During the 1941–42 English football season, Brentford competed in the London League, due to the cessation of competitive football for the duration of the Second World War. Despite scoring over 80 goals in what proved to be a forgettable league season, the Bees won the London War Cup with what was the club's only victory at the old Wembley Stadium.
With the Second World War in full swing, the Football League's London clubs took a stand against the Football League and its upcoming regional competition for the 1941–42 season, citing the financial difficulties of raising a team during wartime and having to travel long distances to away matches.[1] The rebel clubs broke away and competed in the London League during the 1941–42 season,[1] which led to their expulsion from the Football League.[2] Brentford began the season with a heavily depleted squad, with no goalkeeper available for the entirety of the season and just five of the club's 12 available outfield players made over 30 appearances during the 40-match campaign.[3] Despite 16 goals in 19 appearances and 14 in 24 from returning guest forwardsEddie Perry and Douglas Hunt respectively,[3] Brentford finished 9th of 16 teams in the London League.[4] The team scored 80 goals, but the lack of a first team goalkeeper saw eight guests wear the jersey and concede 76 goals between them.[4]
After finishing as runners-up in the previous season's London War Cup,[5] attentions turned to the 1941–42 edition of the competition when the group stage kicked off on 21 March 1942.[3] Aided by goals from all across the forward line,[3] Brentford finished the group stage as unbeaten leaders.[6] The Bees faced Arsenal in the semi-final at Stamford Bridge and drew 0–0.[3] The two teams met again for the replay White Hart Lane a fortnight later, with goals from George Wilkins, Douglas Hunt and a late penalty save from John Jackson ensuring Brentford's passage through to the final versus Portsmouth.[1] The two clubs faced off at Wembley Stadium on 30 May and a brace from Les Smith saw the Bees run out 2–0 winners, in what was the Bees' only victory at the old Wembley Stadium.[7] The 69,792 crowd is still the largest attendance at any Brentford match.[8] Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers met in a North versus South cup winners' charity match a week later, with the 1–1 draw at Stamford Bridge bringing an end to the 1941–42 season.[3]
