Brentford Football Club: Origins, History, Kit, and Stadiums

Brentford Football Club, affectionately known as “The Bees,” has steadily grown from a modest West London club into an established Premier League outfit. With a rich history stretching back to the late 19th century, Brentford’s journey through the ranks of English football is an inspiring one, as a relatively small club with a small fan base they have managed to not only compete with the Premiership giants such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs but surpass them. At the time of writing in the season just gone, Brentford were 15th place and 17th respectively whilst Brentford were 10th in the final league standings.

Origins and Formation

Brentford Football Club was founded on 10 October 1889. The club’s formation was the result of a meeting held at the Oxford and Cambridge Hotel in Brentford, with the intention of providing a winter sport for members of the Brentford Rowing Club. Initially, there was some debate over whether to adopt football or rugby as the sport of choice, but ultimately football prevailed.

Brentford joined the West London League in their early days, quickly moving to more competitive leagues such as the Southern League and the London League. Their performances soon attracted a loyal local following, and the club began to lay the foundations for future growth.

Historical Progression

Brentford’s early years were characterised by steady progress. In 1920, the club was elected to the newly-formed Third Division of the Football League. They quickly made their mark, winning the Third Division South title in the 1932–33 season and earning promotion to the Second Division.

The most illustrious period in Brentford’s history came during the 1930s and 1940s. Under the management of Harry Curtis, Brentford achieved promotion to the First Division, the top tier of English football, for the first time in their history in the 1934–35 season. The Bees enjoyed their best-ever league finish in the 1935–36 season, securing fifth place in the First Division. It was a golden era for the club, and Griffin Park regularly hosted large, passionate crowds.

However, the post-war years were less kind to Brentford. Relegation in 1947 marked the beginning of a long decline, and the club gradually slipped down the divisions. Financial struggles and dwindling attendances became familiar themes throughout much of the mid to late 20th century. Despite these challenges, Brentford maintained a fierce sense of identity and community support.

The 1960s and 1970s saw brief moments of success, including promotions from the Fourth Division, but the club struggled to find sustained momentum. The 1980s were particularly turbulent, with the club coming perilously close to financial ruin on several occasions.

The dawn of the 21st century marked a turning point. New ownership, better management, and a focus on developing young talent began to pay dividends. The club’s reputation for statistical and data-driven recruitment, especially under owner Matthew Benham, revolutionised their fortunes. Brentford’s innovative approach led to their eventual promotion to the Championship and, in 2021, the club achieved its long-held dream of reaching the Premier League for the first time via the play-offs, defeating Swansea City 2-0 at Wembley.

Their promotion was a watershed moment not only for the club but also for English football, as Brentford demonstrated that a smaller club, with limited financial resources, could successfully compete at the highest level through smart strategy and careful planning.

Club Colours and Kit Evolution

Brentford’s traditional colours are red and white stripes, a scheme they have worn for the majority of their existence. The origins of the red and white stripes are believed to date back to the late 1920s, although the club experimented with various designs and colours in its earliest days, including salmon pink and dark blue.

The red and white striped shirt, usually paired with black shorts and either red, black, or white socks, became an iconic symbol of the club. Over the years, minor variations have occurred in the design, including changes in stripe width, collar styles, and the addition of modern manufacturing elements.

In recent seasons, Brentford have embraced a more sustainable approach by retaining the same home kit design across multiple seasons, reducing waste and cost for supporters. The club’s away and third kits have frequently showcased bolder colours, including yellow, green, navy, and even pink in some campaigns, providing a vibrant contrast to their traditional home colours.

The crest has also evolved. The most recent update came in 2017, simplifying the badge to a circular design featuring a bold bee at its centre, reflecting the club’s nickname and its strong local identity.

Stadiums: Griffin Park to the Gtech Community Stadium

Brentford’s homes have played a pivotal role in shaping the club’s identity. Initially, the club played at a series of local grounds, including Clifden Road and Benns Field, before settling at Griffin Park in 1904. Located in Brentford, Griffin Park became one of the most distinctive stadiums in English football. Famously, it was the only football ground in the Football League with a pub on each corner: The Griffin, The Princess Royal, The Royal Oak, and The New Inn, creating a unique matchday atmosphere beloved by fans and visitors alike.

Griffin Park was the club’s home for 116 years. Though relatively small, with a final capacity of around 12,300, the stadium exuded charm and intimacy. It witnessed the club’s greatest highs and deepest lows, becoming a cherished symbol of Brentford’s history.

As the club’s ambitions grew, however, the need for a more modern facility became apparent. In September 2020, Brentford moved into the newly-constructed Brentford Community Stadium, now known as the Gtech Community Stadium for sponsorship purposes. The 17,250-seat stadium, located a short distance from Griffin Park, is a state-of-the-art venue that meets Premier League standards and provides a vastly improved experience for fans and players alike.

The move signalled the beginning of a new era for the club. The Gtech Community Stadium is shared with London Irish Rugby Club and was designed to foster a vibrant community environment while supporting Brentford’s continued growth on and off the pitch.

The Scandinavian Connection

As mentioned earlier in this article have a statistical and data-driven approach to player recruitment. They have become widely recognised for its distinctive and highly analytical scouting system, which has played a crucial role in the club’s rapid ascent through the English football pyramid. Spearheaded by owner Matthew Benham’s data-driven philosophy, Brentford’s recruitment strategy relies heavily on advanced statistical analysis to identify undervalued talent, often overlooked by traditional scouting methods. A key feature of this system has been the club’s strong focus on Scandinavian markets, where they have consistently found technically gifted and tactically intelligent players available at reasonable prices. Scandinavian footballers, such as Henrik Dalsgaard, Mathias Jensen, Mads Roerslev, and Christian Nørgaard, have not only bolstered Brentford’s squad but have also seamlessly integrated into the club’s high-tempo, disciplined style of play. The cultural compatibility, tactical education, and physical robustness typical of players from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have made the Scandinavian region a reliable and fruitful hunting ground for Brentford’s innovative scouting network.

Major Trophies and Honours

• Football League Second Division (now EFL Championship)

  • Champions: 1934–35

• Football League Third Division South

  • Champions: 1932–33

• Football League Fourth Division

  • Champions: 1962–63

• Football League Trophy (EFL Trophy)

  • Runners-up: 1984–85, 2000–01

• Football League Play-offs

  • Winners (Championship Play-offs): 2021

• Football League Third Division/League One Play-offs

  • Runners-up: 1997, 2002, 2013

• Southern League Second Division

  • Champions: 1900–01

• London Challenge Cup

  • Winners: 1934–35, 1964–65

Notable Promotions

Although not classed as major trophies, Brentford have achieved several promotions throughout their history, which are significant milestones:

• Promoted to the First Division (now Premier League equivalent) in 1935

• Promoted to the Championship in 2014

• Promoted to the Premier League in 2021

Conclusion

From humble beginnings in the late 19th century to their current status as a competitive Premier League club, the journey has been anything but straightforward. Through the decades, Brentford have remained true to their roots, embracing their identity as a community-focused club while boldly adopting modern, data-driven approaches to succeed in the modern game.

The evolution of their kit, the cherished memories of Griffin Park, and the forward-looking vision embodied by the Gtech Community Stadium all reflect a club that honours its past while confidently stepping into the future. As The Bees continue to defy expectations, Brentford Football Club stands as a proud symbol of what can be achieved through passion, innovation, and unwavering local support.