The five new members of Brentford’s Hall of Fame have described their induction as an honour.
Bob Booker, Peter Gelson, Keith Millen, Alan Nelmes and Danis Salman were all inducted at the Brentford Football Club 125 Year Anniversary Dinner last week.
Each of the five received a special salver from Independent FA Chairman Greg Dyke, who was Brentford FC Chairman before stepping in to the job at the national association, at the dinner last Thursday, November 20, and spoke to Natalie Sawyer, who hosted the event.
Bob, 56, joined Brentford at the age of 20 and gained a reputation for his versatility as he played in every position for The Bees apart from in goal.
Bob joined Sheffield United in 1988 and became a hero a Bramall Lane before returning to Griffin Park in 1991 and helping The Bees to the 1991/92 Third Division title.
By the time he left in 1993 he had played 325 games in all competitions, 250 in the league, and scored 48 goals, 44 in the league.
He returned as Youth Team Manager in 1994 and over the next six years helped the next crop of Brentford players through to First Team level, including current Club Captain Kevin O’Connor.
Bob, on receiving his award, said: “I would like to say thank you to everybody, and especially to the Club.
“It has been an honour to play for this Club.
“It has been a massive part of my life as a player and a coach, 22 years I think
“It has been brilliant and I have loved every minute.
“Thank you very much, it has been a great evening and I will follow this Club until the day I die.
“I love it.”
Peter came through the youth ranks at Brentford and has such an affinity for the Club that he is still a Season Card Holder.
The 73-year-old was a fixture for more than a decade, helping Brentford to the Fourth Division championship in 1962/63 and then back out of the fourth tier again in 1971/72 after relegation in 1966.
Awarded two testimonials, Peter played a total of 517 games for The Bees – only Ken Coote and Jamie Bates have played more – and scored 18 goals.
He played 471 league games for Brentford, second only to Coote, before leaving in 1975.
Peter said: “To be inducted in to the Hall of Fame in an honour.
“I am very pleased to accept it.
“I wish the Club all the best for the future and hope they can make the step in to the Premier League.”
Keith was part of the Brentford team that won the Third Division championship in 1991/92 and won a raft of Player of the Year awards that term.
He turned professional in 1983, having previously been on the books of Southampton and Crystal Palace, and played for The Bees at Wembley in the 1985 Freight Rover Trophy Final defeat to Wigan Athletic.
The 48-year-old spent 11 years at Brentford and played 380 games for Brentford, 305 in the league, and scored 20 goals, placing him seventh on the Club’s all-time list of appearance makers.
Upon receiving his award Keith recalled his debut, which meant replacing Chris Kamara, also present last Thursday.
“I can remember Chris Kamara coming off at half time when I went on to make my debut,” he said
“He was concussed in the changing rooms.
“I am not sure he has recovered yet.
“I would like to thank the Club for this, it has come so far and hopefully it can get in to the Premier League this year.
“It is fantastic to be back here.”
Alan joined Brentford in 1967 having come through the youth ranks at Chelsea and spent the next nine years at Griffin Park.
Another defender, like Peter and Keith, he missed only three games between 1968 and 1972 and is part of a select group to play 100 consecutive games for The Bees.
He helped The Bees win promotion in 1971/72 from the fourth tier and played a total of 350 games for Brentford, 316 of them in the league, and scored two goals.
Alan said: “This has been a great evening and it is fantastic to see the Club doing so well.
“This has rounded it off for me.”
Danis made his Brentford debut at the age of 15 years and 248 days and still holds the record as the Club’s youngest ever player, jointly with Paul Walker.
The defender, who could play at right back or centre back, spent 11 years at Brentford before playing for Millwall, Plymouth Argyle, Peterborough United and Torquay United.
The England Youth international played 371 games for The Bees, 325 of them in the league, and scored eight goals.”
Danis recalled his debut: “I was at school, a car picked me up, I went in to the dressing room and didn’t know anybody and saw these big strapping blokes with jock straps,” he said.
“I sat down and I was very nervous.
“Jackie Graham sat down next to me and said ‘Good luck and, if in doubt, give it to me’.
“I did it as often as I could, we won 1-0 and that was the start of many good years.”
The five join Malcolm MacDonald, Dai Hopkins, Joe James, Phil Holder, Dean Holdsworth, Jackie Graham, Alan Hawley, Bobby Ross, George Francis and Terry Evans previously inducted.
A video of the player received their Hall of Fame salvers can be seen here by Bees Player subscribers.