1917–18 Brentford F.C. season


During the 1917–18 English football season, Brentford competed in the London Combination, due to the cessation of competitive football for the duration of the First World War. In a patchy season, the Bees finished in mid-table.

Season summary

The wartime London Combination was streamlined for the 1917–18 season, with the clubs voting to expel Portsmouth, Watford, Southampton and Luton Town, which would reduce travelling expenses on Britain's congested railways. Despite the entry of the United States into the First World War in April 1917, Britain was still mired in war and manager Fred Halliday again had trouble securing players to play. Of Brentford's squad, goalkeeper Ted Price, defenders Jack Peart, Dusty Rhodes and forwards Albert Chester, Patsy Hendren and Henry White would appear in the majority of the matches during the season. Half back Bill Stanton, previously with Watford, was a rare wartime signing and he too would be regularly available.
Manager Fred Halliday struggled to field a settled side during the opening months of the season and Brentford suffered six defeats in eight matches between mid-September and mid-November 1917. In late November, Halliday pulled off a transfer coup, re-signing former Brentford forward Jack Cock as a guest from Huddersfield Town, to whom he had transferred in April 1914. Cock went on to score 27 goals in 23 appearances, which included two hattricks and a five-goal haul versus rivals Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season. Henry White, frequently Brentford's top scorer during the First World War, supported ably with 17 goals. The season was notable for some high scoring wins and crushing defeats.
A number of former Brentford players were killed during the season:

London Combination

Results

Legend

London Combination

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Summary

Transfers & loans