BRENTFORD were not wrong to award manager Andy Scott a fiveyear contract, insists acting chief executive David Heath.
Bees boss Scott, who took over in December, signed the extension on Friday, which has met with a mixed reaction from fans.
While most agree that Scott has been a breath of fresh air for the club, despite the season fizzling out in disappointing fa shion, many have questioned the length of the contract.
But Heath sees it as getting away from the recent revolving door culture which saw Brentford get through Leroy Rosenior, Scott Fitzgerald and Terry Butcher as manager at six-monthly intervals since Martin Allen in the summer of 2006.
He insists the length of the contract is not as important as the terms within it, and that five years indicates the club's long-term planning.
Heath said: "The length of contract was with a view to bringing about some much-needed stability.
"This will help when Andy goes out to try and sign new play-ers, they will see a club with a bit of stability and will know he'll be around.
"We have been impressed with Andy's vision and ambition, but he's the first to admit he needs new faces.
"Every manager should have three of four ideas of players to fill every position, which is being constantly upgraded, and Andy is no different."
Heath also reassured concerned fans that the terms of the contract mean they will not be shelling out mountains of compensation if things don't go to plan next season and Scott is shown the door.
A standard notice period is included in the fine print, although the length of it is confidential.
Heath added: "It is what the board feel is for the best. Of course, we would not do any anything which harms the club in any way.
"We expected some fans might be surprised by the length of the deal, but football is all about opinions.
"The last few games have been disappointing for everyone, me included. Brentford fans deserve better than they've had the last two seasons."
Heath, who delivered his final budget figures for next season to Scott last week, is keen to avoid the mistakes made by his predecessor last season.
He added: "I won't be making any bold predictions about going up, or setting an average attendance target.
"We hope performances will being back the crowds, and through forging better links with the Community Sports Trust, we can bring through the next generation of fans too."
