As the calendar rolled over to July, pre-season at Griffin Park got into full swing.
The month started with the First-Team squad heading over to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for their pre-season training camp. On their return The Bees’ numbers were boosted as Tommy Smith joined on trial, Alex Pritchard signed on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and Scott Hogan signed a three-year deal to move from Rochdale to Brentford. Going the other way Will Grigg joined Sky Bet League One side MK Dons on a season-long loan deal.
Mark Warburton’s summer squad building didn’t just include bringing in new faces, it also saw a number of the successful League One promotion winning side extend their stay at Griffin Park. Jake Bidwell became the latest member of the Griffin Park squad to sign up for a further three years with the club.
On the pitch it was a busy month in July with first-team pre-season friendlies, development squad pre-season friendlies and two Brentford Academy sides crossing the Irish Sea to represent The Bees in the Milk Cup.
The First-Team began their pre-season campaign in Hertfordshire as goals from Kevin O’Connor, a Josh Hill own-goal and a Jake Bidwell strike secured a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood. Next up was a Barnet side under former Brentford manager Martin Allen. It was the West London Bees who prevailed on this occasion as an Alan Judge double sent them on their way to a 5-1 win at The Hive. After two games against non-league opposition the stakes were raised as French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice visited Griffin Park. The match gave Brentford fans a taste of what was to come as an Alex Pritchard doubled secured the 3-2 win in an exciting game. The month ended with defeat as CA Osasuna won 4-0 at Griffin Park to inflict a first pre-season reversal on The Bees.
The Development Squad were also in action throughout the month, playing four matches as they built up to the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South season. First up an own-goal and a strike from Montell Moore helped them to beat a Luton Town XI 2-1. Trialist Christian Lagos got on the score-sheet to ensure a 1-1 draw away at Hampton and Richmond Borough before goals from Dereece Richards and Louis Hutton saw off Maidenhead United 2-1 at York Road in their penultimate friendly of the month. Much like the first-team the month ended with defeat as Staines Town ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Wheatsheaf Park.
In Northern Ireland the games came thick and fast for the two Brentford entrants at the 2014 Dale Farm Milk Cup. It was a perfect first day for The Bees as the Under-15s beat Watford 2-0 while the Under-17s came from behind to beat Lusaka Academy 3-2. Day Two saw a rear-guard action from Queen of the South dent the Under-15s hopes of making the final four as the Scottish side ran out 3-1 victors while the Under-17s made it two wins from two as they looked to retain their title after a 5-0 demolition of local side County Fermanagh.
The group stages ended of Day Three with both of The Bees’ representatives at the Milk Cup qualifying for The Globe competition after the Under-17s lost 2-1 to Benfica while the Under-15s beat County Down 4-2. The Under-15s would go on to make The Globe final after a 3-0 win over Rangers while Under-17s lost on penalties to Club America to make 7th/8th place final.
July also saw a number of changes in the running of the club as owner Matthew Benham took over a majority shareholding in Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland, Alan Bird, David Heath, John Herting and Eddie Rogers stepped down as Directors of Brentford Football Club and Brentford FC announced a sponsorship deal with Matthew Benham’s company Matchbook.