It was 125 years ago today that the official decision was taken that a new winter sports team would play football.
Last Friday, October 10, was the 125th anniversary of a meeting of Brentford Rowing Club held at the pavilion of the Oxford and Cambridge public house, close to Kew Bridge, where it was decided to create Brentford FC.
Six days later, October 16 1889, a formal decision to play association football rather than rugby was taken.
On October 10 a small gathering met to agree to play a winter sport with the hope of using Brentford Recreation Ground for matches.
The club had been formed but the meeting had been adjourned so a letter could be written to Brentford Local Board seeking permission to use the Recreation Ground before the next meeting
The Middlesex Independent newspaper, published on October 19 1889, carried a report of that second meeting.
The report said: “Considerable progress was made towards the successful establishment of a Football Club for the town when the adjourned meeting took place under the presidency of Mr [John Henry] Strachan, pictured above, of the Brentford Rowing Club at the Oxford and Cambridge Hotel.
“Mr H L Edwardes regretted that the Local Board had decided to defer an answer to the question asked them for three weeks, and pointed out the serious delay which would ensue to the Club, if they waited until that time before taking any definite action.
“He was of the opinion that the Club should set about procuring a ground elsewhere, and mentioned Mr Montgomery’s field, whilst he believed that gentleman took a sufficient interest in football to assist the Club by every means that laid in his power.
“He moved therefore that the Club be formed, and that a Captain and Committee be elected, their duties to commence from that evening.
“This was seconded and carried.
“It was then decided that the Club be called the ‘Brentford Football Club’, that the colours be claret and blue, and that the association game be played.
“Mr [JJK] Curtis was elected captain, and Mr Bailey vice-captain.
“At the dinner in celebration of the Recreation Ground opening, Mr Underwood promised to give the use of his field behind Clifden House for the purpose of the club.”
The first match, against Kew, was played on November 23 1889 and featured Bill Dodge, who went on to be a Director during the Club’s 1930s heyday.
The Club is celebrating the 125
anniversary with a series of events.
A celebration will be held at the Sky Bet Championship match against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday October 21 – more information can be seen here.
There will also be an anniversary dinner on Thursday November 20, full details are available here.