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 changed down the years. This absolute gem is taken from the Daily Mirror on February 23, 1939, and details a very different situation to certain players who have left for pastures new in the past couple of years.
“It was time to change for the match. And Bobby Reid, Brentford Scottish international left-winger, was the centre of a confused scene below the crowded stands at Griffin Park yesterday. Sheffield United had just made Manager Harry Curtis a big offer for him, but Reid was undecided. Said Mr. Curtis, turning to Reid: “It’s up to you.””
“With one look towards the dressing room and another to the clock, Reid replied: “Mr. Curtis, let Les Smith play outside-left today. I’d like to go home and consult my wife.””
“Mr. Curtis agreed, Reid went home, and midway through the second half of the match against Portsmouth, was back at Griffin Park. He told Mr. Curtis: “All right, sir. I’ll go.” He signed for Sheffield United as the crowd were cheering deputy Smith for a brilliant effort that almost brought a goal.”
“The price paid by Sheffield United was not disclosed, but it may be recalled that last season Chelsea offered Brentford £6,000 for him. Brentford signed Reid from Hamilton Academicals three years ago at a fee of over £4,000. He has been a consistent goalscorer.”
The extract is taken from the brand new Big Book of Griffin Park book, which is crammed full of hundreds of stories and photographs that 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
Bees Breakdown’s Tactical Breakdown – Bournemouth 1 Brentford 2
Beesotted contributor Jacob ‘The Gowler’ Gowler (@BeesBreakdown) gives us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s win against Bournemouth. Thomas Frank stuck with an unchanged starting XI to face Bournemouth. The backline consisted of Lewis-Potter,...
Bees Breakdown’s Tactical Breakdown – Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Beesotted contributor Jacob ‘The Gowler’ Gowler (@BeesBreakdown) gives us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s loss against Aston Villa. Thomas Frank made one change to his starting XI, to bring in Nørgaard returning from injury. Brentford’s backline...
Bees Breakdown’s Tactical Breakdown – Leicester 0 Brentford 4
Beesotted contributor Jacob ‘The Gowler’ Gowler (@BeesBreakdown) gives us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s win against Leicester Thomas Frank made one change to the starting XI that faced West Ham, with Ethan Pinnock replacing the injured Sepp van...
Bees Breakdown’s Tactical Breakdown – West Ham 0 Brentford 1
Beesotted contributor Jacob ‘The Gowler’ Gowler (@BeesBreakdown) gives us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s win against West Ham. Thomas Frank chose a 4-2-3-1 to face West Ham. Ajer returned to the Bees backline to join Collins, van den Berg, and...
Bees Breakdown’s Tactical Breakdown – Brentford 0 Tottenham 2
Beesotted contributor Jacob ‘The Gowler’ Gowler (@BeesBreakdown) gives us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s loss against Tottenham. Thomas Frank deployed a 4-2-3-1 with Ajer returning to the backline to join Collins, van den Berg, and Lewis-Potter....
What Would You Do For Another Bees Fan?
Would you dive off a bridge to save Brentford fans from a train heading towards them? It turns out around one in five Crystal Palace supporters would take the plunge to rescue fans wearing their team colours. That fascinating statistic is contained in research...
Sheffield Wednesday preview: Owls visit revives final Griffin Park memories
Sheffield Wednesday's visit will be a very poignant one this season, considering they were the last-ever team to play at Griffin Park in front of fans. The Owls visited us the weekend before football stopped, and were torn apart in a brilliant Brentford display as we...
Ceefax & The Wonder That Was Page 312
Please spare a thought for us exiled supporters who have to stay up ‘til unearthly hours around the world, desperate to find out the Bees’ score. Admittedly myriad options are available to us that are now take for granted; live commentary via the excellent Bees...
The Bee Job Question
Three weeks ago I had a job interview. An interview for a job I was actually quite interested in, rather than just being a way out of the harrowingly dull, underachieving job I have at the moment. I have by me now the letter that arrived today, which will tell me...
The Great Brentford Song Scam
For years Brentford fans have constantly been evolving the songs they employ to support their team. Scientists and historians, such as myself, rarely take an interest in such forms of tribal worship. But, after being approached by Beesotted to take a closer look at...
1942 Leagues Under The Sea – John Chandler RIP
I was in the Navy during the War serving on H.M.S. Cairo (pictured above) when in 1942, Brentford played Portsmouth at Wembley, in the war-time F.A. Cup Final. I couldn’t attend as I was stationed in the Mediterranean around Gibraltar but my father went to the game...
Brentford High School End Of Season Reports 2018/19
As another rollercoaster season at Brentford High School draws to an end, Beesotted’s Condormanruns the rule over the 2018/19 Governors report:Report Summary:So it’s been another year of highs and lows here in TW8 with a lot of disruption across the season,most...