Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane reflects on the 2024/25 campaign, discussing winning the Professional Development League, reaching three finals, developing players in-house and on loan, and the pathway from Under-9s to the first team.

In a campaign culminating in a league title, characterised by incredible player development and full of structural changes, MacFarlane led the west Londoners to three cup finals in the 2024/25 campaign.

He explained: “We reflect with a great deal of pride. First and foremost, you're looking to develop a new group of players and push them on through the course of the season and then try and see them evolve over each month.

“We've certainly seen that this season individually and collectively as a team.

“It's down to the players, working hard every single day on the training ground to implement what we want to see within the team.

“When you perform the way that we have been performing, naturally, you get good, positive results."

Brentford B have continued to help players develop by sending them out on loan to get minutes in men’s football.

Striker Ashley Hay and winger Tony Yogane joined League Two side Cheltenham Town and League One outfit Exeter City, respectively, for the second half of the season, whilst defender Valentino Adekokun had two loan spells, the first with Diósgyőri VTK in Hungary, before joining Hay at Cheltenham in January, where he made 17 appearances.

“We want to see all the individuals flourish and keep getting better. There's always a point where they must step out of their comfort zone and try something different," MacFarlane added.

“The loan market has been really successful this season with the number of players going out and loan and doing really well at different clubs.

“Naturally, obviously, teams want to take them and we never, ever stand in the way of that opportunity either.

“Although the group then became a little bit smaller from January onwards, the togetherness has kept the level of performances the way they have been through the course of the season.

Yogane also made his debut for the first team this season, and MacFarlane reflected on the pathway that he has helped to create.

“We are so proud of every single player that steps on the pitch for the first team. To see them earn their place on the Robert Rowan board is brilliant; there have been so many names over the time that I've been here.

“It's difficult to single anyone out because it's been a real team effort. The staff as well, who work together relentlessly, whether that's on and off the pitch, to put these players in a really good position to go and perform.

“We have a goal every single morning to make sure that we are pushing these players relentlessly to help their careers and hopefully see them go on for 14 or 15 years with longevity."

As well as reaching the final of every competition they entered domestically, the B team have had multiple opportunities to test themselves against foreign opposition in an exciting games programme.

“We should never lose sight of what has been a big part of the B team project," MacFarlane said. "Travelling abroad, for instance, to Monaco when we played and performed so well in the Atlantic Cup.

“We beat Göteborg's first team out there, and that's a great achievement within the season as well.

“It was obviously disappointing not to come out as winners of the PL Cup final, but having won that only two seasons ago and then to get to another final and win the PDL, this project is certainly moving in the right direction. "

MacFarlane also spoke about the support throughout the club, which enables the B team to thrive: “The support and stability at any football club is huge, and all the stakeholders give massive support to the B team.

"You can see the real togetherness in the spirit, and that's a big, big part of this club. Long may that continue because I can't thank them enough, and they've always been hugely supportive."

As well as the success in the B team, Brentford Academy has seen the reintroduction of teams from Under-9s to Under-16s as part of the relaunch.

MacFarlane stated: “Naturally, when you open things up, it takes a little bit of time to get that up and running to the levels that we want but it’s been a breath of fresh air in many respects.

"They've brought real life to the place with all these age groups that are up and running. Stephen [Torpey] and everybody that's there has been doing a terrific job."

The Academy has also settled into their new home in the 2024/25 season, playing their home games at Wheatsheaf Park since October 2023: "The difference between playing there or say, for instance, at the training ground is monumental, and we've been really fortunate that the club went to purchase the venue. We absolutely love playing there."

The B team have gone unbeaten in their games at Gtech Community Stadium this term, ending their fixtures in TW8 with a scintillating 6-1 victory over Tottenham U21s in the Robert Rowan Invitational.

"We've performed really well at Gtech every time we've played there; it has been outstanding for us," he said.

“Over the last month and a half of the season, we've been fortunate enough to be playing games at our first team’s home ground regularly and that's been great experience for the boys as well."

After a hugely successful season, MacFarlane is full of enthusiasm to make next term even better: "We want to attack next season with the same energy, same vigour. That will never change within me.

“If you look at what our main goals are here it’s to keep progressing these young footballers into a really good place for their careers; hopefully here but, if not, then, as we've seen many times, at other clubs.

“We want to see progression up to the first team and every single year we have had several promotions - that will be the case again this year, so we are hugely proud of that.

“We’re always looking to improve, but it’s also important to reflect on what has been a sensational season."