Matchday Memories: On This Day 1952 – Both George & Eddy Brown Bees Off!
Harry Storer
On this day (22nd March) way back in 1952 Coventry City were in the Division Two basement fighting against the drop. Legendary ‘gaffer’ Harry Storer, on his second stint at the club, had seemingly lost his touch as the City faced Brentford at Highfield Road on the back of three straight 1-3 defeats. They had lost to the Bees in London in early November by the only goal of the game scored by Fred Monk after only eleven minutes, so revenge would be sweet!
The ‘Bantams’ (as CCFC were known in the pre-Sky Blues days) gave Coventry a modicum of hope by squeezing past the Bees by the odd goal in three in front of an impressive Highfield Road crowd of 27,577! Both City’s goals were scored in the second period and the CCFC defence managed to keep the Bees’ famous prolific No.9 Tommy Lawton quiet!
George Lowrie
The home club’s goals were scored by two seasoned and recently signed professionals, Welsh international inside left George Lowrie after a melee in the box after 54 minutes and centre forward Eddie Brown, after 68 minutes, netting after a corner and a pass from Bryn Allen. Our shotstopper Bill Gilbert was also making his debut (though he had been at Highfield Road as an understudy since 1948). The Bees consolation goal came in the 73rd minute from Billy Dare who turned home a free kick from short range. Though Dare also hit the bar late on, the Bees recent signing from Notts County, the prolific No.9 Tommy Lawton failed to make his mark being well marshalled by City’s recent signing Roy Kirk who had a stormer!.
Eddy Brown in Bantam’s kit
George had been a fantastic marksman with CCFC in his first war interrupted spell with us (1939-1948) scoring 47 goals in 56 appearances! Moving to Newcastle United and then Bristol City the Welshman had been signed once more for CCFC by Storer to great acclaim in February 1952 and had got his first goal on his return the previous week.
Edwin ‘Eddy’ Brown was an even more recent new signing from Southampton and today’s goal was his first for CCFC in his second game.
Storer’s team for this game was:-
Bill Gilbert; Martin McDonnell & Dick Mason; Les Cook, Roy Kirk & Noel Simpson; ‘Plum’ Warner, Bryn Allen, Eddy Brown, George Lowrie & Norman Lockhart
A.H.Gibbons‘ Bees team lined up:-
Reg Newton; Fred Monk & Roddy Munro; Tony Harper, Ron Greenwood & Wally Bragg; Jackie Goodwin, Jimmy Bowie, Tommy Lawton, Ken Coote & Billy Dare Referee:- H.Pearce (Luton)
CCFC 1951-52 (aug)
George and Eddy’s boost of three goals each at the back end of the CCFC season was not enough to save the Bantams and they suffered relegation to Division Three South in penultimate spot (21st) with Queen’s Park Rangers bottom. It would not be until 1964, under Jimmy Hill, that the club would be able to restore its position in the second tier. Interestingly Jimmy was on the books at Brentford at this time before moving to Fulham later this month!
The Bees finished tenth and Sheffield Wednesday were Division Two Champs!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
