Daily Post

Brentford lose boss ahead of Wrexham clash

By Mark Currie, Daily Post

12 December 2007

Terry ButcherBRENTFORD yesterday parted company with manager Terry Butcher just four days ahead of their League Two relegation battle with Wrexham at the Racecourse.

The Bees, who have lost their last five matches without scoring a goal, are currently four points above the Welsh outfit, who have played a game less, and they will now begin the search for their fourth manager since Martin Allen quit Griffin Park in the summer of 2006 to take up the reins at MK Dons.

In a statement issued yesterday, the London club said: “Brentford have today parted company with Terry Butcher by mutual consent.

“This takes place with immediate effect and Andy Scott will take temporary charge of the team for this Saturday’s game at Wrexham.”

Bees’ chairman Greg Dyke added: “Terry could not have worked harder for this club and it is therefore a great shame to see him go.

“He’s a decent, honest, likeable bloke and for men and women of my generation he is still a footballing hero.

“He goes with my very best wishes for the future.”

Racecourse boss Brian Little said the news would not affect his preparations for Saturday’s match, but expressed sympathy for Butcher.

“During my time in this business I have seen a lot of people come and go and you always feel sorry for the person concerned,” he said.

“I guess Brentford probably expected to do a bit better this season and I thought they would be very competitive, but that doesn’t seem to have happened and in such circumstances it is the manager who pays the price.”

With Wrexham looking to get back to winning ways after their 3-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge last weekend, Little added: “The first 30 minutes of Saturday’s game could be very important.

“Perhaps their players will be a bit more committed, but if we can score an early goal against them I think we can go on and do reasonably well. I won’t change anything as we prepare for the game but the opening phase on Saturday could turn out to be crucial.”

Wrexham have cut ticket prices for the match, their last home game before Christmas.

The adult entrance fee for all sections of the ground is £10 and juniors can sit in the Mold Road stand for £5.

The offer applies to all tickets purchased before Saturday and fans unable to get to the Racecourse before then are invited to send a cheque and collect their tickets on the day.