During the
1941–42 English football season,
Brentford competed in the London League, due to the cessation of competitive football for the duration of the
Second World War. Despite scoring over 80 goals in what proved to be a forgettable league season, the Bees won the
London War Cup with what was the club's only victory at the
old Wembley Stadium.
Season summary
With the
Second World War in full swing, the
Football League's
London clubs took a stand against the Football League and its upcoming
regional competition for the
1941–42 season, citing the financial difficulties of raising a team during wartime and having to travel long distances to away matches.[1] The rebel clubs broke away and competed in the London League during the 1941–42 season,[1] which led to their expulsion from the Football League.[2] Brentford began the season with a heavily depleted squad, with no
goalkeeper available for the entirety of the season and just five of the club's 12 available outfield players made over 30 appearances during the 40-match campaign.[3] Despite 16 goals in 19 appearances and 14 in 24 from returning guest
forwardsEddie Perry and
Douglas Hunt respectively,[3] Brentford finished 9th of 16 teams in the London League.[4] The team scored 80 goals, but the lack of a first team goalkeeper saw eight guests wear the jersey and concede 76 goals between them.[4]
After finishing as runners-up in the previous season's
London War Cup,[5] attentions turned to the 1941–42 edition of the competition when the group stage kicked off on 21 March 1942.[3] Aided by goals from all across the forward line,[3] Brentford finished the group stage as unbeaten leaders.[6] The Bees faced
Arsenal in the semi-final at
Stamford Bridge and drew 0–0.[3] The two teams met again for the replay
White Hart Lane a fortnight later, with goals from
George Wilkins, Douglas Hunt and a late
penalty save from
John Jackson ensuring Brentford's passage through to the final versus
Portsmouth.[1] The two clubs faced off at
Wembley Stadium on 30 May and a
brace from
Les Smith saw the Bees run out 2–0 winners, in what was the Bees' only victory at the old Wembley Stadium.[7] The 69,792 crowd is still the largest attendance at any Brentford match.[8] Brentford and
Wolverhampton Wanderers met in a North versus South cup winners' charity match a week later, with the 1–1 draw at Stamford Bridge bringing an end to the 1941–42 season.[3]