Jackie Gibbons' Brentford began the 1950–51 season with Billy Dare as the only recognised goalscorer on the club's books.

[2] The squad was augmented by young forward Bernard Kelly and former Blackpool right half Ken Horne replaced the retired Malky MacDonald.

[3][4] Aside from four wins in a row in August and September 1950, Brentford had a torrid first half of the season and fell to just one place above relegation by mid-November.

[5] Injuries and constant tinkering meant manager Gibbons had been unable to field a settled XI.

[2] Manager Jackie Gibbons also recruited football analyst Charles Reep in February 1951.