With two days until the big game, the name of Brentford is suddenly to be found all across the media. While there is bound to be a lot more coverage on Saturday and then Sunday morning, here is the Beesotted round-up of what has been out there so far. Ian Westbrook provides an insight into some of the early stories…
Chelsea’s official website has a great anecdote from a pre-season friendly between Brentford and the Blues at Griffin Park in 1984.
A former Stamford Bridge catering manager, who had taken on a similar role with the Bees, came on as a substitute which was a condition of him supplying food for the match. The match preview also reveals that if there is a replay, it will take place on the day of the fifth round, Saturday, February 16 – well you never know!
They also report that thieves broke into Griffin Park hoping to steal tickets for the last FA Cup meeting between the sides in 1950.
They couldn’t find any so instead stole wines and spirits from the boardroom and some footballs!
______________________________________________________________
While one or two Brentford players tweeted their pleasure at not having to face Eden Hazard on Sunday, one who will be disappointed is Harry Forrester.
Speaking to Tribal Football straight after the replay win over Southend, he said: “I want Hazard’s shirt. I watched him on Match of the Day and he was unbelievable.”
______________________________________________________________
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley, speaking before the Blues’ failure to reach the Capital One Cup Final, said his old side face a “nightmare scenario” on Sunday.
He told the Wandsworth Guardian: “It is a game that will mean more to some players than to others”.
_______________________________________________________________
Clayton Donaldson has played against mega-stars before.
The Sutton Guardian reveals he appeared for Hibernian in a friendly against Barcelona, and looking at the Chelsea players the Bees’ top scorer added: “You want to play at the highest level so you want to emulate them.”
________________________________________________________________
Paul Hayes has been explaining to The Sun some differences between playing for Brentford and Chelsea.
“We don’t have private jets like the Chelsea boys. We only get a train home if we win. But you have to make sacrifices at this level.”
________________________________________________________________
Marcello Trotta has two reasons for wanting to knock Chelsea out of the FA Cup on Sunday.
The on loan Fulham striker told the Fulham Chronicle: “Being a Fulham player I have an extra incentive as they are our rivals.”
_______________________________________________________________
Brentford fan Jonathan McIntosh has told Edinburgh paper The Journal about his big weekend.
Hope he doesn’t turn up 24 hours early however as he says: “On Saturday I’ll be at my beloved Griffin Park, a small traditional stadium famous for having a pub on each corner – not famous for very much else.”
_______________________________________________________________
If Brentford pull off a shock win and you are hungry after the match, then head for the Bees Café on Brentford High Street.
The Brentford TW8 website reports that meals on ‘The Match’ menu will be available on a special offer of buy one, get one free if the Bees beat Chelsea.
_____________________________________________________________________
And finally, away from Griffin Park there is another FA Cup tie this weekend with strong Bees connections as Paul Buckle takes his Luton side to face Chris Hughton’s Norwich at Carrow Road.
Buckle told the Eastern Daily Press: “Chris and I were in the Championship with Brentford. He’s a top person and a real good friend. I used to drive in with him to training and games and he has helped me throughout my career.”
IAN WESTBROOK
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
CastBox
Acast
TuneIn
Google Podcasts
