Thirty years ago almost to the day I walked down Wembley Way in ill-fitting jeans and a hideous shirt with a hairstyle to match (pictured above with the old school BYE lol) … just to have my heart broken – regular Beesotted contributor and Journalist Jim Levack writes his personal thoughts on a club that has clearly bothered him for the past three decades!
It was, as it turned out, to be a regular appointment with disappointment that usually ended at one or other of the national stadiums.
I remember vividly Robbie Cooke’s swivel and volley into the roof of the net that gave us brief hope, followed three minutes later by the inevitable disappointment of the killer goal.
Crewe, Port Vale and Swansea would follow the Latics into the history books as winners against a Brentford side that seemed destined to live out its life – and more importantly mine – in the lower reaches of the league.
How things have changed.
There’s a kind of beautiful symmetry in the fact that Wigan, who we meet on Saturday, are arguably back where they and their slightly unsavoury owner belong.
I have never quite forgiven them for that day in June 1985 when my teens to twenties heroes Hurlock, Kamara, Booker (pictured above at Wembley) and Salman wilted in the summer sun beneath the Twin Towers.
With the benefit of hindsight I’d say the experience helped shape me and other fans as people and went some way to moulding the identity of the very different looking club we know today.
Wigan, as recent events have shown. were an outfit built on an ego trip, a club that despite coming from non-league never truly captured the hearts of supporters who still love a good rags to riches romance.
Once they won the FA Cup – a day when they flirted briefly with the affections of the football public – it was as if Dave Whelan had reached the summit and could finally lay the ghost of his injury-savaged former career.
Football managers tend to steer clear of words like revenge, but never has the word been more apposite for me than when the Brentford of 2015 walk out onto the immaculate turf on Saturday.
I would love Ipswich to come unstuck in Lancashire and for Derby to slip up against a Reading side that seem to be on the beach already, and for us to put in the kind of performance that we have been throughout this unforgettable season.
But unlike with other promotion campaigns of recent years I’m honestly not nervous in the slightest, partly because the day will also be tinged with an array of other emotions. And because none of us expected this on the final day in our wildest dreams.
There will be sadness at the departure of Mark Warburton, one of the best managers of our time whose exit seems, strangely, to have been grudgingly accepted by supporters usually hell-bent on swamping the Braemar Road forecourt to protest when something irks them.
Perhaps we have no choice but to put our faith in Matthew Benham, who may know and in time reveal more of the picture than we currently do.
Come 5pm on Saturday I’d love us to herald in the next chapter in our remarkable history – shaped by days like that in 1985 – with an emphatic win over a Wigan side.
Personally it would lay once and for all the Wembley ghost and who knows, might even mean a place in the play offs. Either way, I’ll be delighted.
Jim Levack
@J1mblee
Sorry, being a Wigan fan, I find this article offensive. We did actually make many friends during our time in the Barclays Premier League and this article seems to be built on the foundations of sour grapes.
I’ve nothing against Brentford, but I do feel that this article was designed to both mock and rip apart Wigan, all in one go. As a Wigan fan, I am disappointed to read this, yet the internet seems to be filled with haters, who are all laughing at our demise (for now).
I for one, would never laugh at another team’s misfortune and as far as I am concerned, all teams deserve the same level of respect in the game and the game should be there to be enjoyed, along with the appropriate banter from other supporters.
You’ve really disappointed me and I feel you don’t give the game credit, by some of the things you write.
As a Bees fan who was at Wembley in 1985, and who’ll be at Griffin Park on Saturday, I have simply no idea why the author has written what reads, to me, as a strangely bitter attack against another football club with whom Brentford have never had any genuine issues with. Even the Adam Forshaw transfer was entirely understandable (for him). Saturday should be for Bees fans to celebrate how much we’ve achieved this season, not an occasion to celebrate the relegation of another football club. I’m afraid that, on this occasion, Mr Levack has got it wrong.
What a terrific response
Well put Robin. Now let me put it another way. If I ever meet the moron who wrote this he will be making a visit to his dentist, to replace his missing teeth.
This article seems extremely bitter. It’s a shame that the fans of football read such one sided stupidity from people like yourselves. Too bothered about the failings of others than see the flaws of your own.
I sincerely hope that you review your article and imagine if it was your club in our position. maybe you would be a little more sensitive to the issue.
Until your enlightenment you sir a considered a idiot at very least in my book.
I agree this article does need to be reviewed. “Good riddance, Wigan,” leaves a bitter taste in the mouth from the very beginning. Only a few things need to be changed – there’s no need to insult Wigan fans, whatsoever. I do believe football needs banter, but there’s banter AND there’s banter.
Not “come 5pm”, the kick off is at 12.15, so don’t get there late Jim.
WRT the Wigan comments, I can understand the offence, but please remember that you knicked our manager and best player as you were “A bigger club” and then didn’t know what to do with them. Also, your chairman famously whinged about the money that was getting teams to the top, which we thought was “rich” at the time. You will probably come back up soon as we well know from bitter experience, so just keep supporting them.
Think you need to let bygones be bygones now, mate. Yep, football’s swings and roundabouts. However, I have nothing against Brentford and wish them only the best for next season. They are a respectable London club as we are a respectable Lancashire club.
Sorry if I’ve upset you guys, but mocking was certainly not my intention. And it’s definitely not offensive – just one person’s view.
Just as Liverpool hate Everton, Orient despise Brentford and countless other clubs bear grudges against their rivals. That is surely the very essence of football?
That day in 1985 was the first time I’d been to see my club at Wembley and like many others, I’d be quick to admit that we were well beaten on the day.
It came when I was 20 and full of hope. Wigan dashed that hope, that’s all. No one died, there was no tragedy like Nepal. We lost a game of football.
But I won’t pretend I was thrilled by the ensuing success of a club run by a character who I’ve always thought less than savoury. Again my opinion.
All teams deserve the same respect in the game? Really? Respect has to be earned and Brentford are now finally earning it for the football they play and yes, things can change very quickly as yourselves, Tranmere and Bournemouth will testify.
Oh and for the record I have nowt against Wigan fans, were warmly welcomed by them and my family who live there, but they will always be – in my bitter eyes – a small club that hit the big time for a while.
I have reviewed the article and concluded that football without an edge would be a very boring sport indeed, but then I am an unenlightened idiot.
You can’t say something is definitively *not* offensive when obviously it is.
Wigan fans have had enough of all these anti-wigan comments now. Even the big guns are having a dig. Its just sad, really. We are a perfectly respectable Lancashire team who has had a lot of great success within the last twenty years and we are no different than any other team – ‘big’ teams are just tags imo.
Yes, you can bear grudges, but I disagree its the essence of football – football is a game to be enjoyed and with respectable banter from both sets of fans – sometimes that line is crossed and imo, is not acceptable because this type of banter, as one calls it, actually affects fans quite deeply at times and this shouldn’t be the case.
How can you say that Wigan don’t earn respect, as well? We earned respect from the way we rose from the lower leagues to the Premier League, had EIGHT successful seasons there and won the FA Cup. So Dave Whelan is outspoken? So what? So are a lot of people. I do agree that at times, he may go overboard in some of the things he does, but that does not make him a less respectable figure – I just think Dave Whelan is a figure who lives with his own particular values and unfortunately, those values came over in recent media interviews, when they shouldn’t have done. He was deemed to be racist, but he’s not the world’s first and he won’t be the last – its only because he’s in the spotlight. I deplore racism on every level. Dave Whelan also recognised, to his credit, he made an error of judgment and stepped down because of that.
Also, you call us a small club? Well, the way you write your comment is suggesting that we are the only small club in your eyes, or at least, that’s what you’d like to believe. That’s your opinion. Okay. You just seem to be overly embittered by us, for whatever reason, yet you claim to have nothing against us and for now, decline to change your article? To me, that seems to be hypocritical. Do the decent thing and change it, because nobody wants to see this, especially the Wigan fans. Do yourself another favour and let go of grudges from years past, as well.
If Brentford went up in the same way Wigan did, I wouldn’t begrudge them their success – that’s the difference between a fan who is decent and I say this carefully, a fan who perhaps needs to recognise the true values of what football represents – a game to be enjoyed and which can tolerate friendly banter. The ‘edge’ you refer to? This article does not reflect football with an ‘edge.’ Its embittered in its construction. Do the decent thing and change it.
Upon final reflection, I wish you well and Brentford well for next season and I hope you see it within yourself to change this article, because if you don’t, you’ll just show yourself up further and possibly open yourself up to abuse, which under the circumstances, wouldn’t be unsurprising.
Think you’ve hit a raw nerve here Jim touchy bunch aren’t they
Well the way the article is written and the general consensus, even amongst Bee fans, as is evident, that it is ill-advised, can you blame us Latics fans?
Good point Spanish Bee… old habits die hard.
have no bad feelings against Wigan have been made most welcome when last in Wigan but do hope bees beat them on saturday
This is how banter should be.
Jim Levack, your comment regarding Dave Whelan being unsavoury is in itself offensive. How well do you know him? About the level of the oft misquoted journalists? Dave is an honourable man who took over Wigan Athletic and delivered on his promise to take us to the Premier division of English football and then gave us the bonus of an FA cup win. He has now retired and is fully entitled to do so, he is 78 years old. So unless you really do know something we don’t give hime the respect he deserves. It would be good to see you guys get promotion to the championship, you have had a very good season. Good luck on Saturday
Another well said response.
I had nothing against Brentford, untill now.
Please tell me your not a professional journalist as that is the most boring, childish and pointless articel i have ever seen. Hating a team for 30 years because they beat you in minor cup final, to which a large section of both fans won’t have even remembered the day, is absolutely pathetic, luckily for Brentford my father told me that their fans waited outside Wembley and applauded wigan, which if true deserves massive respect
I guess its a case of some Brentford fans *cough* still harbour resentment for something which happened years ago – for goodness sake, get over it. It is not a matter of life and death and I hope you see the comparison, so you can appreciate there are things in life which are FAR more important. Also, the Brentford fans who applauded Wigan are to be very much respected and show a good spirit to this side of the game.
I have to concur. This article reeks of bitterness.
We as a club endured a long spell of lower league,garbage football until our chairman propelled us to better times. We have always bought sensibly and pursued up and coming talent even during our PL tenure.
Yes,we beat you in the freight rover final. What was we supposed to do? Lose?
With regards to Rosler,yes you lost your manager but you were compensated and he left you a good squad of players in which your current manager inherited. We lost Bruce & Martinez to ‘bigger’ clubs. That’s football.
Adam Forshaw was touted by Rosler,he is a northern lad and wanted to return up north. You made a large profit on his transfer and adequately replaced him. Again,we have lost several players under the same circumstances. Again,that’s football.
As for us being ‘back where we belong’ … Where do we belong exactly?
Do you feel the same about Bournemouth? Do they not have a place amongst the elite because they have a small ground and subsequent small following?
We have been mocked by so many sets of rival supporters and critics alike. We are hardened to it. Your ‘views’ are far from football related and are purely a personal gripe.
I normally laugh off most of them but I feel that you do not have the accuatate facts to support your slur against our football club.
If you can be bothered to read our rivals website ‘vital Wigan’ you will see that our publisher Worbo, obviously a Wigan fan but his articles and comments are always written in a fair manner.
Maybe you should take a leaf out of the books of others.
I have nothing against Wigan was made very welcome at there old ground did hate them when they beat us at Wembley not us much as I hate mk Dons but I do the bees beat them saturday
Well I hope you’ve put that hatred behind you now.
Good luck to the Bees, from a Wigan fan. You, and Bournemouth, are teams built in the same way that we were. Endeavour and passion, something we have sadly lacked this season. We’ll be back, but we’ve had our moment in the sun, the spotlight shines on others now.
The article could have been better titled though as I can see why people will automatically jump on it as being laughing at other misfortune (regardless of how deserved it is, it’s never a good look for a blog/editorial!).
I think you will find that Brentford beat themselves at that freight rover final..i was there and brought loads of workmates…the team were still on the beach in Cyprus soaking out the excesses of lager consumed apparently
(a tale once told me by one ex-bees player who was there )..the end of season trip to Cyprus had already been booked before Brentford qualified for the Wembley final and so they decided to go ahead with it returning to London just a day or two beforehand and had no time to get some real practice in
Holding a grudge for thirty years? You need help I think not revenge!!! In no particular order of importance let’s look at the article….. At the time of the final Wigan were in fact…. Well nothing really!!! We were massive underdogs and the lads played themselves into the ground to take that trophy. Had it been the other way around I would have been happy to say the better team won and moved on with my life not wallow in self pity for three decades!! As for Dave Whelan, unsavoury? Dave Whelan is a guy nearing his latter days who has dedicated his life and money to football investing in a near bankrupt team and staying loyal to his vision. Is that unsavoury? Not for me! Unsavoury is the Vincent Tan’s of the sport with little regard for the feelings of fans or players. Yes Dave made some silly remarks but he was speaking as a Lancashire person of his era speaks it’s not right but there it is. Did you never smile at Alf Garnett? Have you never thought Prince Phillip… He is a character? If you have then you are a hypocrite. As for stealing your manager? He could have said no, you could have said no to the reported huge compensation you were paid for him…. It worked for both clubs at the time and I think you actually kept the better man in Warburton!!
In summary, Wigan don’t dislike Brentford and should you make it to promotion I sincerely hope you consolidate it and stay up but I will be there Saturday as I have been for 40 years as a Latic and I am happy to say that win lose or draw I will show your club a much larger amount of respect than you are showing mine. Dan
We don’t a comment about knocking people’s teeth u kind of people bring football a bad name any way well done Wigan to get to the top flight and winning the fa cup I know it piss the big clubs off when us small clubs step on there toes up the bees
It wasn’t the best choice of phrases by one of ours and not my view but when our club is failing and loyal supporters upset the article does hurt a bit…… Especially when in the main our fans are wishing you well. As one of my latics brethren stated We bear no ill feelings to other clubs (to some extent that includes Bolton too!!) and having felt the dismay of relegation many times as a Latic I take no pleasure in it for others. In your position it’s strange to come across such bitterness when all should be hearts, flowers and wonder!!!
Good luck Bees, obviously I hope our lads spoil your party a little but definitely good luck to Warburton on his next role. If he instills the flair and positivity into his next role that he gave to you he will be one to watch. Dan
Who are Brentford again? I forget cause they aint done ish’. and how can you say Wigan BELONG in the lower leagues you are a god damn Brentford fan Jim you absolute mayonnaise sandwich
I actually prefer salad cream
Only good thing about Wigan is the pies. COME ON YOU BEES
There’s a lot of good things about Wigan, other than the pies, pal.
Seeing as many ex wigan players are still playing in the prem, and in decent leagues around the world, i wouldn’t say we belong where brentford do. how many ex brentford players are in the prem jim? 1 at the most? possibly two, i’ll never believe there is 3 even if you give me names.
I think we should put this one to bed good luck for next season hope u have s quick return to the championship as for a bees fan have got over that cup final
Well said, Ian!
Wigan were a club built on solid foundations going from collecting money at the turnstiles to a premier league club for many seasons. People forget we a in close proximity to man u, city, Everton, Liverpool, Blackburn, Bolton and a huge rugby town. Ok we are now in the lower league but I remember Chelsea, City and forest being there to name a few but so what, we won an fa cup and got into Europe so I would take that and our current position all day long over a minor club that has fulfilled its potential. We will be back and you know it. The fact that you still go on about one minor day in your life 30 years ago meant you didn’t drink enough on the day or are a miserable t**t
I’d say it’s the latter
Time to put this to bed, but when I showed this to a neutral footballing fan, he was unimpressed. Therefore, it speaks volumes about how detrimental this article is. Do the decent thing and change it. If not, then you really have some burning issue if you can’t let 30 years of angst slip away.
Not your best contribution Jim but I’m sure that it was meant to be more tonge in cheek than it has unfortunately come across.
Whilst I’m optimistic bordering on confident of Brentford’s future I realize that it could be ‘Status Quo’ or ‘Two Direction’ where our future lies so I hope that our Wigan friends don’t take it as arrogant or patronizing when I’m reminded of a saying that goes along the lines of ” be nice to the people you meet on the way up as you just might meet them again on the way down”
As regards a 30 year grudge, although not even born at the time I still say that if Hitler hadn’t started WW2 Brentford would still be a top tier club.
Wigan will always be a rugby town, the football club being a footnote in the history of the place. Heading back to their natural surroundings in lower league football along with Fulham. Supporters of other clubs are not duty bound to feel your pain, so get real.
Love Brentford, couldn’t give a monkeys for any other club.