After relegation to the Third Division at the end of the previous season, the ownership of Brentford changed hands for the second year in succession, when Ron Noades took over the club as owner and chairman during the 1998 off-season.

[3] 9 wins in the opening 13 league matches put the Bees firmly in control at the top of the table, though three successive defeats in the midst of the run temporarily dropped the club back to 7th place.

[4] 3–2 defeats in each of the two legs (with Brentford taking the lead in both matches) ended the run, with memorable goals being scored by Andy Scott, Darren Freeman and Lloyd Owusu.

[5] Three league defeats in a four-match spell in November and injuries and suspensions to Andy Scott, Darren Powell, Danny Boxall, Jamie Bates and Martin Rowlands led Noades to further strengthen the squad with forward Leo Fortune-West and midfielder Gavin Mahon.

[4] The victory set up a "winner takes all" match for the title on the final day at the Abbey Stadium versus nearest challengers Cambridge United.