Derby County’s ‘agricultural’ playing style at Griffin Park earlier this season really frustrated Brentford fans who were stunned that one of the division’s biggest spenders and most illustrious clubs had resorted to such extreme negativity in the 1-1 draw. Whether it be a long-ball strategy to take advantage of an opponent’s perceived defensive frailties, or unorthodox free-kick routines employed to cause confusion in front of the goalkeeper, the use of ‘extreme’ tactics has always been a bone of contention among football fans – especially if those football fans support Brentford, including those employed by our own team! However, frustrating tactics are nothing new, as this 1933 extract from the brand new Big Book of Griffin Park perfectly illustrates.
“Bees supporters gave Hull’s offside game a poor reception on Saturday, with Hull City looking like becoming one of the most unpopular clubs in the Second Division unless they decide to abandon their hundred per cent offside game. One must, in fairness, be prepared to allow that they have brought this game to a high standard of perfection; it is scientifically conceived and brilliantly operated, but – and the but in this ease is the crux of the whole matter – it renders good football impossible, and that is what the people pay to see.”
“Obviously something drastic must he done about it, for if it extends the only possible result must be a solid falling off in the gate. There was a crowd of 20,000 at Griffin Park on Saturday, and the Hull tactics resulted in unprecedented scenes of barracking, culminating in an argument between Brentford supporters behind the goal and the visiting goalkeeper, who had to be escorted from the ground by the police.”
All Brentford fans during the 1933-34 season also agreed on a less confrontational theory, that new signing, Dai Hopkins, was a truly class act – and the player would go from strength to strength in the years that followed as the Bees clinched top flight football and had a team full of top international players. This magazine cover, from 1935, has been adapted into a limited edition print, which are currently available here www.beesotted.com.
The brand new Big Book of Griffin Park book is crammed full of over 1000 Brentford stories and photographs, which really capture the spirit and soul of Griffin Park – the publication is a perfect way to celebrate a ground we all treasure.
If you haven’t got one already, make sure you get your own copy of this limited edition run by visiting the Brentford club shop or buying online via shop.brentfordfc.com.
Dave Lane
@beesotted100
MORE RECENT CONTENT
MOST READ CONTENT
Barnsley preview: Will Tykes “love” Valentine’s Day in west London?
Whatever happens in Barnsley's Valentine's Day visit on Sunday, it can't possibly be as emotional and historic as the last time they came to Brentford in the summer. The Tykes were originally due to be the last-ever visitors to Griffin Park on 2 May. It was a date...
Say We Are Top Of The League – Brentford v Barnsley Pre-Match Podcast
Brentford went top of the Championship with a resounding victory at The Madjeski Stadium - beating Reading 3-1 after going 1-0 down The Beesotted crew of Billy the Bee Grant, Matt The Allard Allard, Liberal Nick Carthew and Martin The Dutchman Holland crammed into the...
Unbeaten But Not Unbeatable – Let’s Stay As Humble As The Players
Regular Beesotted contributor, Jim Levack, looks back at the weekend win over Middlesbrough and gives a grounded take on where we're at right now... we may be unbeaten, but we are not unbeatable. I’ll have to check this with the owner but statistically there’s a...
Out With The Justice League. In With The Manners League – Reading v Brentford Pre-Match Podcast
A tremendous victory at The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough saw Brentford extend their unbeaten run to 20 league matches. Billy TheBee Grant, Dave Laney Lane and Liberal Tom Fidler hooked up in the virtual joint to discuss: What was a better feat? Twenty games...
It’s All Gone Topsy Turvey – Middlesbrough v Brentford Pre-Match Podcast
Brentford stretched their unbeaten run to 19 games after a win against Bristol City. But it didn't all go to plan as City took another early lead with yet another set piece into the area causing mayhem in the Bees defence But goals from Canos, Toney and Ghoddos saw...
Bristol City preview: Brentford finally set to meet the Robins
Brentford's game with Bristol City Is finally set to go ahead on Wednesday - the fourth different date the fixture has had this season. It was initially due to be played on Saturday 2 January, but was called off after Covid symptoms in the Robins squad. It was then...
The Brentford High School End Of Year Reports
Beesotted’s supply teacher, Condorman, casts his eye back over the class of 2017/2018. The dust has now settled on another enjoyable year at Brentford High School with the pupils again setting some high standards against other places of learning who often...
Play Or Stay Drama At Griffin Park
With the transfer deadline looming and one or two Brentford players having to make decisions about their futures at Griffin Park, we thought it would be interesting to delve into the brand new Big Book of Griffin Park again and contrast how transfer negotiations have...
Brentford Defeat Three World Cup Winners At Griffin Park
Griffin Park has witnessed many things in its long and eventful history, and although time is running out for the old girl with the new stadium about to be built, we all hope there’s some significant history yet to be made at our proud old home. However, I can’t see...
The Most Significant Event In Brentford History?
The most significant event to happen at Griffin Park after joining the Football League in 1920 was, without doubt, the appointment of Harry Curtis as the club’s manager – some may even go as far as to say it was the most significant moment in the club’s entire...
Brentford Legend Bob Taylor Interview At The Fullers’ Brewery
Ex Brentford striker Bob Taylor joined the Beesotted crew, Marcus Gayle, Kev O'Connor and a room full of Brentford fans at the Fullers’ Brewery for the traditional end of year Bees-Up. A hilarious evening in which he told of his partnership with Nicky Forster as one...
The Griffin Park Invincibles
Brentford's impressive home record to date this year, despite several 'wish-we-could-have-avoided' draws against 'teams-like' opposition, is something we all hope continues for the rest of the season, however, the 2017/18 run hasn't got a patch on events from 88 years...