Brentford

Who are Brentford?

Brentford are a team based in East London, the United Kingdom. They compete in the Premier League.

The club were founded in 1889. By 1896, they had joined the London League, progressed to the Southern League back in 1888 and finally entered into the English Football League in 1920.

The Bees’ most productive period came after the appointment of Harry Curtis as head coach in 1926, with promotions in 1933 and 1935 taking the team into English football’s top-flight for the only time in their history.

Their decline began three years later, eventually leading to their relegation back to the third league south by 1954.

The side were relegated to the new Fourth Division back in 1962 and, due to financial woes, almost went out of existence five seasons later and were close to moving to a new home ground in Hillingdon with the possibility of QPR moving to Griffin Park, but were fortunately saved at the eleventh hour by ex-director Walter Wheatley granting the side an interest-free loan.

In 1987, the Bees appointed Steve Perryman as chief of the club – a decision which paid dividends. Under Steve’s successor, Phil Holder, the club finally returned to the second league in 1992 after a 38-year absence.

In their first campaign, they were relegated. Aside from four years that were spent in EFL League Two (where the Bees twice won the title), the team remained mainly in League one in 2015, where after five failed seasons in the playoffs across the preceding 19 years, the team finished second and received automatic promotion.

New chairman Matthew Benham’s ‘moneyball’ like transfer dealings have resulted in serious financial performances from the club, with stars such as Neal Maupay going on for large sums.

What are the predictions for next season?

Finally, in the PL, after several near misses, Brentford should be served well by the integrated thinking that runs through all aspects of the side.

Early momentum looks key to the club’s survival hopes, and if the fixture list gets Brentford off to gentle start, Thomas Frank’s side could surprise a few.

As with any newly promoted club, a smattering of fresh stardust will be needed, but this is an outfit with the capacity to outsmart a few complacent EPL clubs in the transfer market.

Whatever materialises, the Bees look a worthy addition to the top tier.

Brentford – 2021/22 season (odds)

Brentford are considered as the most likely to stay up, listed at 11/10 for relegation, but they are still among the favourites to go down.