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2003–04 Brentford F.C. season

English football team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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During the 2003–04 English football season, Brentford competed in Football League Second Division. After mid-season spell of one win in 18 matches and relegation looking definite, manager Wally Downes was sacked in mid-March 2004. Martin Allen took over and pulled off "The Great Escape" to secure safety on the final day of the season.

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Season summary

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Martin Allen was appointed Brentford manager in March 2004 and preserved the club's Second Division status.

Cash-strapped Brentford began the 2003–04 season with a threadbare squad, depleted through injuries and propped up with youngsters,[1] with manager Wally Downes admitting that the club's "immediate goal is keeping ourselves afloat for a period that shows the bank we can manage ourselves".[2] Five defeats in the opening six games left the club second-from-bottom, before the integration of loanees Ben May, Tommy Wright and Joel Kitamirike yielded an improvement in form in September 2003,[3][4][5] going unbeaten and winning three of five matches.[6] In October, amidst speculation that former Brentford manager Steve Perryman would return to the club as director of football, manager Wally Downes was assured that his role would not be affected.[7] Perryman eventually turned the offer down.[7]

Despite a morale-boosting 7–1 FA Cup first round victory over Gainsborough Trinity and four wins from six matches in October and November lifting the Bees to mid-table, the rot soon set in.[6] After the goalkeeping position weakened by the £500,000 sale of Paul Smith in January 2004 and with just one win from 19 matches in all competitions,[8] Wally Downes was sacked after a 2–0 home defeat to Stockport County on 13 March 2004,[9] which was Brentford's fifth consecutive defeat.[6] Caretaker manager Garry Thompson took charge for the away match versus Blackpool on 16 March,[10] with a 1–1 draw securing the first point won for a month.[6]

Former Barnet manager Martin Allen took over on 18 March 2004 and was tasked with retaining Brentford's Second Division status.[11] Allen released a number of players,[12] installed his own backroom team and immediately galvanised the squad,[2] winning three and drawing three of his first six matches to lift the Bees above the relegation places.[6] A priceless point salvaged at already-relegated Wycombe Wanderers on 24 April kept the Bees above the relegation places.[6] A 1–0 defeat away to fellow strugglers Grimsby Town in the penultimate match of the season meant the club would need to secure safety on the final day with a victory over Bournemouth or favourable results elsewhere.[13] The match versus Bournemouth at Griffin Park remained scoreless until seven minutes from time, when substitute Alex Rhodes "coolly slotted" past Cherries' goalkeeper Neil Moss for a 1–0 win that completed Brentford's escape from relegation.[14]

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League table

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Source: [15]
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
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Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Pre-season

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Football League Second Division

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FA Cup

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Football League Cup

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Football League Trophy

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Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 2003–04 season.
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Coaching staff

Wally Downes (9 August 2003 – 14 March 2004)

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Garry Thompson (14 – 18 March 2004)

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Martin Allen (18 March – 8 May 2004)

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Statistics

Appearances and goals

Substitute appearances in brackets.
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  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: Soccerbase

Goalscorers

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  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: Soccerbase

Discipline

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  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: ESPN FC

Management

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Summary

Games played51 (46 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)
Games won15 (14 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy)
Games drawn12 (11 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
Games lost24 (21 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy)
Goals scored64 (52 Second Division, 7 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 5 Football League Trophy)
Goals conceded83 (69 Second Division, 4 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 6 Football League Trophy)
Clean sheets6 (6 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy)
Biggest league win5–0 versus Brighton & Hove Albion, 21 October 2003
Worst league defeat3–0 on two occasions, 4–1 on two occasions
Most appearances48, Kevin O'Connor (43 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 2 Football League Trophy)
Top scorer (league)11, Stephen Hunt
Top scorer (all competitions)12, Stephen Hunt
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Transfers & loans

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Kit

Supplier: TFG
Sponsor(s): St. George

Home
Away

Source: Brentford F.C.

Awards

References

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