New Brentford Chairman Cliff Crown said he saw his job as being a “guardian” of the Club for the supporters.

Cliff was named as Brentford Chairman this morning, replacing Greg Dyke, who had held the job since the start of 2006.

Greg had to stand down from his position as Brentford Chairman and give up his place on the Board of Directors at the end of the 2012/13 season after he was appointed as Independent FA Chairman.

Cliff, who acts as Chief Financial Officer and business adviser to a number of companies in which Club owner Matthew Benham has a financial interest, was appointed as a Director last season and has now taken on the role of non-executive Chairman.

Cliff said he wanted to see the Club improve on and off the pitch and build on the good work done over the past few years both internally and externally.

“I want to make sure that we enhance the relationship we have with the fans,” said Cliff, speaking to Bees Player earlier.

“There is a great relationship with the fans and the community.

“Brentford FC Community Sports Trust does great work and we want to continue to work with them and help them.

“The fans are a great strength of Brentford.

“My job as Chairman is to be a guardian of the Club for the fans.

“I want to try and improve the team, improve the Club both in terms of the players and the facilities.

“The move to a new ground is very exciting.

“My role is to try and build on what has been a great experience over the past couple of years.

“We want to achieve our ambition, promotion to The Championship.”

Cliff said he was “delighted” and “honoured” to have been asked to take over as Chairman.

He first met Matthew around six years ago when worked with a firm of accountants and started working with him around two and half years ago, looking after his financial interests.

Cliff, a chartered accountant with more than 30 years’ experience in advising commercial owner managed businesses, said he felt he has made a contribution since going on to the Board.

“I was delighted to be asked to be Chairman,” he said.

“I have worked on the board for the last nine months or so and have really enjoyed getting to know the guys.

“I was honoured to be chosen.

“I have enjoyed my time on the Board so far.

“I feel I have been able to contribute and many of the challenges we face are similar to businesses that I have been advising for many years.”

Cliff explained he had been sitting in on Board Meetings and was invited to formally join the Board after Matthew took over the majority shareholding at the Club last June.

He said he was impressed with how the Club was being run and the people involved at the top of Brentford FC.

“I look after all of Matthew’s financial interested, ensuring there is good governance on all the businesses he is involved in and looking after his money,” said Cliff.

“I have looked after Matthew through the period of the takeover.

“Once he took over the Club last June I was asked to formally join the Board.

“I had been sitting in as an advisor prior to that and was making sure Matthew’s money was being well spent.

“I could see the Club was being run incredibly well.

“The Board has a very good team of people; it was well run with proper processes in place.

“Proper decisions were brought to the Board for consideration.

“I have always been impressed with the way the Club has been run and ultimately it is a business.”

Cliff paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Greg Dyke and said he did not think there would be massive changes with him taking the job.

He said his role was to make sure the Club’s money was being well spent.

“I don’t see any wholesale changes,” he said.

“I am following on from Greg Dyke, who did a brilliant job as Chairman.

“If I can carry on his good work I will be delighted.

“Greg will be a huge miss, he is a great character.

“He has done a superb job and we wish him all the best in his role at the FA.

“My job is to ensure the Club is well run and money is not frittered away.

“The important decisions affecting the future of the Club need to be made properly and considered carefully.

“Ultimately the job is to ensure the Club is in a good position to continue for many years to come.”

Cliff said he was getting used to the world of football and loved watching matches, particularly at Griffin Park.

He added he had seen intelligent business people ignore financial rules when they get involved in football and he would not do the same.

“I love coming to Griffin Park and enjoy the away matches as well,” said Cliff.

“It is a great experience and there is a great atmosphere here.

“Hopefully with the improvements we have made and will continue to make I can see the atmosphere getting better.

“I love the ground; you feel part of the team and the Club.

“The football world is very different from the one I am used to.

“I have been going to Football League meetings and have got to know the people.

“What struck me most was that clever business people don’t follow the rules when it comes to football.

“That is something I am not prepared to football.

“My number one priority is the financial health of the Club and looking after Matthew Benham’s interests.

“We will not find ourselves in a position where our finances get out of control.”

Brentford narrowly missed out on promotion in 2012/13, finishing third in League One and losing in the Play-Off Final.

Cliff said he was looking forward to the upcoming season and was hoping Brentford could make it to the second tier this time around.

“I am looking forward to the season,” he said.

“We had a really successful season last season and an exciting but ultimately disappointing end.

“I feel we have built a foundation and can improve and enhance what we have achieved.

“I am looking forward to a positive and successful season and let’s hope we go one step better than last year and gain promotion to The Championship.”

Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Cliff Crown here.