Sometimes, in times of turmoil, it pays to look back – and doing so today may bring some comfort to Brentford fans.
It was always going to be a tough transfer window for Bees supporters, with star players being eyed by other clubs, but none could have predicted the turmoil of James Tarkowski's refusal to play in last week's game against Burnley.
It was another kick in ther teeth for the club in a year which has provided many – from the fallout of Mark Warburton's departure, the sale of star players, the failure of Marinus Dijkhuizen, pitch problems and the Capital One Cup humiliation by Oxford.
However, it was not so long ago that the club was on its knees financially, and a quick look at where they were a decade ago, with bucket-shaking and sponsored walks necessary to help things ticking over, should put the current problems into perspective.
In fact, it was 10 years ago today - 20 January 2006 – that Bees United (BU), the Brentford Supporters Trust, completed the purchase of the majority of shares in the club, in what was described at the time as 'one of the most momentous days in the club's history'.
What has followed since has been an incredible decade for Brentford. As a result of the takeover in 2006, Greg Dyke became chairman, then BU chairman Brian Burgess joined the board, and previous owner Ron Noades left the club.
During that decade, Dyke became chairman of the FA, while Brian Burgess and Chris Gammon, another former BU board member, have led the development of the Brentford Community Stadium at Lionel Road.
BU also launched an initial partnership deal with Matthew Benham, before going on to sell the shareholding to him in 2012. Brentford, with Benham’s support, is now an established Championship club, no longer alternating between Leagues One and Two.
In 2001, supporters campaigned against the club relocating to Woking. Now, the new Lionel Road stadium development – just a short walk from Griffin Park – will give Brentford a local home for decades to come.
David Merritt, Bees United chair and club director, said: “The 10 years since BU took majority ownership of Brentford FC have been immense for the club.
"It was Brian Burgess, Chris Gammon and the Bees United Board that created that historic moment for the club, and it has been Matthew Benham who has enabled it to be so successful since.
“We started the decade in crisis – we finished it with the most successful season since World War Two, and we head in to this anniversary year for Bees United more positive than ever.”
