BRENTFORD’S takeover by supporter-investor Matthew Benham was brought a step closer this week with the appointment of one of his pals to the club board.

Phil Whall, who is CEO of Benham’s company Smartodds, became a director last week in place of Benham’s former representative on it, Rob Esteva.

Whall went to university with Benham and is believed to be a trusted friend of the man being increasingly seen as Brentford’s new owner.

Benham is believed to have been in negotiations to buy out the club’s majority shareholder, supporters’ trust Bees United, for months now.

A Brentford supporter who made his fortune in the gambling industry, Benham has already pumped hundreds of thousands of pounds into the club in the form of interest-free loans.

With Brentford back in pre-season training and due to play their first friendly next week, it is understood the takeover talks are close to reaching a conclusion.