As part of the club’s work to mark Black History Month this October, Brentford is taking part in Show Racism the Red Card’s ‘First 11 Black Players’ campaign.
The charity has invited a number of clubs to take part in an anti-racism education programme commemorating the first 11 Black players to play for each team.
Our exhibition will be on display at our home fixture against Liverpool in Gates B and C. Each club’s series will also be taken around the country as part of a travelling exhibition.
Brentford’s first 11 Black players to play for the club in the Football League have been celebrated in the Bees’ project. The resources created are intended to be used in schools, libraries and community projects to highlight the contribution of the Black community to Brentford.
Read on to learn more about Brentford’s Black pioneering footballers and their role in the club’s history.
1. Chris Kamara MBE - (1981-85)
Position: Midfield | Appearances: 190 | Goals: 32
Chris Kamara became Brentford’s first Black player when he made his debut in October 1981, having joined the club from Portsmouth. In February 1982, he became Brentford’s first Black captain when he took the armband against his former club. Kamara captained Brentford for over 100 games and was a key player in the midfield for four seasons. In 1982-83, he was voted Player of the Year by both supporters and team-mates. His final game was the Freight Rover Trophy Final in June 1985, Brentford’s first match at Wembley Stadium for 43 years. Kamara’s leadership and skill set a precedent for future Black players at the club.
2. Terry Rowe - (1981-84)
Position: Defender | Appearances: 81 | Goals: 1
Terry Rowe was the first Black player to progress from Brentford Juniors to the first team. Although he played in first-team friendlies from 1981, his full league debut came in February 1982, four months after Chris Kamara. Over the next couple of seasons, Rowe established himself as a reliable and consistent right-back. His journey from the club’s youth system to the first team highlighted the importance of youth development pathways and showed that Black players could rise through the ranks at Brentford.
3. Francis Joseph - (1982-87)
Position: Forward | Appearances: 138 | Goals: 56
Francis Joseph joined Brentford in the summer of 1982 after scoring against the Bees for his former club, Wimbledon, in both fixtures the previous season. He made an immediate impact by scoring twice on his debut at Griffin Park. Joseph was top scorer in his first season with 24 goals in 43 appearances, contributing to a team that scored 88 league goals in 1982–83. He repeated this achievement in his second season with 18 goals in 42 games. Across his career at Brentford, Joseph scored 56 goals, making him one of the most prolific forwards of his era. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 62.
4. Keith Cassells - (1983-85)
Position: Forward | Appearances: 102 | Goals: 36
Keith Cassells played for Brentford from 1983 to 1985, making 102 appearances and scoring 36 goals. He was joint-top goalscorer in 1984–85 with 12 league goals. In the Freight Rover Trophy Southern Final, he scored twice and had a penalty saved as Brentford defeated Newport County 6-0. His final game was the competition’s final at Wembley. In November 1984, Cassells joined a delegation at the Greater London Council’s County Hall to discuss tackling racism on the terraces, demonstrating his commitment to equality as well as his on-field contributions.
5. Tony Lynch - (1983-86)
Position: Forward | Appearances: 57 | Goals: 5
Tony Lynch progressed from Brentford Juniors to the first team. He became a regular on the right wing during his final season, 1985–86, contributing creativity to the attack. Lynch made 57 appearances and scored five goals during his Brentford career. His progression from the youth system to the first team reflects the importance of nurturing young talent, while his skilful performances added depth to the squad.
6. Bobby Fisher - (1984-86)
Position: Defender | Appearances: 56 | Goals: 0
Bobby Fisher was signed by manager Frank McLintock in 1984 to strengthen Brentford’s defence. He established himself as the club’s regular right-back over the next year, making 56 appearances. Fisher’s contribution provided stability in the defensive line and consistency across competitions. His uncle, Mark Lazarus, also played for Brentford in the 1960s.
7. Roger Joseph - (1985-88)
Position: Defender | Appearances: 121 | Goals: 2
Roger Joseph, the younger brother of Francis Joseph, was a junior at Griffin Park before making his debut in the final league game of the 1984–85 season. He progressively became the first-choice right-back, making 121 appearances and scoring twice. In April 1986, he and his brother became the only pair of brothers to both score in a league game for Brentford. In 1987–88, Roger was voted Players’ Player of the Year and was the first Brentford player included in the Professional Footballers' Association Division Three Team of the Year. He was later sold to Wimbledon for a then club-record fee of £150,000.
8. Tony Obi – (1986)
Position: Forward (Loan) | Appearances: 10 | Goals: 0
Tony Obi became the first Black player to be loaned to Brentford when he joined from Oxford United in 1986. During his two-month loan, he played ten consecutive league games, providing the team with attacking options and continuity in the squad. Obi’s loan demonstrated the evolving pathways for Black players to gain professional experience at Brentford.
9. Henry Hughton - (1986)
Position: Defender | Appearances: 11 | Goals: 0
Henry Hughton had a brief spell at Brentford in 1986, making 11 appearances across the defensive line to help the team during a period of injuries. His contributions provided valuable support to the squad when it was needed most. The Hughtons were a talented footballing family; Henry’s brother Chris Hughton was part of Brentford’s Third Division Championship-winning side in 1992.
10. Paul Smith - (1987-88)
Position: Forward | Appearances: 19 | Goals: 1
Paul Smith joined Brentford after being released by Arsenal. He started games on the right wing in the early part of his only season before being used as a substitute later in the campaign. Smith made 19 appearances and scored once during the 1987-88 season.
11. Keith Jones - (1987-91)
Position: Midfield | Appearances: 213 | Goals: 20
Keith Jones scored on his debut in September 1987 and quickly became a central figure in Brentford’s midfield. He captained the club for 167 games, leading the team out at Anfield in the FA Cup sixth round tie against Liverpool in March 1989. Jones also captained the side into its first play-off appearance in May 1991. He played his final few games at the start of the 1991–92 promotion season, when Brentford returned to the second tier for the first time since 1954. Over his career at the club, he made 213 appearances and scored 20 goals, having secured his legacy through leadership and consistency.