2001–02 Brentford F.C. season

During the 2001–02 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. The Bees were denied promotion after defeat to Stoke City in the 2002 Second Division playoff Final.

Brentford
2001–02 season
ChairmanRon Noades
ManagerSteve Coppell
StadiumGriffin Park
Second Division3rd
Play-offsRunners-up
FA CupSecond round
League CupSecond round
Football League TrophyFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: Owusu (20)
All: Owusu (22)
Highest home attendance11,303
Lowest home attendance4,026
Average home league attendance6,714

Season summary

2001–02 was Steve Coppell's lone season as Brentford manager.

After a promising, but ultimately disappointing 2000–01 season, Steve Coppell replaced Ray Lewington as manager of Second Division Brentford on 8 May 2001.[1] In the knowledge he would be provided with little money to buy players, Coppell was also tasked with raising £500,000 in transfer fees.[2] The previous season's squad was kept together, with two fringe players released and two arrivals – youngster Stephen Hunt and defender Jason Price on a short-term contract.[3] After a 1–1 opening day draw with Wigan Athletic, teenage Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Burgess was brought in on a one-month loan,[4] which was subsequently extended until the end of the season.[5]

Brentford had its best start to a season since 1934–35 and topped the table for the first time after a 4–0 win over Tranmere Rovers on 8 September 2001.[6][7] After a first league defeat of the season at the hands of Swindon Town on 25 September, the Bees went on a seven-match club record-equalling winning run and seized top spot in the Second Division.[7][8] Captain Paul Evans led by example,[9] scoring 9 goals in 13 matches in all competitions before suffering a hamstring injury in mid-October.[10] His temporary replacement was Arsenal's teenage midfielder Steve Sidwell, another loan signing which would prove to be a master-stroke and which would later be extended until the end of the season.[11] Between 10 November 2001 and 24 January 2002, Brentford won just twice in a spell of 13 league matches, suffering eight defeats, while briefly returning to the top of the table in late December.[7] By 21 December, Lloyd Owusu, Paul Evans and Ben Burgess had each reached 10 or more goals for the season, which was the fourth instance of three Brentford players reaching double-figures before Christmas Day.[12]

A 4–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in front of the Sky cameras at Griffin Park on 24 January 2002 turned Brentford's flagging season around,[13] with twin forwards Owusu and Burgess finding the net with regularity.[14][15] The Bees lost just two of the next 16 matches, but a 0–0 draw away to West London rivals Queens Park Rangers in the penultimate match of the season dropped the club out of the final automatic promotion place.[7] Cause for concern was a goal drought suffered by Ben Burgess,[15] who had failed to score since 26 February and the midfield was weakened by the £150,000 sale of Gavin Mahon to Watford,[16] in a bid to reduce the wage bill.[2] Brentford would play 2nd-place Reading at Griffin Park on the final day of the season, needing a win to secure automatic promotion, while the Royals only needed a draw.[17] Brentford took the lead through Martin Rowlands, but were pegged back 13 minutes from time by Jamie Cureton and the match finished as a 1–1 draw, which consigned the Bees to the playoffs.[18]

Brentford faced 6th-placed Huddersfield Town in the playoff semi-finals, a rematch of the 1995 semi-final encounter between the two sides.[7] The Bees held the Terriers to a 0–0 draw at the McAlpine Stadium and reached the 2002 Second Division playoff Final courtesy of goals from Darren Powell and Lloyd Owusu to emerge 2–1 victors in the second leg.[19][20] In the final versus Stoke City, Brentford "simply had no sting in their tail" and were defeated 2–0.[21]

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1Brighton & Hove Albion (C, P)46251566642+2490Promoted
2Reading (P)46231587043+2784
3Brentford462411117743+3483Participated in play-offs
4Cardiff City46231497550+2583
5Stoke City (O, P)462311126740+2780
Source: [22]
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted

Results

Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend

WinDrawLoss

Pre-season

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
13 July 2001Sutton UnitedA0–0652
17 July 2001Hampton & Richmond BoroughA2–0n/aAbbey (2)
20 July 2001WokingA3–1785O'Connor, Evans, (og)
24 July 2001IndiaH3–03,634Owusu (2), Evans
28 July 2001Coventry CityH0–0n/a
1 August 2001PortsmouthH2–21,361Hutchinson, Powell
3 August 2001WimbledonH0–41,550
6 August 2001Chertsey TownA6–0n/aHutchinson, Charles (2), Geddes (2), Tabb (pen)

Football League Second Division

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
111 August 2001Wigan AthleticA1–15,925Ingimarsson
218 August 2001Port ValeH2–04,561Evans, Burgess
325 August 2001ChesterfieldA1–03,571Evans
427 August 2001Cambridge UnitedH2–14,674Evans (2)
58 September 2001Tranmere RoversH4–05,211Owusu, Burgess, Evans, Williams
615 September 2001Notts CountyA0–05,043
718 September 2001Bristol CityH2–26,432Burgess, Powell
822 September 2001Oldham AthleticH2–25,522Owusu, Evans
925 September 2001Swindon TownA0–25,519
1029 September 2001Colchester UnitedH4–15,179Evans (2), Burgess, Owusu
115 October 2001Brighton & Hove AlbionA2–16,823Rowlands, Ingimarsson
1213 October 2001Peterborough UnitedH2–111,097Owusu, Evans
1313 October 2001BournemouthA2–03,934Hunt (2)
1423 October 2001BuryH5–15,389Owusu (2), Gibbs (2), Burgess
1527 October 2001ReadingA2–114,680Ingimarsson, Price
163 November 2001BlackpoolH2–07,605Sidwell, Owusu
1710 November 2001Stoke CityA2–317,953Burgess, Owusu
1820 November 2001Huddersfield TownA1–18,513Burgess
1924 November 2001Queens Park RangersH0–010,849
201 December 2001Wycombe WanderersA3–58,013Owusu, Evans, Burgess
214 December 2001Cardiff CityA1–310,184Evans
2215 December 2001WrexhamH3–05,326Ingimarsson, Hunt, Burgess
2321 December 2001Northampton TownH3–05,142Evans, Owusu, Burgess
2426 December 2001Cambridge UnitedA1–23,989Burgess
2529 December 2001Tranmere RoversA0–19,389
2612 January 2002Port ValeA1–24,588Owusu
2719 January 2002Wigan AthleticH0–15,549
2822 January 2002Northampton TownA0–14,184
2924 January 2002Brighton & Hove AlbionH4–07,475Ingimarsson, Burgess (2), Sidwell
302 February 2002Colchester UnitedA1–13,657Owusu
319 February 2002BournemouthH1–06,698Owusu
3212 February 2002Cardiff CityH2–16,718Hunt, Burgess
3316 February 2002Peterborough UnitedA1–15,100Owusu
3422 February 2002Notts CountyH2–15,367Evans, Burgess
3526 February 2002Oldham AthleticA2–34,935Burgess (2)
362 March 2002Bristol CityA2–011,421Owusu, Rowlands
375 March 2002Swindon TownH2–05,644Owusu (2)
389 March 2002WrexhamA3–03,343Evans (2), Rowlands
3912 March 2002ChesterfieldH0–05,372
4016 March 2002Wycombe WanderersH1–07,165Ingimarsson
4119 March 2002BlackpoolA3–14,865Rowlands, Owusu (2)
4230 March 2002Stoke CityH1–08,837Sidwell
431 April 2002BuryA0–24,332
446 April 2002Huddersfield TownH3–07,393Owusu, Sidwell, Rowlands
4513 April 2002Queens Park RangersA0–018,346
4620 April 2002ReadingH1–111,303Rowlands

Football League Second Division play-offs

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)Notes
SF (1st leg)28 April 2002Huddersfield TownA0–016,523
SF (2nd leg)1 May 2002Huddersfield TownH2–1 (won 2–1 on aggregate)11,191Owusu, Powell
Final11 May 2002Stoke CityN0–242,523[nb 1]

FA Cup

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
R117 November 2001MorecambeH1–04,026Gibbs
R28 December 2001Scunthorpe UnitedA2–33,457Dobson, Burgess

Football League Cup

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorer(s)
R121 August 2001Norwich CityH1–04,111O'Connor
R212 September 2001Newcastle UnitedA1–425,633Owusu

Football League Trophy

No.DateOpponentVenueResultAttendance
SR117 October 2001Wycombe WanderersA0–12,051

Playing squad

Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 2001–02 season.
NoPositionNameNationalityDate of birth (age)Signed fromSigned inNotes
Goalkeepers
1GKÓlafur Gottskálksson (1968-03-12)12 March 1968 (aged 33)Hibernian2000
13GKPaul Smith (1979-12-17)17 December 1979 (aged 21)Carshalton Athletic2000
25GKAlan Julian (1983-03-11)11 March 1983 (aged 18)Youth2001
Defenders
2DFDanny Boxall (1977-08-24)24 August 1977 (aged 23)Crystal Palace1998
3DFIjah Anderson (1975-12-30)30 December 1975 (aged 25)Southend United1995
4DFÍvar Ingimarsson (1977-08-20)20 August 1977 (aged 23)ÍBV1999
5DFDarren Powell (1976-03-10)10 March 1976 (aged 25)Hampton1998
6DFScott Marshall (1973-05-01)1 May 1973 (aged 28)Southampton1999
12DFMichael Dobson (1981-04-09)9 April 1981 (aged 20)Youth2000
15DFJay Lovett (1978-01-22)22 January 1978 (aged 23)Crawley Town2000
23DFDavid Theobald (1978-12-15)15 December 1978 (aged 22)Ipswich Town1999
26DFLee Fieldwick (1982-01-01)1 January 1982 (aged 19)Youth2000
27DFMatt Somner (1982-12-08)8 December 1982 (aged 18)Youth2001
Midfielders
7MFPaul Evans (c) (1974-09-01)1 September 1974 (aged 26)Shrewsbury Town1999
11MFMartin Rowlands (1979-02-08)8 February 1979 (aged 22)Farnborough Town1998
18MFEddie Hutchinson (1982-02-23)23 February 1982 (aged 19)Sutton United2000
20MFKevin O'Connor (1982-02-24)24 February 1982 (aged 19)Youth2000
21MFMark Williams (1981-10-19)19 October 1981 (aged 19)Youth2000
22MFJay Smith (1981-12-29)29 December 1981 (aged 19)Youth2001
28MFStephen Hunt (1981-08-01)1 August 1981 (aged 20)Crystal Palace2001
31MFJay Tabb (1984-02-21)21 February 1984 (aged 17)Crystal Palace2000
32MFSteve Sidwell (1982-12-14)14 December 1982 (aged 18)Arsenal2001On loan from Arsenal
34MFStephen Evans (1980-09-25)25 September 1980 (aged 20)Crystal Palace2002
Forwards
9FWLloyd Owusu (1976-11-12)12 November 1976 (aged 24)Slough Town1998
17FWMark McCammon (1978-08-07)7 August 1978 (aged 23)Charlton Athletic2000
24FWJulian Charles (1977-02-05)5 February 1977 (aged 24)Hampton & Richmond Borough1999
30FWBen Burgess (1981-11-09)9 November 1981 (aged 19)Blackburn Rovers2001On loan from Blackburn Rovers
33FWMark Peters (1983-10-04)4 October 1983 (aged 17)Southampton2002
Players who left the club mid-season
8MFGavin Mahon (1977-01-02)2 January 1977 (aged 24)Hereford United1998Transferred to Watford
10FWScott Partridge (1974-10-13)13 October 1974 (aged 26)Torquay United1999Transferred to Rushden & Diamonds
14MFTony Folan (1978-09-18)18 September 1978 (aged 22)Crystal Palace1998Released
16MFDerek Bryan (1974-11-11)11 November 1974 (aged 26)Hampton1997Released
19DFPaul Gibbs (1972-10-26)26 October 1972 (aged 28)Plymouth Argyle2000Transferred to Barnsley
29DFJason Price (1977-04-12)12 April 1977 (aged 24)Swansea City2001Released
32FWAdrian Caceres (1982-01-10)10 January 1982 (aged 19)Southampton2001Returned to Southampton after loan

Coaching staff

NameRole
Steve CoppellManager
Wally DownesAssistant coach
Roberto ForzoniAssistant coach
Jim StannardGoalkeeping coach
Phil McLoughlinPhysiotherapist
Colin MartinMedical Officer
John GriffinChief scout

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Substitute appearances in brackets.
NoPosNatNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupFL TrophyPlayoffsTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1GK Ólafur Gottskálksson28020200000320
2DF Danny Boxall0 (5)00000000 (1)00 (6)0
3DF Ijah Anderson33 (2)01020103040 (2)0
4DF Ívar Ingimarsson46620201030546
5DF Darren Powell41120200031482
7MF Paul Evans4014102010304714
8MF Gavin Mahon34 (1)020200038 (1)0
9FW Lloyd Owusu43 (1)202011103150 (1)22
10FW Scott Partridge0 (1)00 (1)00 (2)0
11MF Martin Rowlands13 (10)70 (1)00 (1)0003016 (12)7
12DF Michael Dobson38 (1)02120003045 (1)1
13GK Paul Smith18000001030220
15DF Jay Lovett2000000020
16MF Derek Bryan0 (1)00000000 (1)0
17FW Mark McCammon1 (13)00 (1)000000 (1)01 (15)0
18MF Eddie Hutchinson2 (6)00 (1)00010003 (7)0
19DF Paul Gibbs23 (4)221200 (1)027 (5)3
20MF Kevin O'Connor13 (12)01 (1)01 (1)0100 (2)016 (16)0
21MF Mark Williams0 (20)10 (1)00 (1)00 (1)0000 (23)1
22MF Jay Smith0000000 (1)0000 (1)0
23DF David Theobald5 (1)0000010006 (1)0
28MF Stephen Hunt34 (1)4100 (1)0103039 (2)4
29DF Jason Price1512010181
31MF Jay Tabb0 (3)0000000000 (3)0
Players loaned in during the season
30FW Ben Burgess4317212010305118
32FW Adrian Caceres500050
32MF Steve Sidwell29 (1)4203034 (1)4
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: Soccerbase

Goalscorers

NoPosNatPlayerFL2FACFLCFLTFLPTotal
9FW Lloyd Owusu20010122
30FW Ben Burgess17100018
7MF Paul Evans14000014
11MF Martin Rowlands700007
4DF Ívar Ingimarsson600006
32MF Steve Sidwell4004
28MF Stephen Hunt400004
19DF Paul Gibbs21003
5DF Darren Powell100012
29DF Jason Price1001
21MF Mark Williams100001
12DF Michael Dobson010001
Total77210282
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: Soccerbase

Discipline

NoPosNatPlayerFL2FACFLCFLTFLPTotalPts
19DF Paul Gibbs8120000010113
3DF Ijah Anderson91000000009112
5DF Darren Powell7010100010909
32MF Steve Sidwell701010909
11MF Martin Rowlands5100000000518
28MF Stephen Hunt4100001000518
7MF Paul Evans4000100010606
29DF Jason Price401000505
30FW Ben Burgess3000000000303
12DF Michael Dobson3000000000303
8MF Gavin Mahon20001000303
17FW Mark McCammon2000000000202
18MF Eddie Hutchinson1000000000101
20MF Kevin O'Connor1000000000101
9FW Lloyd Owusu1000000000101
23DF David Theobald1000000000101
21MF Mark Williams1000000000101
Total6344040103075487
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: ESPN FC

International caps

NoPosNatPlayerCapsGoalsRef
4DF Ívar Ingimarsson20[23]
7MF Paul Evans10[24]

Management

NameNatFromToRecord All CompsRecord League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Steve Coppell 11 August 200111 May 200254271215050.0046241111052.17

Summary

Games played54 (46 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy, 3 Football League playoffs)
Games won27 (24 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy, 1 Football League playoffs)
Games drawn12 (11 Second Division, 0 FA Cup, 0 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy, 1 Football League playoffs)
Games lost15 (11 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy, 1 Football League playoffs)
Goals scored82 (77 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy, 2 Football League playoffs)
Goals conceded54 (43 Second Division, 3 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy, 3 Football League playoffs)
Clean sheets22 (19 Second Division, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 0 Football League Trophy, 1 Football League playoffs)
Biggest league win4–0 on two occasions; 5–1 versus Bury, 23 October 2001
Worst league defeat2–0 on two occasions; 3–1 versus Cardiff City, 4 December 2001; 5–3 versus Wycombe Wanderers, 1 December 2001
Most appearances54, Ívar Ingimarsson (46 Second Division, 2 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 1 Football League Trophy, 3 Football League playoffs)
Top scorer (league)20, Lloyd Owusu
Top scorer (all competitions)22, Lloyd Owusu

Transfers & loans

Players transferred in
DatePos.NamePrevious ClubFeeRef.
2 August 2001MF Stephen Hunt Crystal PalaceFree[3]
2 August 2001DF Jason Price Swansea CityFree[3]
20 February 2002FW Mark Peters SouthamptonFree[25]
25 March 2002MF Stephen Evans Crystal PalaceFree[26]
Players loaned in
Date fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.
14 August 2001FW Ben Burgess Blackburn RoversEnd of season[4]
7 September 2001FW Adrian Caceres Southampton7 October 2001[27]
22 October 2001MF Steve Sidwell ArsenalEnd of season[28]
Players transferred out
DatePos.NameSubsequent clubFeeRef.
13 September 2001FW Scott Partridge Rushden & DiamondsFree[29]
4 November 2001MF Tony Folan BohemiansFree[30]
4 March 2002MF Gavin Mahon Watford£150,000[16]
15 March 2002DF Paul Gibbs BarnsleyFree[31]
Players loaned out
Date fromPos.NameToDate toRef.
18 October 2001DF Jay Lovett Crawley Town30 April 2002[32]
29 October 2001FW Julian Charles Farnborough Town30 November 2001[33]
Players released
DatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.
3 July 2001FW Lorenzo Pinamonte Castel di Sangro4 July 2001[34]
31 October 2001DF Jason Price Tranmere Rovers8 November 2001[35]
12 March 2002MF Derek Bryan Gravesend & Northfleet12 March 2002[36]
30 June 2002DF Danny Boxall Bristol RoversJuly 2002[37]
30 June 2002FW Julian Charles Billericay Town2002[38]
30 June 2002MF Paul Evans Bradford City9 August 2002[38]
30 June 2002DF Ívar Ingimarsson Wolverhampton Wanderers1 July 2002[38]
30 June 2002FW Lloyd Owusu Sheffield Wednesday3 July 2002[38]
30 June 2002DF David Theobald Swansea City26 July 2002[38]

Kit

Supplier: Patrick
Sponsor(s): GMB

Home
Away

Source: Brentford F.C.

Awards

Notes

References