This is a very special month for many, certainly two, reasons each of which acknowledge the launch of very important groups, split by 22 years!
On April 26th, 2001 a meeting to launch the new Bees fans organisation, Bees United, was held at Hounslow Civic centre! In the main picture above from April 26th, 2001 at the centre, you can see, John McGlashan, our first Bees United Chair, Geoff Buckingham, who was our press secretary in those days, with Ann Keen (local MP for Brentford and Isleworth from 1997, until 2010) and Trevor Watkins.
Trevor was part of Supporters Direct (now the FSA ) which was the organisation set up to foster the growth of Supporters Trusts such as Bees United (Brentford Football Community Soc. Ltd.), and other football fans groups, set up, formalise, grow and prosper.
Bees United was formally registered under the then, Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965, on June 26th 2001.
Much more on BU early days will follow!
Tommy’s induction into Hall of FameThree huge Bees legends, Ken Coote, Tommy Higginson and Jim Towers, were at our launch 22 years ago!
Here’s Tommy’s induction into the Hall of Fame.Tommy did the Brighton – Brentford walk in June 1967 to help raise funds to repay a huge loan. He finished first in a field of more than 200, despite losing his way en route, (allegedly it was a 3 mile detour but after a few in the Griffin, fans reported a 7 mile detour!).
Tommy’s Bees career ended at the age of 33 with 388 league appearances and 433 in all competitions. He scored 15 goals for The Bees, picking up a Fourth Division Championship winners’ medal in 1963
Fans Advisory Board
This month on the 19th April, the other key event was the inaugural meeting of the BFC FAB. I joined remotely but our director for Fans Engagement, Chris Tate, explains everything in our next article. Chris has been heavily involved in months of discussions with the BFC Board and with BIAS, as we have worked over the months to help bring this new body into reality.
Stuart Hatcher Chair Bees United