Brentford’s Griffin Park
by Scott Nicholls
I grew up just 7 miles from Griffin Park, the home (for now) of Brentford Football Club.
I saw England U21’s play Denmark U21’s there when I was about 5 years old. My Dad made us leave early and I missed the only goal of the game scored by Trevor Sinclair. We would periodically accompany friends to Griffin Park before I was a Chelsea season ticket holder. We never expected much, it was just nice to see live soccer for cheap. It was always a great day out. I was even a ball-boy at a Kingstonian vs Brentford pre-season friendly!
Nobody thought that Brentford would have this kind of season in the Championship, England’s second tier, after being promoted from the third tier of English football just last season. The thought of Premier League football and Brentford never seriously entered my mind or for that matter any Brentford fans’ mind.
Brentford were relegated to the fourth tier of English football in the 2006/2007 season, they were rock bottom of “League 1.” After spending two seasons in “League 2” they earned promotion back into League 1 and spent the ensuing seasons yoyo-ing between being in the playoff to earn promotion to the Championship, and being mid-table.
In 2013/14 Brentford Football Club, my “small,” “local,” team were promoted to the Championship after finishing second in League 1. Most people thought that Brentford would simply be relegated back.
They’re not even close.
“The Bees” are currently residing in 7th place in the Championship. They are 7 points behind league leaders Bournemouth and 1 point outside the playoff places. Manager Mark Warburton has trusted the players that got them to the Championship for the most part, and they have rewarded him, the club, and the fans.
However on February 17th, with just 15 games to go, Brentford majority owner Matthew Benham and the Brentford FC board decided that manager Mark Warburton, his assistant David Weir, and sporting director Frank McParland would leave at the end of this season.
The reason is the as-usually-cited “philosophical differences.” The official statement claims that owner Matthew Benham wants a restructuring of Brentford FC. Benham wants a “Head Coach” that will work alongside a “Sporting Director,” and not a “Manager” per se like the more traditional structure we recognise at football clubs in the United Kingdom.
Part of the structural change will include a revamped youth recruitment system.Brentford say this will include traditional scouting and mathematical modeling with regard to scouting young players. The Head Coach will not have an absolute veto with regard to players coming into the club. It is thought that this is part of the “philosophical differences” Mark Warburton and the board were not able to agree upon.
It is a curious decision by Matthew Benham and Co. Brentford have had a wonderful season so far but uncertainty around the management situation has created uncertainty in the team, that has reflected in Brentford’s recent results.
Over the last eight games Brentford have won four games and lost four games. They have taken 12 points from a possible 24. They have been the 11th best team in the Championship over that period.
Warburton has said that his is disappointed with the decision and the two sides being unable to come to an agreement, but says that they will “move heaven and Earth” to get the promotion to the Premier League that the fans, and the players, deserve.
But honestly? I think Matthew Benham has made the right decision for Brentford Football Club. Let’s ask this question: Why do clubs sack successful managers?
Owners do not want to win at any cost anymore. Modern football is changing that. Financial fair play has changed that. Owners now want to implement a structure that will benefit their football club for years to come, to generate more income, to “grow-their-own” youth players.
