Old-timer Brooks outshines new Bees (From Ealing Times)

Old-timer Brooks outshines new Bees

1:08pm Friday 30th July 2004

• Print
• Email
• Share

BRENTFORD'S latest two signings John Salako and Deon Burton laid on the winning goal for Isaiah Rankin when the club celebrated Griffin Park's centenary with a deserved 1-0 victory over Reading on Sunday.

But they were outshone by 72-year-old former England winger Johnny Brooks, who played in a second match between two teams of ex-Brentford players.

Brooks showed some of the magic for Brentford B' that he used to display for Reading, Spurs, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. But Brentford A' won 3-2 with goals from Dean Holdsworth, player-manager Paul Gibbs and Billy Manuel. Scorers for Brentford B', managed by chief scout John Griffin, were Andy Driscoll, now player-assistant manager at Hounslow Borough, and Sean Sparham.

In the main match Rankin's 26th minute shot ensured that the Bees stretched their 100 per cent record to three friendlies in none of which they have conceded a goal. Salako's cross was nodded down by Burton and Rankin drove in his first goal for the club from 15yards.

Chris Hargreaves and Jay Tabb both had shots saved by Marcus Hahnemann in the second-half before Hargreaves rattled the crossbar.

Three minutes from time Bees supporter Jim Walsh came on as substitute. Walsh, 38, a life-long Brentford supporter from Hayes, had made the highest bid at the Centenary dinner in May to win a place in the team.

Nicky Forster had produced the best effort for Steve Coppell's Reading, but keeper Stuart Nelson made a fine save.

Brentford: Nelson; O'Connor (Dobson, 70 mins), Fitzgerald, Sodje, Frampton; Talbot (capt), Tabb (Walsh, 87 mins), Salako (Somner, 61 mins), Hargreaves; Rankin (Rhodes, 79 mins), Burton (Harrold, 70 mins). Subs not used: Lennie, Peters.

Attendance: 3,230.

One-hundred-year-old Bill Axbey, who has watched Brentford since 1918, was the club's special guest on Sunday.

Bill, former secretary of Brentford Supporters Association, took a fall en-route to Griffin Park. After suffering cuts and bruises to his face, he bravely refused hospital treatment in order to attend the Centenary Day.

Bill has been made a Brentford life vice-president and will be included on programmes in the playing squad' for the coming season.

• Print
• Email
• Share