
BRENTFORD now have a pretty impressive training ground, situated in picturesque Osterley, known as the Robert Rowan Performance Centre. These facilities befit a Premier League club, with a large entourage of staff supporting the players.
The club have been around for 135 years and, apart from recent years and a short spell either side of the Second World War, have nearly always played in the lower divisions.
I was born a quarter of a mile from Brentford's former ground at Griffin Park, which was famous for being the only English stadium with a pub on all four corners.
It comes as no surprise to know that my father took his sons to see the delights of that characterful old arena just as soon as we were able to walk and kick a ball.
I can not pretend that it has always been easy being a Brentford supporter for over 60 years, especially attending a school in central London where the children came from all over the capital.
Those boys supported what they called 'proper' teams like Chelsea, Fulham, Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham.
A few, for some unknown reason, even followed QPR, Charlton or Crystal Palace! However, I have always stood up for my club because being a Brentford fan means more and is something special. It is like being part of a quite small exclusive society, where you are a valued part of the close team.
When the Bees had any sort of success like a cup run, promotion or title, loads of friends and family members would congratulate me on 'my' fantastic success.
They saw me as being a total part of the club, even though I was just a simple paying loyal season ticket holder. I am pleased to see that Brentford have really tried to keep this 'Bee Together' theme, despite promotion three years ago to the Premier League.
This story is from the November - December 2024 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November - December 2024 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In

MINNOWS FLEX THEIR MUSCLES
TOM WINCH LOOKS AT THOSE COUNTRIES ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES ON THE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MAP

THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES
DAVID OHL GIVES HIS IDEAS ON HOW TO PROTECT A MUCH-LOVED INSTITUION THAT HAS COME UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE

RETURN TO SHEPPEY
MICHAEL GRIMES TAKES A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE...

COOK'S 18 CITY 94 AMBITIOUS RECIPE
SAM SHEPPEY LOOKS AT THE ROLE OF GARRY COOK IN THE RISE OF MAN CITY AND HIS NEXT STEPS

UNEXPECTED EUROPEAN HOSTS
SAM TODD LOOKS AT THE SELECT GROUP OF ENGLISH GROUNDS WHICH HAVE BEEN HOME TO EUROPEAN FOOTBALL BUT NOT A DOMESTIC TOP FLIGHT FIXTURE

WHEN DANNY BOY WAS SMILING
COLIN ALLAN RECALLS A FAMOUS NORTHERN IRELAND VICTORY AGAINST ENGLAND AT WEMBLEY ALMOST YEARS AGO

FINDING THE FAR CORNER AGAIN ISIONHE
JONNY BRICK PLUCKS ANOTHER BOOK FROM THE SHELVES OF THE FOOTBALL LITERARY SOCIETY, THIS ONE A CULT CLASSIC PUBLISHED IN 1994

SEASIDE ADVENTURE
POET AND WRITER CHRIS TOWERS HEADED TO WESTON SUPER MARE TO SEE THEM TAKE ON ENFIELD TOWN IN NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

ALL HAIL THE KING
ROBERT J WILSON LOOKS BACK AT THE LIFE OF THE LATE, GREAT DENIS LAW

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB EST-1892 SLOT MACHINE
ROBERT J WILSON LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF NEW BOSS ARNE SLOT AT LIVERPOOL AND THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD