This season Prostate Cancer UK is the official charity of The
Football League. To celebrate, we've asked bloggers from each of
the 72 clubs to count down their top five strikers to have worn the
No9 shirt, in recognition of the fact that prostate cancer
affects one in nine men.
Griffin great: Nicky Forster typified the classic No9. Photo courtesy of Action Images
Here blogger Ryan O'Donovan, of lifeonthebeeroads.blogspot.co.uk,
selects Brentford's five best No9s… and one to forget!
5. Lloyd Owusu (1998-2002 &
2005-07)
Fans will most probably remember the tower of muscle for his
unique call out on the PA at the start of the game, when the
announcer would say "Lloyd", and the crowd would reply with a
roaring "Owusu!" He was able to smash in a total of 84 goals during
his collective years at Brentford, including some goals that helped
to get Brentford to the (doomed) play-off final in Cardiff in
2001-02.
4. Nicky Forster (1994-97 &
2010-11)
Forster was the typical striker: dangerous, cunning and ruthless.
Using his great skills, he was able to put away 40 goals during his
time at Griffin Park and struck fear into the hearts of goalkeepers
and defenders alike. The England Under-21 set-up took notice of
this machine, gave him four caps and he continued to torment
opposition defences.
3. Dean Holdsworth
(1988-92)
Many Brentford fans will tell you that Holdsworth made them feel
very proud to be a Brentford supporter. Holdworth scored 54 goals
for Brentford in 108 league starts and had it all: he was faster
than a shopper running for the sales, as strong as an ox and had
more of an eye for goal than even the most gifted sharpshooters. A
true Bees great.
2. Gary Blissett
(1987-93)
More coveted around Griffin Park than its four pubs, Blissett was
a real out-and-out striker for Brentford. Blissett was suited to
aerial challenges and controlled the sky more than air traffic
control does - scoring a total of 79 goals in TW8. Bees fans may
remember him for both his goalscoring prowess but also for his
facial hair, which is said to be more recognisable to a Brentford
fan than that of Joseph Stalin.
1. Jim Towers
(1954-61)
Who else but the mighty Jim Towers, one of the 'Terrible Twins'
(along with George Francis)? Easily the best No9 ever to have
graced the famous red and white of Brentford, Towers progressed
through the youth ranks at Brentford. He completed his national
service in Germany in 1954 after signing his professional contract
- something you wouldn't see a glossed-up modern day footballer
doing. With 153 goals, Towers is Brentford's all-time leading
goalscorer - a true footballing great who is remembered fondly at
Griffin Park.
And the
worst…
Calum Willock
(2006-07)
Four goals in 42 games says it all, really. Willock was only ever
a back-up for the better-equipped strikers in the team and never
really found his feet at Brentford. Unfortunately for Willock,
there are dogs, cats and single-celled organisms that are better at
football than he was. He was finally released in May 2007 after
warming the bench for a long year. There were probably many fans
who wished he could warm theirs on a cold November evening,
too.
Follow Ryan on Twitter @R_O_Donovan