The Bluetones, Hard-Fi and Theaudience form Staines supergroup in honour of King Jota.

With Brentford travelling to Barnsley today you might expect the normal prematch nonsense. Hot off the heels of Friday’s hammering of Derby County, where a brace apiece from Lasse Vibe and the talismanic Jota saw pun writers having a field day, it would be the perfect time to ‘go again’ with the big game build up. Yet headlines including Demolition Derby. Rams to the Slaughter. Silence of the Rams. Rams Raided and my own personal winner –  Bees guilty of battering Rams etc etc etc tell you all you need to know about that one. Poor Barnsley. If Brentford put in even half that performance then the Tykes would probably be better focussing on the half time mascot race between Toby and Buzz.

So we’ll leave the football for now. At least, the on pitch stuff. One of the things I love about Brentford is that everybody knows everybody. One minute you could be outside the pub with your regular match day friends, then next you find yourself talking to jumper man, having Harry Potter bawling in your ear or Billy Grant waving a microphone in your face. You see Natalie Sawyer walking past. Chairman Cliff Crown stops for a chat. Look over there, Marcus Gayle is holding court. And isn’t that Richard Archer out of Hard-Fi talking to him? Alongside Adam Devlin from one of my all time favourite bands, The Bluetones. All we need is Cameron Diaz for a full house. Although, sadly, that’s a spot that will have to go on hold (at least, for now) due to well documented reasons.

Jumper Man – one of many familiar Brentford faces

But the point being this is all run of the mill stuff. Between 2pm and 7pm on a Saturday afternoon we’re all Brentford fans. Whoever you are and whatever happens outside the confines of Griffin Park is stuff for another day. For now, a love of the Bees unites us all as the great and good rub shoulders and enjoy the vibe.

But today we should think about what happens outside of Griffin Park because word reaches me, perhaps appropriately on Easter weekend, of a Holy Trinity coming together. A musical Holy Trinity or, if you will, a so called supergroup.

A power trio comprising Devlin (Adam, not chief executive Mark), Richard Archer and the one time musical cohort of Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Billy Reeves. The very same Billy Reeves these days more commonly known for his wonderful work with BBC Radio London.

Yes, Billy is at it again. The man who brought us the uber catchy ‘Hey! Championship!’ to celebrate our promotion from League 1 and follow up single ‘Goodbye Mark Warburton’ has now linked up with the aforementioned musical wing men to form Grown Men in Tears –   Staines’ answer to Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The product of this output is ‘Welcome Home, King Jota’  – quite possibly Billy’s finest end of season song to date.

Grown Men in Tears. (l-r) Archer, Devlin, Reeves.     c/o The Jolly Baker, Ashford

Kudos to Adam and Richard. With added glockenspiel and flamenco guitar outro it really is Billy’s crown jewel. How catchy. Oh that chorus. Oh, the namechecking in the lyrics.  “He opens up his legs, puts in a corner, for Harlee Dean’s big head” being amongst the finest and, yet, slipping into the verse as deliciously as the King himself playing the ball over.

Oh that chorus. The harmony. I Love it. Absolutely love it. What starts off with a slightly melancholic air quickly turns into an ear worm that burrows in deep and won’t let go. A perfect 3 minutes 58 seconds of music that is as silky smooth as the man himself. Even better, its all for charity with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK Charity. Move fast, though – the single will only be available for one week (as a download, 79p) via Billy’s twitter page https://www.twitter.com/TheBillyReeves  and is released April 21st.

Come for the Hard-FI / Bluetones connection, stay for musical genius.

Jota – if you are reading (you aren’t) the Brentford family love you. If this doesn’t tell you, nothing will.

You can watch the video and hear the song below. Then rush out and buy it on the 21st for just 79p. Its all for charity, mate. And isn’t it brilliant?

Big love and thanks to Mark Fuller for the video montage. What a lotta Jota 

If you are concerned about prostate cancer or prostate problems then the Prostate Cancer UK charity can help. They provide a range of information and support so you can choose the services that work for you. All their services are open to men, their family and their friends. Via their ‘Men United’ campaign they are working with the Football League to raise awareness and money.

Nick Bruzon

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Lino’s flag saves Fulham from a pointless afternoon

But for a flag. Brentford and Fulham played out a 2-2 Championship draw as the Bees made it 8 goals and 7(seven) points from the last three league games against our West London rivals. But, being quite honest, we’ve left this one feeling somewhat hard done by after a rogue linesman denied Jota a late winner.

In front of almost 20,000 supporters, Brentford took the lead from the penalty spot. Jake Bidwell was tripped just inside the edge of the box, running at the touchline. He didn’t look that much of a threat, if we’re being honest, but…a foul is a foul. And when they happen in the box only one thing can follow.

Up stepped Alan Judge to thump it down the middle and leave a diving Andy Londergan in the Fulham goal with no chance. 1-0 and normal service resumed. Indeed, the pressure built but the Bees couldn’t find a way through and, instead, with half time approaching the home side began to press.

That said, they still needed James Tarkowski to head past David Button to equalise. Hey, it wouldn’t be Brentford without one of our centre-backs scoring an o.g.

The same player was beaten by Dembele as the Cottagers took a second half lead but it would transpire to be a short lived one. The man seemingly at the centre of everything, Tarks, headed Jake Bidwell’s corner goalwards to find Jack O’Connell for the equaliser. The celebrations from the visiting fans at that end were immense, but not as good as they would get….

As with our first goal, it was followed by a period of immense pressure that saw Brentford desperately unlucky not to score again. Lonergan was the difference between one point and three for the Bees. And, of course, we also have the elephant in the room. Or, should that be, on the touchline?

The linesman’s flag denied Jota a winning goal as he was adjudged offside when given the freedom of the penalty box to make it 3-2 to the Bees. That the Spaniard had been granted more space than a professional footballer should have any right t expect his hardly his fault.

That’s the only reason I can think for his being deemed to have encroached. But he looked ‘on’ from where the celebrating Brentford fans were standing and television would subsequently confirm the same.

Football League Tonight was essential viewing (not a phrase I thought I’d have been using back in August) to confirm what we all knew. The goal should have stood. And so, instead of Brentford taking the lead and building, Fulham were allowed back into the game and, in the end, a draw was probably a fair result – based on chances and possession.

F. Off…. Channel 5 confirm what we all knew

But as we’ve said so many times – the only stat that counts is ‘balls in the back of the net’. So to have a legitimate strike ruled out and a potential extra two points that would have taken us sixth, denied, rankles somewhat.

On the positive side, that’s five unbeaten for the Bees and, much like Football League Tonight, considering how things looked a few months ago to be talking so positively now is just amazing. It is vindication, again, of the fact that the league is a marathon not sprint. Brentford are certainly a team who are building their momentum and the battle for sixth place, or beyond, could be a very interesting one over the next month.

The Mark Burridge infused highlights package from the club’s official YouTube channel shows what a good game it was.

As for the other stuff from the game, my man of the match was Jake Bidwell although I thought Toumani also had an excellent game. Jack O’Connell continues to impress and this now presents Dean Smith with an interesting selection choice for the trip to Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

Is Harlee Dean an automatic selection, now that the three match suspension for his stupidity against Nottingham Forest has been served? And if he is, who does he replace ? Or will be quite a statement of intent from Dean Smith as to what he does when the next team sheet is handed in

Fairplay to the majority of the Brentford fans. Despite us reading about the threat of some Draconian sounding police and stewarding beforehand, everything was all very good spirited – from supporters, stewards and constabulary.

Indeed, aside from yet another flare wielding numpty (the solitary line of half-arsed Christmas lights decorating the Cottage being about the only thing more embarrassing than our yoof element) the one ejection I saw was for Fulham’s own Beiber-lite in the second half.

Despite their best efforts, it’s back to ‘sniffer school’

It was a cracking atmosphere (at our end) and The Bees were LOUD. Moreso compared to the wall of silence that came from the rest of the ground. If we thought the Chelsea fans were quiet at Stamford Bridge, this took things to a new level. Mind you, with Bournemouth overtaking Chelsea last night in the Premier League table, Fulham might be getting another West London derby next season.

That said, it certainly seemed that anybody who could travel for this one, did. You know the winter months are upon us when ‘jumper man’ switches from his summer waistcoat to the world’s greatest pullover.

The world’s greatest jumper. Fact

Likewise, one supporter – who I won’t name but simply refer to as “Project Coordinator for the Brentford Community Stadium project team” – was seen stumbling down the steps on the way to his seat before kick off. A seat which, I am sure, in line with stadium regulations he sat down in for the entire game.

Even the great and the good from the opposition were out and about after the game. Brentford may not have won, but we can still feel very hard done by not to have left the opposition…..pointless.

Nick Bruzon

one point – for Fulham

Even off pitch, is this our most stylish squad ever?

Brentford unwound from the 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers (goals below for those that haven’t seen them yet) with a squad trip to Dublin. Whilst I’m sure that the majority of what goes on tour stays on tour, its good to see that some Christmas traditions are still being honoured.

 

Despite being (theoretically) a grown man, in my forties, there are certain aspects of the festive season that still bring an extra smile to the face. I won’t even contemplate shopping until the first play of “Merry Christmas, Everyone” by Shakin’ Stevens hits the airwaves. Only then, once the greatest Christmas song ever recorded has been played, are we ‘officially’ into the heart of the season.

Likewise, chocolate coins and a satsuma are still an essential part of December 25^th. Forget the PS4 (if Mrs. Bruzon is reading, please don’t) these are still the king of traditional gifts.

From a sporting perspective, the Boxing Day fixture is one of the first I look out for, purely because there’s nothing finer than catching up with your friends for the game after the big day,

And then, of course, there’s the Christmas jumper. Indeed, our reader may have noted the column last month on this very subject and the efforts of the Premiership teams to make their own ‘bespoke’ version. Whilst the Brentford clubshop may not have risen to the challenge just yet, it’s fair to say the players haven’t let the side down.

Alan Judge has shared this instantgram picture of the squad on their Dublin trip, rocking the Christmas look.

Is there anything Sam can’t make look good?

What more can you say? In the words of Noddy Holder, “Ittttsssssss, Chrrrriissstmassss”

Now, who’s for a bit of Shaky?

 

What is this season’s ‘must have’ item?

This season it is the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal who top the table whilst our own Brentford aren’t at the races. Frustratingly, even the Loftus Road mob need honourable mention, which is a phrase that sticks in the throat as much as having to acknowledge Fulham rediscovering their form.

The season being, of course, the festive one and the table being the pecking order of club shop fashion. Brentford may well have their gnomes but, as things stand, we are yet to dip our toes into the world of the Christmas jumper.

Browse the website of any top flight team and you are sure to stumble across the Xmas section where, amongst other things, will be a jumper adorned with a reindeer sporting a scarf of your chosen club. They are all at it this year – along with United, teams such as Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa have all followed this template which, although somewhat generic, does put a new twist on football couture.

Available at most Premiership clubs – the Christmas reindeer

That’s the basic model. Look a bit further afield and certain teams even have a bespoke model. Arsenal have gone for the mutant football / snowman whilst QPR have looked to combine the traditional design with their own kit. Full marks for ingenuity although there’s no accounting for actual taste.

Arsenal and QPR (badge pixelated) try to go one better

And all this gets me wondering if Brentford will ever be able to launch our own spin on this festive favourite. Our club shop is, generally, well stocked with plenty of gifts for this time of year although we are, as it stands, yet to launch our own bespoke knitwear.

That said, I think we’d face some very stiff competition – from our own fans. Christmas jumpers may look good but we have enough familiar faces who are as well known for their winter woolies as they are for supporting their club.

I don’t even know these people’s names but much as most of us will have a favourite shirt to wear to a game, these terrace legends have taken things the extra mile over the years. It wouldn’t be a  Brentford game if, at some point, you didn’t have the likes of ‘80’s golf chap’, ‘funky bee woman’ and the all time hero… ‘jumper man’. And please forgive the somewhat blurred picture but, incredibly, there is little internet based evidence of this design classic.

As such, although I’d love a club issue Christmas jumper when the competition is this fierce then I’ll happily stick with my gnome and shirts.

Jumper man is the king of football fashion…

… but faces fierce competition from ‘funky bee woman’

Floodlights! Cameras!! Action!!! It can only be Brentford

Like many Brentford fans, earlier this month I spent Friday night in front of the TV watching the Gillingham v Wolves game, optimistically hoping for the favour of a draw and being blown away by the home side’s last minute victory.

Three weeks later and the roles are reversed. With the Sky cameras at Griffin Park tonight, it is the likes of Wolves, Leyton Orient and, to a lesser extent Preston, who will be hoping for a similar favour from Gillingham.

To read the rest of this article, season 2013/14 is now available to download onto Kindle, in full. Containing previously unseen content, you can do so here for less than the cost of one matchday programme.

 Thanks for reading over the course of the campaign. For now I need to make space on this page for any follow up.  The ‘close season’ / World Cup columns continue in full, further on in this site.

Magic of the cup? Real tans, bad jumpers and great results

I love the FA Cup.  Unlike Paul Lambert at Aston Villa, I’m not going to pretend that our Brentford could do without it. Last year’s excitement proved how much this tournament still means to supporters and, as such, I probably wasn’t alone in allowing myself a little smile when Villa were dumped out by League One Sheffield United yesterday.

Whilst Lambert’s Villa outfit struggled against United, the same could be said for Martin Allen’s studio outfit on the ITV highlight’s package later that evening. He was always known for his tops at Griffin Park but this one was less ‘tank’ and more an entire squadron.

To read the rest of this article, season 2013/14 is now available to download onto Kindle, in full. Containing previously unseen content, you can do so here for less than the cost of one matchday programme.

 Thanks for reading over the course of the campaign. For now I need to make space on this page for any follow up.  The ‘close season’ / World Cup columns continue in full, further on in this site.