bridge, my Dad took me to all the local clubs when I was 10 - Chelsea, Fulham QPR and Brentford.

First game was 5-2 walloping of QPR in 1965. Second was 6-1 mauling of Rangers on opening day of 1965-66 season. I was hooked , football was a really easy game -or so it appeared !

Now been coming ever since except when living in New York 1983-86.

Wanted to give up in 1998 when W£bb was dismantling the club and even cheered when Carlisle scored in that awful 0-1 midweek defeat in October as I knew that would mean the end of poor Eddy May's role as ventriloquist's dummy and the hiring of a REAL manager.

Not very hopeful of our prospects at present both on and off the field but all but a handful of the other 71 Football league clubs find themselves in the same parlous state

As long as Noades keeps us in the dark about his real intentions - if he even knows himself then I feel we are potentially on the road to oblivion or at best alsorans

 

[davebee]

my old man started taking me to games as early as i can remember, we used to stand in te braemar rd terrace. later on when it wa sall seated, we continued to sit tere up by the half way line in te paddock. this season i have been working at the club and end up sanding in the brook rd terrace. the big test will come next yr when i go off to university. im sure ill keep it going tho.

 

[nick logan]

because i am blessed

 

[Dangerous]

went to infant and junior school in south ealing and in the 70s they had its a knockout at griffen park anyone remember that? so that was it bees for life after visting griffen park in the 70s and it just becomes a part off you that no one can take away.

 

[JBN]

I was 11 when I first went to a game with my Dad in 1977 to see the SUPER BEES (Bill Dodgins Red & White Army) play Northampton Town, Lennie Bond in goal, Andy McCulloch and Steve Phillips up front. We won 3-0. It still sends a shiver through me.

My first season as Bees fan and what a year it was, we went up that season and I have been hooked ever since.

Sadly my Dad is not here but my son will passed the mantle when his time comes.

At the moment I go with my nephew who is a Newcastle fan (another father/son thing) but I am slowly converting him.

 

[Pearcey]

Because the whole lot of you are mad!! Bit like I must have been once until things changed slightly not so long ago!

 

[Wise old Bee]

My dad started coming as a schoolboy in the 30s whilst at the same time my mum's father came to Ealing from South Wales during the depression and became a GP regular. He went to reserve games as well. I first came in 1965 and have been hanging around ever since. My son is 20 and has been coming here since he was 7. My great grandfather had a butchers shop in the High Street opposite Ferry Lane in the 1880s so the connection with Brentford goes back a long way. Reading this thread makes me more p*ssed off at the thought of leaving GP than ever.

 

[Trandy]

Articles online at http://www.brentford-mad.co.uk/news/loadroll.asp?CID=EDZ3

I have used nicknames, but it would be better if people could provide me with "real names"!

 

[big neil]

my dad took me to qpr in the mid seventies when they were good(bowles,francis e.t.c) against all the top teams like man utd & that.then he took me to bees v barnsley in 1978 when we were in the 4th division & it was just better, F@ck knows why, it just was (and still is!!)
you bees!!

[This message has been edited by big neil (edited 10 January 2002).]

 

[steve bee]

Born in perivale,lived in Brentford till i was 4, then exiled to berkshire.my dad lived in Brentford and was a lapsed fan.I just knew the bees were in my blood from about 9 onwards. I followed their results in the papers and radio, until on a sunny saturday in 1968 me and my old man went to the bees v port vale game. My first game i instantly fell in love with Griffin park and the team.
We won 3-1 and i was back on the monday evening for bees v Rochdale 1-1 draw and over 9000 there.Can still picture Olie Alan mansley flying down the wing for the bees. All these years later and this club means so much to me still.
Come on you Reds.

 

[twig]

Why? Well born in West Mid Hospital. Brought up and still live in the South Ealing/Brentford boarders. Used to support Liverpool (everyone did then, I was young and me old man didn't like footy so never took us) before me mate Scott started taking me down GP ages 14/15 back at the end of the Perryman reign. Other good reasons why I became a BEE. Me great aunt used to play the piano in the Houseguardsman Pub and went out with jack Lane for a bit. All me great uncles worked in Brentford Gas Works and supported the Bees. Truth is I could have picked QPR, Fulham or the Bees with family ties to all of them. So its probably due to my mate Scott supporting the Bees. MR Else you've a lot to answer for.

 

[Beenut]

Born in Church Street Isleworth - same road as EghamBee - although he was 25yrs before me ;O). First footie game I really remember was the '78 World Cup final (11yrs old) - had been to Bees games a few times before but I had no understanding of footie really until watching this amazing match....Started going properly with brothers then schoolmates (whitton) & used to stand in the Royal Oak all the time. Used to love the Evening games - great atmosphere. It was my first experience of going out with my mates/brothers unsupervised & I loved every minute. I don't regret one bit that I wasn't taken to another club. I used to go to Stamford Bridge when the Bees were away but although bigger crowds & better atmosphere - It did nothing for me....oh, I couldn't speak Italian either!!!!!
Only been to about 35 grounds - wettest I've been was at VS Rugby & coldest at Bournemouth - most happy Peteboro - most drunk Carlisle (where I lived for a while & met a Bees fan from Penrith!!)...

 

[Fonzy]

I only started liking football properly after the 1994 World Cup.

Before that, when I had no idea about football, I then had brief supporting stints with Man Ure

and Spurs!!

I was at cubs during my Spurs stint and our leader (who's a Bees fan) got us some free tickets and took us to a match. After that I went about two games per season with my dad until the 99/00 season when I got me first season ticket.

Carried on from there...

 

[Mr Tree]

boring story...

followed Palace with my Dad ever since a sprog, always attended a lot of football, fell in love with the game...

Dad injured back, but i was too young to go places on my own... went to Staines Town for a couple of seasons...

then from start of 1997 onwards, went to my local league team (cos a mate suggested it), and have been coming ever since... dunno why really

 

[big neil]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dan the Bee:
boring story...</font>

you boring? never

 

[Sweepy]

First game I attended: FA Cup Round 1, 1982 (or 1983?) Brentford 7 Windsor 0.

I don't remember the game at all (I was five!), but my cousins made sure I went to as many matches as possible after that!

 

[newsybee]

My First match was against Rochdale at home. I'd just moved back to London,Brentford and my stepdad took me. We got in at half time through the fence. (cos the tight b'stard didn't want to pay) he was told the it was free entry at half time. Anyway we won 3-2. My second fix was against Swansea a month later we won 4-0 that was it. The following season we got promoted. Then I moved to the other end of Isleworth so wasn't allowed to go as much as lost contact a bit. It was like the fever pitch thing my stepdad didn't like footie much. (he only really took me so he'd have an excuse to drink in the Bricklayers).
I think at that time my first team was West Ham it wasn't until the late 80's that that changed. And I must say as im' getting older its getting worse. Already this season i've done five away fixtures and most of the home one's which isn't that easy seeings I have to work every other weekend and nights. The intimacy of Brentford is wonderful and even though other ground have better facility's i.e. Notts C. Stoke and Reading they don't have soul.
I know a move from my beloved gp in inevitable but i'll sure miss it

 

[johnkav]

Grew up in Cranford and Bees was my nearest pro team. Went to 1-0 against Rochdale the year we won Div 4 in the early 60s (I was about 12) and it was one of the most exhilerating afternoons of my life so far. My Dad started coming with me (he'd followed Bees in the 1950s). Always Brook Road end in that enormous shed. Lapsed in attendance but always a follower while living in France, Norwich and Ipswich. Had a few emotional tear pricks the first time I went a couple of seasons ago after a long absence, all mixed up with memories of going with my Dad. But loving it back at the Brook Road end again
)

[This message has been edited by johnkav (edited 13 January 2002).]

[This message has been edited by johnkav (edited 13 January 2002).]

 

[Silly Chip]

My dad migrated from Dublin in 1957 and settled in Ealing. He went from being a Shelbourne fan to supporting Brentford. He missed the 1963 record home win game against Wrexham for some obscure reason, so next time you're thinking of missing a home game think again!
My first recollection of attending a game was in the '77-78 promotion season, used to sit where the McDonalds stand is now near BB Radio; Jackie Graham what a captain. I vaguely recollect attending a game in '74-75 where the crowd was sparse and we were thrashed by Bradford City. Gordon Sweetzer is a name to behold from that time.
Brentford will always be in my blood even though they disappoint more times then they please. I went through hell supporting Brentford at my secondary school in Wimbledon, picked on by Fulham and Chelsea fans. The 2 proudest moments of my life happened in '91-92 when firstly we beat a Fulham team which were on their own impressive run of form 4-0; one of my Fulham school chums made me choke with tears when he rang me and congratulated Brentford for a thoughly deserved victory and wished us all the best in Div 1...and of course the win vs Peterborough. I also was close to breaking into tears when we lost to Port Vale at Cardiff though I did stay to clap the team even when I wanted to kill everyone of them for f**king up bigtime like most Brentford teams. I grew up with the thought that this team were sleeping giants, I guess the owners of the club have lacked the same ambition over the last 20 years. I have been disallusioned a lot over the last 25 years and in the late '80's when a lowly Chester side beat us at home I even deliberately got a job as a betting shop manager so I couldn't go to anymore saturday games. There probably won't be many occassions in a Bees supporters life for joy but at least when it comes we will all be celebrating with raw passion! If you ever wanted to introduce anyone to BFC, giving them the excellant Possitively Brentford is a good start. Whenever I pick this book up it has me in tears but reminds me of whom I am. Up the Bees!

 

[Edmundo]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dan the Bee:
boring story...

followed Palace with my Dad ever since a sprog, always attended a lot of football, fell in love with the game...

Dad injured back, but i was too young to go places on my own... went to Staines Town for a couple of seasons...

then from start of 1997 onwards, went to my local league team (cos a mate suggested it), and have been coming ever since... dunno why really

</font>

Bloody hell, Dan - what is it with you and Ron Noades? Is it your fault? TREE OUT!!

 

[somersetbee]

I was due on Saturday and we were playing at GP, my mum was told either before 2.30 or after 5.30 to allow my father to get to the match, he had supported the Bees all of his life because it was the nearest club to where they were bought up. I rarely get to matches now but have supported for over 47 years and its never occured to me to support anybody else...sad really but i would rather watch the Bees that watch England- I am English but am passionate about the Bees.

 

[Mr Tree]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Edmundo:
Bloody hell, Dan - what is it with you and Ron Noades? Is it your fault? TREE OUT!!</font>

hmmm...

 

[eghambee]

I am the third generation Bees fan.

My Grandad was a regular in the thirties, and my dad went to the Preston game in 36, record attendance, passed over the heads to the front, jumper for goalposts and all that.

My dad born in Acton went to Bees one week and QPHA the next, but when he met my mums brothers, was fully converted.

Mum and Dad went regularly in late 50's and early 60's.

I was taken along to first match against Bolton in FA Cup, 197? 0-0 i think.

I started going regularly in the promotion season from the 4th and been hooked ever since.

My eldest boy attended his first matches last season, so takes the family into a 4th generation.

My Dads last game was the Shepa Van Final in 85, shame about the reult, would have liked him to have left with a good memory.
My Uncles from both sides still go.

Even though i was born in Isleworth before Pyleebee, i was glad, as God had obviously run out of good looks and healthy fit bodies after me.

Its a family thing, can get them out of my blood.Long may it continue.

 

[bigmac]

When i was 8 i was taken to Griffin Park by my next door neighbour for the very first time at the beginning on the 1988-89 season, if i am not mistaken we beat Huddersfield 1-0 thanks to a Keith Millen goal. Loved that Bees from that day forward and believe me supporting the Bees got me into many a scuffle at school from those fat wad premiership fans.

 

[Nigel Brooks]

Because I enjoy REAL football!

Because I DON'T enjoy watching overpaid celebrities.

Because I can share in the passion with players who will talk to me in the street/ pub/ wherever.

Because my late grandfather (great bloke who lived in Glenhurst Road) used to buy me a biscuit and a fizzy orange in the King's Arms before the match.

But basically just.. Because!

 

[Albany Jon]

My first post.. Hello all,

I grew up in Brentford but was Liverpool mad (like everybody else, as somebody else mentioned) until I was 7 when my old man took me to stand in the glorious Royal Oak in 1976 vs Chesterfield. He didn't like football so it was the only time, We won 3-1 & I loved it.

The old fella died that summer so couldn't go again until I was 10 when I was allowed to go with my mate. We allways stood at the back of the Royal Oak. I remember the atmosphere against Portsmouth/Millwall thinking the kop can't be as good as this.

We started going to fairly local away games when we were 11. Telling our mum's that we were going to QPR, bunking the train & getting a b*ll*cking for getting home late.

Since then it's become something that I have no choice about.. Once Brentford.. Allways Brentford.

I sat in the kop for the first time last year (with England not the scouse monkeys). It was good but I was right when I was 10.

 

[nick logan]

welcome jon,good choice of football team and pub! fancy coming to northampton early doors by the way

 

[Nurse Betty]

Born in Isleworth, brought up in South Acton and Northolt. Got taken to White Hart Lane, Craven Cottage, Highbury and GP as part of my footballing education at 11 years of age. Brentford were the closest geographically, so we carried on going there. GP was always different - felt as though there were real people as supporters. Not sure what I mean, to be honest, but it felt like ordinary people and the club was accessible and not overwhelming. Well, I suppose at 11 years old I was a bit overwhelmed by 38,000 people at Highbury. Now I support them because I've moved back in to the area and I've gone from being an Arsenal fan who watches Brentford to a Brentford fan who has a soft spot for Arsenal but couldn't give a monkeys about what's going on in the Premiership - it's Division 2 I'm interested in. Brentford still feels like a proper football club, not a supermarket-cum-catering franchise with a footie team attached to it. I like the fact that I've stood in the same Braemar Road burger queue at a pre-season with Ijah and Gav; I like the fact that I can walk round to the shop after the game and see the players walking past. And supporting a team like Brentford really is supporting - there's no worries about whether we'll beat Real Madrid next Wednesday or whether there's any prawn sandwiches left for half time. It's more about have we got enough money to fix the ladies loos in the New Road and can we hang on to our players. I've just read `How depressed am I...' which is another thread on this board and I've been thinking along the same lines: if we got in to the Conference, where will we play etc etc. I can't imaging not supporting Brentford now. Too late - it's in the blood.

 

[Trandy]

Anyone else have any stories about Why Brentford?

Past records have been & will be added to this URL:

http://www.brentford-mad.co.uk/news/loadroll.asp?CID=EDZ3