Hopefully the Brentford fans that set off to Loftus Road won’t be persuaded to enlist in the Army on on their way home – although many way consider a brief spell of national service in exchange for three valuable points.
As you will see, the cover of the programme produced for the corresponding match from the 1915/16 season, a 2-1 Bees win100 years ago, carried a plea for able-bodied young men to join the army’s recruitment drive.
Quite how many of the Rangers and Brentford fans diverted to the recruitment office rather than the pub, we will never know, but the piece of memorabilia, taken from the Brentford 125 Year Anniversary book, demonstrates how times have changed, despite the fixture still providing local bragging rights.
But, as the other cutting taken from the book shows, some things never change… moaning about the match officials is still a popular pastime… and I’m sure the referee is in for an equally torrid time on Saturday should he favour one side or another.
There are countless other gems contained in the book, which can be ordered here.
CLICK HERE TO BUYDave Lane