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It is always sad to hear about the death of a former Brentford player, and today we learn that Ron Fenton has unfortunately lost his battle with cancer at the age of 73.

Ironically, I spent the evening last night with Mark Croxford and life-long Bees fan, Geoff Buckingham, looking through a big pile of Brentford photos from the 1960s as we embark upon the Big Brentford Book of the Sixties production – so the name Ronnie Fenton cropped up several time during the evening, as did his team-mates’ and manager, Jimmy Sirrel’s. If we’d have known we’d have raised our glasses to his memory.

I’ve amassed an extensive Brentford photo archive over the years, and through producing the Big Brentford Book series, I often find myself looking back at young Bees in lovely black and white photos, and thinking… where on earth have all those years and decades gone – photos can be a real demonstration of how quickly a lifetime can whiz past.

So, on behalf of all Brentford fans who were lucky enough to have seen him score any of his 21 goals in a red and white shirt, or those younger fans who were aware of his pedigree, I wish Ron’s family our very best wishes at this sad time.

Dave Lane

 

Ron Fenton
Born: 21st September 1940 (South Shields)
Brentford League and Cup record: 97 apps/21 goals

Debut
27th January 1968
Bradford City (H)
Lost 0-1

An apprenticeship with Burnley ended with the midfield/striker signing as a professional at Turf Moor in September 1957 although he did not make his first-team debut until three years later, going on to play for the club in the top division. In November 1962 he joined West Bromwich Albion and made a further 50 appearances in the top flight during a stay of more than two years before he signed for Birmingham City in January 1965 as the Blues were relegated to Division Two.

Exactly three years later he was signed by Jimmy Sirrel – arriving on the same day that Allan Mansley signed from Blackpool – and he immediately established himself as a combative mainstay of the team, appearing in both midfield and striking roles whilst he also assumed the role of captain. Already qualified as an FA Coach, he took over as caretaker manager when Jimmy Sirrel left the club in November 1969 but having lost his first-team place following Frank Blunstone’s appointment, he was released at the end of the season and at the age of 29 he ended his playing days to take up the role of youth team manager under Jimmy Sirrel at Notts County.

An illustrious post-playing career saw him as first-team coach of the County team that rose through the divisions before he had a two-year stint as manager at Meadow Lane and then moved across the city to spend 10 years at Nottingham Forest, firstly as coach and then for six years as Brian Clough’s assistant.

Career League record: 

Burnley
11 appearances
1 goal

West Bromwich Albion
59 appearances
16 goals

Birmingham City
28+5 appearances
7 goals

Brentford
87+4 appearances
19 goals

If you have a memory of Ronny Fenton, please post them below as a comment.