1997–98 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1997–98 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. Just 11 wins in 46 matches saw the club relegated to the Third Division on the final day of the season.

Season summary
In August 1997 and following defeat in the 1997 Second Division play-off final, David Webb moved "upstairs" to become the club's new chief executive. Formerly Brentford manager since the beginning of the 1993–94 season, Webb acquired a majority shareholding of the club as part of a consortium with Tony Swaisland (chairman) and John Herting (director). Within days of the takeover and still without a manager, the spine of the previous season's team (Carl Asaba, Barry Ashby and Paul Smith) were sold for six-figure fees. Brian Statham was sold later in August and promising youngster Marcus Bent was transfer-listed. Replacements were found in the lower divisions, non-League and in Premier League reserve teams, with Paul Barrowcliff, Derek Bryan, Leon Townley, Ricky Reina and Charlie Oatway arriving for five-figure fees. First team coach Kevin Lock took caretaker charge of the club until the appointment of Eddie May just four days before the season began. Clive Walker installed as May's assistant.

A 3–0 defeat to Millwall on the opening day saw Brentford begin the season bottom of the Second Division. Despite registering two wins in late-August and early-September to move into mid-table, just two wins in the following 13 matches in all competitions saw May and Walker removed from their posts on 4 November. Amidst rumours that David Webb had fallen out with chairman Swaisland, Webb resigned as chief executive, but remained on the board of directors. Former Swansea City manager Micky Adams was installed as manager and fared little better, failing to win until mid-December.

In a bid to strengthen the team, Adams sought experienced players and signed Glenn Cockerill (as player/assistant manager), Warren Aspinall and loanee Nigel Gleghorn. Injuries soon began to mount, with first-choice right back Ijah Anderson and summer signings Derek Bryan and Ricky Reina succumbing. Continuing player sales and bad results led some Bees supporters to call for the removal of David Webb. Multiple protests were staged over a disparity between the incoming and outgoing transfer fees and questioning where the incoming money was going.

It wasn't until late-January 1998 that the team found some form, losing just once in 12 matches, but registering seven draws. Brentford went into the final day of the season one place above the relegation zone, having won just one of the previous four matches. A win away to play-off contenders Bristol Rovers (themselves needing to win) or other favourable results were required for the Bees to regain their Second Division status. A 2–1 defeat and victory for 22nd-place Burnley relegated the club to the Third Division for the first time in 20 years.

Results

 * Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Football League Trophy

 * Sources: Soccerbase, 11v11, Griffin Gazette, The Big Brentford Book of the Nineties

Playing squad

 * Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1997–98 season.


 * Source: Soccerbase

Appearances and goals

 * Substitute appearances in brackets.


 * Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
 * Source: Soccerbase

Goalscorers

 * Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
 * Source: Soccerbase

Discipline

 * Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
 * Source: Soccerbase

Awards

 * Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year: Carl Hutchings
 * Brentford Internet Supporters' Player of the Year: Carl Hutchings
 * Brentford Programme's Star Man of the Year: Carl Hutchings
 * Eric White Memorial Trophy: Glenn Cockerill
 * Football League Second Division Manager of the Month: Micky Adams (March 1998)