Brentford play Preston North End on Saturday and it seems that, in the build up to the game at least, there are plenty of changes at Griffin Park. In what seems to be partly a response to the recent ‘match day experience survey’, the eagle eyed amongst you would have spotted all manner of new things in place for the weekend.
First up, the Braemar Road forecourt rebrand is now complete. The BRENTFORD FC Stingray font is gone and the new lettering is in place on the repainted main stand. Along, thankfully, with a club badge.
The club revealed their new look on Thursday
We’d had our suspicions as to how this was going to look during the week after chief executive Mark Devlin noted on twitter that, ”You won’t be surprised to learn that it will be in keeping with the new brand guidelines”. Whilst a phrase such as ‘new brand guidelines’ is normally one that strikes the same feeling of doom as “rail replacement bus service” or “Coming up next on BBC one, the Eastenders omnibus”, I have to say that this really bucks the trend.
Well done Brentford. The club has come up with a smart, new look. Certainly, much better than the somewhat dated, quasi-futuristic Stingray lettering that had aged as badly as Keith Richards. Whilst the stripes I had thought might also return are still absent from the paintwork, the all red look is still a great one.
Keith Richards – the musical equivalent of Stingray font
As for the Preston game itself, first up is your chance to play DJ. The club has started to ask fans what music they would like to hear on Big B Radio. (This is assuming people can hear it – I note, also, they are currently asking for feedback on the new PA system). However, it’s something I’ve written about many times before. There’s no excuse for Barry Manilow at football – unless it’s Bermuda triangle (I don’t mean the defence) and, whilst I fully appreciate you are never going to please everybody, this is still a great way to try.
And, read this next bit carefully…. We have a hashtag that actually seems fit for purpose.
#BeeTheDJ does what it says whilst adding a nice bit of punnery. After the debacles of #trophyfriends and #bignewambitions (which, thankfully, appears to have been quietly shuffled off) another sign that the club do listen.
Don’t take my word for it. Check out the Twitter hashtag
But wait. Like an advert for cheap kitchen knives, there’s more. Centre Circle Challenge is back. Kind of.
I loved this event in the past. A home and away supporter would demonstrate who had the least bad kicking skills as they attempted to hoof the football as close as possible to the spot in the middle of the meridian line. All, of course, accompanied by the wonderful commentary skills of Peter Gilham – woebetide anybody with two left feet.
After an absence of a few seasons, this has been rebranded and now returns as ‘Bees Bowls’. From reading the blurb on the clubsite (and you can also apply to participate) the end goal appears the same – closest to the centre spot wins.As somebody who has formerly taken part in CCC with mixed fortunes – both reaching the centre spot aswell as falling flat on my backside in the tipping rain – I can only recommend this as being a great fan activity and would encourage supporters to give it a go.
Apart from being tremendous fun, it’s not often the Brentford family get a chance to grace the Griffin Park surface.
What’s the worst that could happen?
Nick Bruzon
It IS great fun – get applying
BrentfordFC 
I wish you could make a android app with notification update when you post a new page, life would be so easy.. Lol
Perhaps you could look into it?
Otherwise keep up the good work, great reads.
Thanks very much. Oh to be that technically proficient. I struggle to turn on my android phone…
That said, there should be a ‘follow’ option on the page that sends a mail every time this posts. Otherwise, it’s 7am most midweeks and any time between then and 9 on weekends.
Thanks for the kind words
I’m cool with the new look signage, nice job BFC. Just sad not to see a castle badge – when will the marketing boys recognize the huge opportunity that reviving this much loved logo would offer.Need a campaign to get some decent “merch”.
As for music – I very much hope to hear Kool & the Gang at 5PM tomorrow.
Would have loved the castle badge, too. But it still looks smart overall