Brentford 1993–94 football season
During the 1993–94 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division . In a season of transition, a failure to win any of the final 16 league matches ended all hopes of a finish in the play-off places.
Season summary [ ]
The 1993–94 season saw Brentford back in the Second Division after suffering relegation from the First Division at the first attempt.[1] Former Chelsea manager David Webb replaced Phil Holder and immediately set about overhauling the squad, releasing 11 players and cancelling the contracts of Murray Jones , Neil Smilie and Detzi Kruszyński . 1992–93 top-scorer Gary Blissett left the club for a £350,000 fee settled by a tribunal , goalkeeper Graham Benstead and defender Terry Evans rejected new contracts and were made available for loan , while forward Joe Allon was transfer-listed. In came midfielder Paul Smith , forward Denny Mundee and youngster Scott Morgan from Bournemouth and non-League players Dean A. Williams and Dean P. Williams . Professional contracts were given to youth products Carl Hutchings , Craig Ravenscroft and Tamer Fernandes . Manager David Webb continued to strengthen the squad during the early months of the season, bringing in goalkeeper Kevin Dearden , defenders Martin Grainger and Gus Hurdle , midfielder Lee Harvey and forwards Ian Benjamin and Matthew Metcalf , with Terry Evans and Grant Chalmers leaving the club.
Brentford began the season with two wins from the first three matches to rise as high as 5th, before losing five of the next six to drop into the relegation places.[6] Transfer-listed forward Joe Allon provided the catalyst for a revival, returning from a loan spell with Southend United to score 9 goals in eight games in all competitions and fire the Bees back up to 12th position by early November.[6] [7] His run was ended by a broken jaw suffered at the hands of teammate Mickey Bennett , who was immediately sacked by the club.[8] Forward Denny Mundee stepped into the breach and scored 9 goals in as many games in all competitions to help elevate Brentford back into the play-off positions and the Football League Trophy quarter-finals.[6] The run prompted Premier League club Southampton to offer David Webb their vacant manager's job, which Webb turned down. Two club records were set during the run – 11 consecutive away matches unbeaten in all competitions and 10 consecutive away league matches undefeated.
Brentford had risen to 5th in the table after a 4–1 win over Bristol Rovers on 12 February 1994, but a winless run of 16 matches to close out the season dropped the Bees to 16th.[6] Webb had continued his rebuilding of the squad through the second half of the season, selling transfer-listed players Marcus Gayle , Joe Allon and Keith Millen , while bringing in defenders David Thompson and Barry Ashby , winger Darren Annon and forward Robert Taylor . Season-ending injuries to Taylor, Shane Westley , Ian Benjamin and suspensions incurred by Martin Grainger, David Thompson, Kevin Dearden and Brian Statham further hindered Webb's ability to pick a settled team.
League table [ ]
14
Brighton & Hove Albion
46
15
14
17
60
67
−7
59
15
Rotherham United
46
15
13
18
63
60
+3
58
16
Brentford
46
13
19
14
57
55
+2
58
17
Bournemouth
46
14
15
17
51
59
−8
57
18
Leyton Orient
46
14
14
18
57
71
−14
56
Source:[citation needed ]
Results [ ]
Brentford's goal tally listed first.
Legend [ ]
Pre-season [ ]
[ ]
1
14 August 1993
Exeter City
H
2–1
5,537
Allon , Gayle
2
21 August 1993
Blackpool
A
1–1
4,024
Allon
3
28 August 1993
Reading
H
1–0
6,848
Allon
4
31 August 1993
Hull City
A
0–1
4,517
5
4 September 1993
Rotherham United
A
0–2
4,333
6
11 September 1993
Swansea City
H
1–1
5,042
Ratcliffe
7
14 September 1993
Leyton Orient
H
0–1
5,149
8
18 September 1993
Brighton & Hove Albion
A
1–2
5,734
D.A. Williams
9
25 September 1993
Port Vale
H
1–2
5,106
Gayle
10
2 October 1993
Cambridge United
A
1–1
3,612
Benjamin
11
9 October 1993
Hartlepool United
A
1–0
1,802
Benjamin
12
16 October 1993
Wrexham
H
2–1
5,801
Ratcliffe , Allon
13
23 October 1993
York City
A
2–0
3,513
Smith , Allon
14
30 October 1993
Barnet
H
1–0
5,873
Allon
15
2 November 1993
Cardiff City
H
1–1
4,756
Allon
16
6 November 1993
Plymouth Argyle
A
1–1
6,407
Allon
17
20 November 1993
Burnley
A
0–0
6,085
18
27 November 1993
Huddersfield Town
A
3–1
4,544
Mundee (2 pens ), Ravenscroft
19
11 December 1993
Blackpool
H
3–0
4,769
Gayle , Mundee (2)
20
18 December 1993
Exeter City
A
2–2
4,250
Gayle , Mundee (pen )
21
27 December 1993
Bournemouth
A
3–0
5,744
Mundee (pen ), Harvey , og
22
29 December 1993
Bradford City
H
2–0
6,059
Ratcliffe , Smith
23
1 January 1994
Fulham
A
0–0
9,797
24
3 January 1994
Stockport County
H
1–1
6,410
og
25
8 January 1994
Bristol Rovers
H
3–4
6,841
Mundee (3)
26
15 January 1994
Wrexham
A
2–1
3,701
Gayle , Bates
27
22 January 1994
Hartlepool United
H
1–0
6,334
Bates
28
29 January 1994
Barnet
A
0–0
2,502
29
5 February 1994
York City
A
1–1
5,710
Mundee
30
12 February 1994
Bristol Rovers
A
4–1
5,685
Gayle , Allon (3)
31
19 February 1994
Reading
A
1–2
9,056
Thompson
32
22 February 1994
Hull City
H
0–3
4,361
33
26 February 1994
Rotherham United
H
2–2
4,980
Mundee , Allon
34
5 March 1994
Swansea City
A
1–1
3,187
Harvey
35
12 March 1994
Brighton & Hove Albion
H
1–1
6,728
Ratcliffe
36
15 March 1994
Leyton Orient
A
1–1
3,185
Allon
37
19 March 1994
Port Vale
A
0–1
8,269
38
26 March 1994
Cambridge United
H
3–3
5,052
Taylor , Statham , Grainger
39
29 March 1994
Stockport County
A
1–3
4,361
Annon
40
2 April 1994
Bournemouth
H
1–1
4,305
Grainger
41
4 April 1994
Bradford City
A
0–1
6,703
42
9 April 1994
Fulham
H
1–2
6,638
Taylor
43
16 April 1994
Cardiff City
A
1–1
5,268
Harvey
44
23 April 1994
Plymouth Argyle
H
1–1
6,173
Smith
45
30 April 1994
Burnley
A
1–4
11,363
Ashby
46
7 May 1994
Huddersfield Town
H
1–2
4,483
Harvey
FA Cup [ ]
R1
13 November 1993
VS Rugby
A
3–0
3,006
Allon (2, 1 pen ), Gayle
R2
4 December 1993
Cardiff City
H
1–3
4,845
Gayle
League Cup [ ]
R1 (1st leg)
17 August 1993
Watford
H
2–2
4,527
Peters , Westley
R1 (2nd leg)
24 August 1993
Watford
A
1–3 (lost 5–3 on aggregate)
4,937
Westley
[ ]
SR1 (match 1)
19 October 1993
Barnet
A
2–2
1,269
Allon (2)
SR1 (match 2)
9 November 1993
Wycombe Wanderers
H
2–3
3,165
Ratcliffe , Smith
SR2
30 November 1993
Hereford United
A
2–1
1,049
Mundee (2)
SQF
11 January 1994
Leyton Orient
A
0–1
3,683
Source: Statto , 11v11 , The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties
Playing squad [ ]
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1993–94 season.
No.
Pos.
Name
Nat.
Date of birth (age)
Signed from
Signed in
Notes
Goalkeepers
1
GK
Dean P. Williams
(1972-01-05 ) 5 January 1972 (aged 21)
Tamworth
1993
20
GK
Tamer Fernandes
(1974-12-07 ) 7 December 1974 (aged 18)
Youth
1993
Loaned to Wealdstone
28
GK
Kevin Dearden
(1970-03-08 ) 8 March 1970 (aged 23)
Tottenham Hotspur
1993
Defenders
2
DF
Brian Statham
(1969-05-21 ) 21 May 1969 (aged 24)
Tottenham Hotspur
1992
3
DF
Billy Manuel (c )
(1969-06-28 ) 28 June 1969 (aged 24)
Gillingham
1991
4
DF
Barry Ashby
(1970-11-21 ) 21 November 1970 (aged 22)
Watford
1994
5
DF
Shane Westley
(1965-06-16 ) 16 June 1965 (aged 28)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1992
6
DF
Martin Grainger
(1972-08-23 ) 23 August 1972 (aged 20)
Colchester United
1993
12
DF
Jamie Bates
(1968-02-24 ) 24 February 1968 (aged 25)
Youth
1986
14
DF
David Thompson
(1968-11-20 ) 20 November 1968 (aged 24)
Bristol City
1994
18
DF
Carl Hutchings
(1974-09-24 ) 24 September 1974 (aged 18)
Youth
1993
19
DF
Gus Hurdle
(1973-10-14 ) 14 October 1973 (aged 19)
Dorchester Town
1993
Loaned to Dorchester Town
21
DF
Scott Morgan
(1975-03-22 ) 22 March 1975 (aged 18)
Bournemouth
1993
Midfielders
8
MF
Paul Smith
(1971-09-18 ) 18 September 1971 (aged 21)
Southend United
1993
9
MF
Lee Harvey
(1966-12-21 ) 21 December 1966 (aged 26)
Nottingham Forest
1993
10
MF
Paul Stephenson
(1968-01-02 ) 2 January 1968 (aged 25)
Millwall
1993
16
MF
Robbie Peters
(1971-05-18 ) 18 May 1971 (aged 22)
Youth
1989
Loaned to Slough Town
17
MF
Simon Ratcliffe
(1967-02-08 ) 8 February 1967 (aged 26)
Norwich City
1989
22
MF
Kevin Watson
(1974-01-03 ) 3 January 1974 (aged 19)
Tottenham Hotspur
1994
On loan from Tottenham Hotspur
24
MF
Darren Annon
(1972-02-17 ) 17 February 1972 (aged 21)
Carshalton Athletic
1994
Forwards
11
FW
Robert Taylor
(1971-04-30 ) 30 April 1971 (aged 22)
Leyton Orient
1994
13
FW
Craig Ravenscroft
(1974-12-20 ) 20 December 1974 (aged 18)
Youth
1993
15
FW
Dean A. Williams
(1970-11-14 ) 14 November 1970 (aged 22)
St Albans City
1993
23
FW
Denny Mundee
(1968-10-10 ) 10 October 1968 (aged 24)
Bournemouth
1993
26
FW
Matthew Metcalf
(1969-07-28 ) 28 July 1969 (aged 24)
Diss Town
1993
27
FW
Ian Benjamin
(1961-12-11 ) 11 December 1961 (aged 31)
Luton Town
1993
Players who left the club mid-season
4
DF
Keith Millen
(1966-09-26 ) 26 September 1966 (aged 26)
Youth
1985
Transferred to Watford
6
MF
Grant Chalmers
(1969-09-12 ) 12 September 1969 (aged 23)
Northerners
1992
Released
7
FW
Joe Allon
(1966-01-12 ) 12 January 1966 (aged 27)
Chelsea
1992
Loaned to Southend United , transferred to Port Vale
9
FW
Mickey Bennett
(1969-07-27 ) 27 July 1969 (aged 24)
Wimbledon
1992
Released
11
FW
Marcus Gayle
(1970-09-27 ) 27 September 1970 (aged 22)
Youth
1988
Transferred to Wimbledon
14
MF
Paul Buckle
(1970-12-16 ) 16 December 1970 (aged 22)
Youth
1988
Transferred to Torquay United
22
GK
Graham Benstead
(1963-08-20 ) 20 August 1963 (aged 29)
Sheffield United
1990
Loaned to Kettering Town , transferred to Kettering Town
24
MF
Steve Tilson
(1966-07-27 ) 27 July 1966 (aged 27)
Southend United
1993
Returned to Southend United after loan
25
MF
John Cornwell
(1964-10-13 ) 13 October 1964 (aged 28)
Southend United
1993
Returned to Southend United after loan
Source: The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties
Coaching staff [ ]
Name
Role
David Webb
Manager
Kevin Lock
First Team Coach
Roy Johnson
Physiotherapist
Statistics [ ]
Appearances and goals [ ]
Substitute appearances in brackets.
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
Source: The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties
Goalscorers [ ]
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
Source: The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties
Management [ ]
Name
Nat
From
To
Record All Comps
Record League
P
W
D
L
W %
P
W
D
L
W %
David Webb
14 August 1993
7 May 1994
54
15
21
18
0 27.78
46
13
19
14
0 28.26
Summary [ ]
Games played
54 (46 Second Division , 2 FA Cup , 2 League Cup , 4 Football League Trophy )
Games won
15 (13 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
Games drawn
21 (19 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
Games lost
18 (14 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)
Goals scored
70 (57 Second Division, 4 FA Cup, 3 League Cup, 6 Football League Trophy)
Goals conceded
70 (55 Second Division, 3 FA Cup, 5 League Cup, 7 Football League Trophy)
Clean sheets
12 (11 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy)
Biggest league win
3–0 on 2 occasions, 4–1 versus Bristol Rovers , 12 February 1994
Worst league defeat
3–0 versus Hull City , 22 February 1994; 4–1 versus Burnley , 30 April 1994
Most appearances
52, Jamie Bates (45 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 3 Football League Trophy)
Top scorer (league)
13, Joe Allon
Top scorer (all competitions)
17, Joe Allon
Transfers & loans [ ]
Players transferred in
Date
Pos.
Name
Previous Club
Fee
Ref.
July 1993
FW
Dean A. Williams
St Albans City
£14,000
6 August 1993
MF
Paul Smith
Southend United
Free
[13]
8 August 1993
GK
Dean P. Williams
Tamworth
£2,000
[13]
12 August 1993
MF
Denny Mundee
Bournemouth
Free
August 1993
DF
Scott Morgan
Bournemouth
Free
[14]
24 September 1993
FW
Ian Benjamin
Luton Town
£35,000
30 September 1993
GK
Kevin Dearden
Tottenham Hotspur
Free
[13]
September 1993
FW
Matthew Metcalf
Diss Town
£10,000
21 October 1993
DF
Martin Grainger
Colchester United
£60,000
[13]
October 1993
DF
Gus Hurdle
Dorchester Town
Free
18 November 1993
MF
Lee Harvey
Nottingham Forest
Free
[13]
December 1993
MF
Tony Sorrell
Barnet
Free
1 February 1994
DF
David Thompson
Bristol City
Free
8 March 1994
MF
Darren Annon
Carshalton Athletic
£20,000
[13]
22 March 1994
DF
Barry Ashby
Watford
£65,000
24 March 1994
FW
Robert Taylor
Leyton Orient
£100,000
[13]
Players loaned in
Date from
Pos.
Name
From
Date to
Ref.
16 September 1993
MF
John Cornwell
Southend United
9 November 1993
16 September 1993
MF
Steve Tilson
Southend United
16 October 1993
[13]
24 March 1994
MF
Kevin Watson
Tottenham Hotspur
End of season
[13]
Players transferred out
Date
Pos.
Name
Subsequent club
Fee
Ref.
1993
FW
Murray Jones
Sittingbourne
Free
1993
GK
Gerry Peyton
West Ham United
Free
23 July 1993
FW
Gary Blissett
Wimbledon
£350,000
August 1993
MF
Neil Smilie
Gillingham
Free
September 1993
MF
Detzi Kruszyński
Coventry City
Free
[15]
October 1993
DF
Terry Evans
Wycombe Wanderers
£40,000
December 1993
GK
Graham Benstead
Kettering Town
Free
3 February 1994
MF
Paul Buckle
Torquay United
Free
[16]
22 March 1994
DF
Keith Millen
Watford
£100,000
[16]
24 March 1994
FW
Joe Allon
Port Vale
£150,000
24 March 1994
FW
Marcus Gayle
Wimbledon
£250,000
[16]
Players loaned out
Date from
Pos.
Name
To
Date to
Ref.
26 August 1993
DF
Terry Evans
Wycombe Wanderers
October 1993
16 September 1993
FW
Joe Allon
Southend United
October 1993
October 1993
GK
Graham Benstead
Kettering Town
December 1993
October 1993
GK
Tamer Fernandes
Wealdstone
November 1993
January 1994
MF
Robbie Peters
Slough Town
February 1993
January 1994
MF
Tony Sorrell
Dagenham & Redbridge
Free
February 1994
DF
Gus Hurdle
Dorchester Town
April 1994
Players released
Date
Pos.
Name
Subsequent club
Join date
Ref.
October 1993
MF
Grant Chalmers
Doncaster Rovers
1993
17 November 1993
MF
Mickey Bennett
Charlton Athletic
24 March 1994
[8]
30 June 1994
DF
Scott Morgan
Dorchester Town
1994
Kit [ ]
Supplier: Hummel International Sponsor(s): KLM
Source: Historical Kits
Awards [ ]
References [ ]
show Brentford F.C. seasons
show National teams
League competitions
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Isthmian League (Two , Three )
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Essex Senior League (level 8 only )
Hellenic League (Premier , One )
Kent League (level 8 only )
Midland Football Combination (level 8 only )
North West Counties League (One , Two )
Northern Counties East League (Premier , One )
Northern League (One , Two )
South Midlands League (Premier , Senior )
(, )
Sussex County League (One , Two )
United Counties League (Premier , One )
Wessex League (level 8 only )
West Midlands (Regional) League (level 8 only )
Western League (Premier , One )
Cup competitions
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