The first ever Beesotted “Best and Worst of the Season” survey threw up some interesting perspectives from the terraces.
Our West London rivals Fulham featured heavily – finding themselves at the top of a number of the polls.
Little did our old foes realize when Brentford fans tweeted photos of their fans crying on the terraces at the end of last season that our long overdue meetings this season would bring so much more joy and celebration to the TW8 region.
We covered a plethora of subjects in the survey including Best overall matchday experience, worst football match (on the pitch), best ground, most welcoming fans at away matches, best Brentford pub, best Beesotted video moment, best Pride of West London podcast, most effective slogan, best beard best & worst moments of the season.
We have split the survey into three parts to make it easier to digest. Part 2 and 3 can also be found on www.beesotted.co.uk.
Best and Worst matches of the season
Unsurprisingly, Fulham (away) was overwhelmingly voted both best overall football experience of the season (60%) AND best on the pitch football match of the season (25%) by Brentford fans.
With fans describing it as the ‘best day ever .. all of it’, it’s obvious that this game is going to take some beating over the next few years.
Fulham (home) was the next best matchday experience of the season (8%) with the 2-1 win at Norwich 3rd place with 4% of the vote.
On the pitch, behind the Fulham away match, our 3-1 dispatching of Bournemouth (19%) was deemed the next best performance by the Bees all season with the 4-0 demolition of Wolves in 3rd place (11%).
Charlton (away) was deemed the worst day out for Bees fans (24%) with the 4-0 Boro league away defeat in 2nd place (13%) and the Cardiff home match in 3rd place (9%).
Fans felt that the team looked like ‘Brentford of old’ – not turning up and unable to string two passes together. It was also the 1st sign of the team obviously beginning to tire. The Warburton situation, which broke a few days before, was also highlighted as a reason why the atmosphere was so bad.
On the pitch, Boro away was narrowly voted best on-the-pitch performance by the Bees (27%) with Charlton away (25%) a close 2nd
Our Boro performance was described by one fan as “Defensively awful, attacking non-existend and 2nd in every single department” and that summed it up to a tee.
Best and Worst grounds visited
Designated the unofficial ‘big away day out’, Brighton away was overwhelmingly voted best stadium visited (24%). Fans were impressed with how Brighton went out the way to make away fans feel welcome.
“They really made you feel welcome with brentford videos playing and brentford logos above the bar.”
Surprisingly, Fulham was voted 2nd best stadium with 14% of the vote. Ironically, Craven Cottage was also voted worst stadium Bees fans had visited with 13% of the vote
Millwall, Birmingham, Blackpool and Reading’s grounds were all not held in high regard by Bees fans whereas Boro, Reading (the marmite factor), Leeds, Derby and Cardiff all impressed to a certain extent
Best fans.
Boro fans were narrowly voted best away fans to visit Griffin Park this season (17%) with Wigan a close 2nd (16%). Most Boro fans who came down to both games at Griffin Park were there for the party – arriving at the pubs early and taking part in good warm banter.
Meanwhile, Wigan fans came down and had a right good olde relegation party – highlighting the fact that Bees fans and Wigan fans were probably more similar that we at first thought.
One Bees fan commented about Boro fans
“Sold out their allocation for a 12:15 kick off during miserable January weather. Credit.”
And about Wigan fans.
“Came to party and enjoy day out even though they had been relegated. Genuine fans who follow through thick and thin who seemed impressed by how well we have done and played”
Blackpool, Leeds and Forest fans also got plaudits from Bees fans for their visit to Griffin Park
Meanwhile, Fulham fans were voted the worst away fans to visit Griffin Park. Ironically with clubs like Millwall and Leeds having terrible reputations, Fulham fans were the only fans to have actually caused trouble at Griffin Park this season.
Boro fans were like marmite with Bees fans – being loved and hated at the same time – being voted the 2nd worst fans to visit Griffin Park along with Blackpool, Rotherham and Leeds fans. The Boro experience obviously was vastly different depending on which Boro fan you met.
One Bees fan commented about Boro fans
“Arrogant, aggressive sods who looked down on Bees fans”
On our away trips, once again Boro fans were voted most welcoming fans for Bees fans (17%), closely followed by Brighton fans (15%).
Reading, Norwich, Bournemouth and Cardiff were all given the thumbs up by Bees fans on their travels
Interestingly, the fans who didn’t seem to win Bees fans over in the hospitality stakes included Birmingham, Sheffield Weds, Bolton, Wolves, Blackpool, Leeds and Hudderfield fans – all of which clocked only 1% of the vote for “Most welcoming away fans”.
You can check the results in full below:
- What has been the best match of the season (overall experience not just on the pitch)
Fulham away
Every single thing about it. Pre-match boat to Putney. 6000 bees there and we smashed them! Fantastic game. Brilliant atmosphere.
Best day ever.
Boro playoff home
Yeah we lost. But it was by far the best pre-match atmosphere I’ve felt at Griffin Park. And Andre Gray’s goals produced the biggest sense of ecstasy felt in our tiny West London ground for many a year. Very proud of ‘little olde Brentford’ on the big stage!
Fulham home
Atmosphere in the build up. Tension throughout the match. And the noise created by the fans during it. Oh and I think some bloke scored towards the end which was okay as well.
- What has been the worst match of the season (overall experience not just on the pitch)
Boro away
Long drive and the team didn’t turn up
Millwall home
We as fans let the team down with a lack of atmosphere that day and it transcended onto pitch. There was fear in the air and there was no need to be. That resulting in a bad result and a bad atmosphere all round.
Charlton away
Performance on the pitch. Behaviour of supporters in front of me. Father being horrible to his son. Food & drink kiosks for away fans inadequate.
Just announced that Warbs was leaving. Everything was flat from the performance of the team to the fans’ reactions. Just a bad day out
3 – 0 defeat to a poor side. Everyone flat after the Watford disappointment 4 days before. Huge concerns about Warburton situation and Bees fans fighting amongst themselves. A sh*te part of london with no good pubs. It rained. Enough said?
Bolton away
Soul-less ground. Rubbish atmosphere. Herded into one “plastic” pub/restaurant not particularly close to ground to drink out if dirty plastic glasses.
Horrible, horrible, interminable journey. Appalling lacklustre performance against a poor team. Crap tea. Loud music over the PA when they scored Alan Mac got injured. Caught a cough and cold from one of my travelling companions
- What has been the best football match of the season (on the pitch action only)
Forest away
3-0 so early on against a team that was in the top 5 at the time was amazing. Team looked unstopable all game long.
Unbelievable performance put in with almost total domination at the home of 2 time former european champions. My little old club was feasting on big fish from here on in.
Derby home
I think this was the first real time that everyone associated with the club realised that we could not just hold our own but really compete at this level, against at the time a very good attacking derby side
Bournemouth home
We blew away the league leaders and in all honesty it could’ve been a lot lot more
Millwall away
Millwall away was a game was the first time in the season where i thought we had a chance of going far in this league . We didnt stop playing our passing game even after they came back into it.
Brighton home
End to end game with plenty of goals, twists and turns with both teams playing great football. A great atmosphere as well. It was this game when i realised that bfc were gunna have a good season and (thought at the time) we would easily finish in the top half of the table 🙂
Bournemouth away
End to end game with plenty of goals, twists and turns with both teams playing great football. A great atmosphere as well. It was this game when i realised that bfc were gunna have a good season and (thought at the time) we would easily finish in the top half of the table 🙂
- What has been the worst football match of the season (on the pitch action only)
Charlton away
Couldn’t string a pass together
We went back to the bad old days , no one turned up on the pitch and in my view the first real sign that the bees were beginning to tire in the season
We weren’t Brentford on that day
Boro away playoffs
It was inevitable but we totally capitulated in every way without a fight, which was so unlike anything we’d seen all year but maybe it needed to happen and i for one am glad we didn’t go up to the so called “promised land” of the premiership where money rules everything.
Millwall home
We thought we had won it before kick off and played poorly.
Boro away
Seeing our own players arguing with each other on the pitch and then some leaving to go home alone afterwards said it all about this performance. It was like the bad old days. Defensively awful, attacking non existent and second in every single department
Rotherham home
A pretty dreadful game, especially the first half. It was bloody cold too and a crap atmosphere. First game i had experienced where there was no standing ovation.
- The best ground/stadium visited this season
Brighton
They really made you feel welcome with Brentford videos playing and Brentford logos above the bar. They even had a message in the toilets whisking us a safe journey home.
Excellent view. Not your typical new ‘lego’ stadium.
God I hope Lionel Road is something like this place. It’s like a mini wembley. There is even legroom when you sit down!
Beautiful stadium. Only knock is its a bit in the middle of nowhere
Great away end. Their club left nice messages to the away fans thanking us for travelling to the game and the stewards were friendly
The most impressive looking but lacked atmosphere
Boro
It was the biggest away section alongside great atmosphere. Even though we lost still a great day out
Premier league standard and the atmosphere was immense!
Leeds
Proper old ground. Proper old atmosphere. You could see why they say a hostile home crowd is worth a goal’s start. Thankfully we had a strong ref not giving in to the pressure on him from players and fans.
Bolton
M&S nearby for girlfriend
- The worst ground/stadium visited this season
Fulham
Felt like the floor could fall in
Coz it’s Fulham
Birmingham
The ground was in the middle of nowhere and was not nice to go to. I definitely will not be going there again.
Millwall
Rough area. Awful fans. Glad we won’t be there next season.
The intimadation and the alleyway you have to go through from the station
Sheffield Weds
Looks tired. Needs a massive overhaul
The most soulless ground I’ve been to in ages. Nott close to the pitch either. Stewards were great though and I’m sure its better during big games
Charlton
Stewards were idiots. Area shocking. Left very depressed. One crap pub local
Reading
Cant stand this stadium. No pubs nearby and I had the worst seat ever right at the back and on its own next to a pillar….bizzare!!
Soul-less
Ipswich
Tiny, little dingy place once inside. Nightmare getting there too.
- Who have been the best away fans to visit Griffin Park
Norwich
Filled their stand and a bit extra on a tuesday night
Leeds
Good bunch of people, came for the football and the beer and nothing else. Very complimentary of the way we play football which is hard to do in defeat
Passionate, vociferous and didn’t stop making noise from the beginning to end. They did go a bit quieter when it was clear they were on to a beating!!
I thought the Wigan turnout and noise was also good seeing they had already been relegated.
Wigan
Even though they went down, they did still sing and also had a bit of banter about their relegation. Clapped us after our play off achivement as well
Lovely bunch to chat to and coming all that way when already doomed after being a pre-season cert to go up. What a sh!t season they had but still smiling.
Despite relegation they still had a sense of humour.
Singing – Que sera sera
Whatever will be will be
We’re going to Shrewsbury!
Came to party and enjoy day out even though they had been relegated. Genuine fans who follow through thick and thin who seemed impressed by how well we have done and played. No signs of animosity from the Rosler/Forshaw spats. Good crowd.
Boro
Sold out their allocation for a 12:15 kick off during miserable January weather. Credit.
Actually out-sung us in our biggest game ever (playoff game)
Blackpool
After the season they have had, fair play to them for travelling down for a Tuesday night game only to see their team being hammered …. again.
Millwall
Hands down the best fans I’ve seen. Nasty. Savage and a “take no prisoners” feel about it. I would imagine that in the 80’s…
Bournemouth
Not too up themselves. Appreciated both us and them have come from the same divisions recently.
Forest
Very loud and good banter
Blackpool
It takes a lot of loyalty and balls to travel and watch that club at the moment.
To keep following that they must all be saints
Despite the situation they found themselves in they still had a large number come down to griffin park on a cold tuesday night! Respect!
Ipswich
Ipswich were cool and very friendly
- Who have been the worst away fans to visit Griffin Park
Rotherham
Didn’t sing all game
Awful. Didn’t add to the atmosphere, shocking fans.
Fulham
Disgusting. Starting fights. Running on the pitch. It’s what I’ve come to expect from Fulham fans. Shame they don’t have the same at atmosphere at Craven Cottage.
Aggressive at the station. Scared my daughter.
Moody and the only fans to have caused trouble.
Wolves
Horrible fans. Think they are better than what they are. Rude to bar staff in the Princess Royal.
Bolton
Once again, club who have seen big time but now fans are slowly drifting away because they are on the slide. Only hardcore fans came and it wasn’t pretty.
Forest
Can’t stand a team banging on about its history like they did constantly. As Warbs said it’s about the now not the history of these ‘big’ clubs.
Boro
Arrogant, aggressive sods who looked down on Bees fans
The police stood at Brook road and watched them leave and disperse straight down Braemar Rd where I was leaving with my family. We were getting coins thrown at us. They were calling us names and pushing other people. Right outside our gates….
Attitude- both in the league game ‘no disrespect to yous (sic) but our club shouldn’t be playing the likes of Brentford.’ and the playoffs- ‘I’ve already booked my trip to Wembley’
Always big themselves up and it will backfire on them very soon! Too cocky!
Leeds
1970 beer monsters grow up idiots
Some just look pure evil
In fairness, there were no really bad fans. Leeds fans had a bit of a hint of big club syndrome about them so they win.
Bournemouth
Surly, sour, moaning fans
Sheffield Weds
That fat bloke dancing with his top off. Didn’t need to see that.
- Who have been the best/most welcoming fans at the away matches Bees fans have travelled to
Reading
Good bunch of fans. Welcoming and just genuine nice people
Lovely. Helpful. Praising us and our team. Friendly banter on the side.
Staff all wearing Pride of West London tops was a nice touch. Also playing our promotion season review
Cardiff
Just all round good and friendly feel to the place. Good respect between fans too
Bournemouth
No nastiness. Pleasant atmosphere and a good day out to enjoy. Great football on the pitch and a cracking place to visit. Only wish we had more games here in summer months.
Boro
Stayed in the town after and talked about the game. They weren’t annoying like Watford fans and weren’t taking the p!ss
Had the best night in their biggest pub
Massive difference from Ayresome Park days (Gruesome Park would be a better name). Very helpful fans and stewards and even welcomed us in their bar under the home stand afterwards in a gracious way. No problems and no gloating.
Forest
Friendly people out to enjoy the match regardless of what the outcome may be.
Top lass I met up there.
Rotherham
Always friendly. Shared an excellent pub with good local ales prior to the game.
Blackburn
Met some people up there in the pub. Played pool with them and then they walked us to the ground as we had no clue where it was. Top notch.
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