Despite covering Brentford for the Chronicle and latterly the Press Association for nudging three decades, my ‘proper’ job has always been in news.
After an early stint on the nationals, which I hated for its showbiz tittle-tattle and lack of community responsibility, I moved into regional newspapers.
That meant countless drab council meetings, sometimes dominated by councilors who loved nothing more than the sound of their own voices and the chance to air their own self-importance.
So when Brian Burgess and Co first vaunted the idea of a new stadium at Lionel Road, my initial reaction was… ‘Hmmm, not in my time’.
Today, thanks to the hard work of his team, architects, officers and councillors, we stand on the threshold of history.
I have to admit that talk of leaving Griffin Park leaves me – and probably all true Bees fans – with a slightly empty feeling in the stomach.
Rainy Tuesday nights under the floodlights against a top team, fans breathing down the neck of the opposition, the slightly run-down feel of a proper football ground. A fortress.
My old man always used to wait for me in the forecourt after the game to “compare notes”. Since his passing I still walk over the same spot and think of him each time.
But time moves on and progress can’t and shouldn’t be stopped, and although it breaks my heart to say it, we are rapidly outgrowing our current home.
Brentford’s work in the community and deserved national acclaim in that area alone mean its work is now at risk of being stifled by the location.
On the field, the club is now a very different proposition to its precursor with the emphasis on developing young talent and, again, forging links with the community.
The pros and cons to Lionel Road have already been debated and it looks like being a close call, with the ranks of official supporters very similar to the numbers of objectors.
Officers have recommended approval which would suggest that they think it’s a well thought-out plan which meets community, retail, infrastructure and residential needs for the parcel of land.
But as I know from experience, councilors can be easily driven by other factors such as votes and timings of when they are due for re-election.
For that reason alone it’s vital that Brentford fans in the area get along to Thursday night’s meeting to make sure that a fair decision is reached that’s both accountable, transparent and rational.
If such a forward-thinking scheme fails at the hands of those who shout loudest, then it could be a political and social own goal that the borough rues for many years to come.
My advice to councilors is simple and I have no reason to doubt that they will do otherwise… do the right thing based on the long term good for the general area you represent and don’t be influenced by the anti-football crowd who wrongly still associate the game with trouble.
Brentford FC isn’t like that. It’s proud to be part of its community and contributes, not out of altruism but because it’s the thing that a family club with its roots steeped in tradition, does.
Jim Levack
@Jlmblee1
