[3] After a 1–1 opening day draw with Wigan Athletic, teenage Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Burgess was brought in on a one-month loan,[4] which was subsequently extended until the end of the season.
[6][7] After a first league defeat of the season at the hands of Swindon Town on 25 September, the Bees went on a seven-match club record-equalling winning run and seized top spot in the Second Division.
[12] A 4–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in front of the Sky cameras at Griffin Park on 24 January 2002 turned Brentford's flagging season around,[13] with twin forwards Owusu and Burgess finding the net with regularity.
[7] Cause for concern was a goal drought suffered by Ben Burgess,[15] who had failed to score since 26 February and the midfield was weakened by the £150,000 sale of Gavin Mahon to Watford,[16] in a bid to reduce the wage bill.
[7] The Bees held the Terriers to a 0–0 draw at the McAlpine Stadium and reached the 2002 Second Division playoff Final courtesy of goals from Darren Powell and Lloyd Owusu to emerge 2–1 victors in the second leg.