All at Brentford FC were saddened to hear of the death of former player Paul Shrubb. Paul died yesterday, Thursday 28 May, at the age of 64 after a battle with motor neurone disease. The defensive player, who featured for The Bees in the late 1970s and early 1980s, played just short of 200 games for Brentford and is also known for his time at Aldershot.

Paul came through the youth ranks at Fulham but only played once for them in the Second Division before a move to South African football. Brentford brought him back to England in 1977, at the age of 21, and he scored four minutes in to his debut against Bradford City at Griffin Park. He scored once more in the rest of the 1976/77 season, but it was the following year that made his name at the Club.

Paul was part of a small tight-knit squad which won promotion in 1977/78 from the fourth tier of English football. Playing in a variety of positions, he played 45 of Brentford’s 46 games as The Bees finished fourth and clinched promotion. He scored only once that season, but only top-scorer Steve Phillips played more games than Paul’s 49 that term.

He continued to be a regular in Brentford’s third tier side, like the 1978/79 team above, being almost ever-present for the next three years. He slipped out of the team in the 1981/82 season and left to join Aldershot in August 1982. Paul played 198 games for Brentford in all competitions and scored eight goals. He played 202 times for Aldershot and also featured for the phoenix Aldershot Town when they reformed in the 1990s.

Paul had a lengthy association with The Shots. After going back as a player in 1992 he also had time as assistant manager and caretaker boss and was awarded a testimonial in 2006. He also had spells in non-league football with clubs including Woking and Dorking. After leaving Aldershot in 1997 he spent time as a scout for clubs including Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle.

Paul was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2006. He was still often seen at Aldershot games and was still scouting with the illness until 2009. The condolences of all at Brentford FC are passed on to Paul’s family, friends and former team mates.

A tribute to Paul, written by historian and author Greville Waterman, has been published on the website of Bees United, the Brentford Supporters' Trust. Greville met Paul in 2014. Read that here.