Brentford

Broncos link up with Harlequins
London Broncos will change their name to Harlequins Rugby League next season and move to the Stoop in a link-up with the Harlequins rugby union club. As part of the "long-term partnership", the league side will sport the famous Harlequins colours and jester logo. And the Stoop Memorial Ground will be renamed the Twickenham Stoop. "We have the opportunity in the coming years to build Harlequins into a powerhouse in both codes," said Quins chief executive Mark Evans. Although the Broncos will take on the Harlequins name, they have stressed that the deal is not a merger or takeover and that the clubs remain separate entities. They will keep the Broncos name and colours and continue to play at Brentford Football Club's Griffin Park for the rest of the Super League season. Broncos chairman Ian Lenagan said: "While this is not a merger or takeover in either direction it does represent the most exciting coming together of rugby union and rugby league ever. "It represents coming together under the most famous rugby brand in the world and with the most capable boards of directors on the rugby union side and the rugby league. "We feel sure it is a very, very strong future for rugby league in the capital." The partnership will involve the two teams sharing Quins' Roehampton training facilities and pooling player development, administrative and commercial resources. "Everyone at NEC Harlequins is very excited by this partnership and determined that this venture will be a successful one," added Evans, whose side were relegated from the Zurich Premiership last season. "Although we're steeped in tradition, Quins is also a club with some very progressive and dynamic ideas. "This partnership is another proactive step in the evolution of the Harlequin brand and club." The Broncos' move is the ninth in the 25-year history of rugby league in London. The Broncos reached the 1999 Challenge Cup final during a previous stay at The Stoop from 1997-1999. But they failed to build on the success and since 2002 they have played five miles down the road at Griffin Park. They have played under the name the Broncos since 1994, having previously been known as the Crusaders. The club was re-formed four months ago after going into liquidation with debts estimated at £3m. sports Cafe boss Lenagan took over as chairman last week and assumed joint control with former owner David Hughes.

Allen defends Nelson after error
Brentford manager Martin Allen has defended goalkeeper Stuart Nelson after his blunder saw the Bees go down 1-0 at Port Vale. Michael Cummins mis-hit a 25-yard shot from Nathan Lowndes' pass and the ball went through Nelson's grasp. "He's been superb in the first two games and we play as a team. As far as we are concerned, it wasn't just his mistake," he said. "I think we had enough to get something out of the game."

Cheltenham 5-0 Brentford
Cheltenham swept into the second round of the Carling Cup with a crushing win over League One leaders Brentford. JJ Melligan gave the Robins the perfect start when he prodded home but the Bees almost levelled when Kevin O'Connor forced a fine save from Shane Higgs. Gavin Caines made it 2-0 when Grant McCann's penalty was saved after Melligan was upended in the box and Jamie Victory headed home number three. Skipper McCann struck twice in three minutes late on to seal the rout. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cheltenham: Higgs, Wilson, Caines, Taylor, Victory, Melligan, Bird, McCann, Armstrong (Gill 46), Odejayi (Spencer 60), Vincent (Finnigan 68). Subs Not Used: Brown, Yao. Booked: Vincent, Melligan. Goals: Melligan 5, Caines 55, Victory 69, McCann 78, 81. Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor (Tabb 56), Turner, Gayle, Tillen, Peters (Steele 86), Osborne, Keenan, Brooker (Watts 74), Campbell, Fitzgerald. Subs Not Used: Frampton, Bankole. Booked: Osborne, O'Connor. Att: 2,113 Ref: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).

Pratley snubs Swans for Brentford
Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley has snubbed Swansea's advances to join Brentford on loan until January. The Welsh club had expected the 20-year-old midfielder to begin a four-month stay at the New Stadium. But Pratley has opted for a return to Griffin Park where he spent three months last season, making 16 appearances for the League One outfit. He made his Fulham debut against Wigan in September 2003 but has made just one further outing for the senior team. Pratley had been a target for Swans manager Kenny Jackett since the close season. Fulham boss Chris Coleman would have prefered it if Pratley had gone on loan to a Championship team. But Brentford will be delighted to have the talented youngster's services for a second time.

Allen still seeking improvement
Brentford boss Martin Allen says his side must keep looking to do better after beating Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 to stay top of the League One table. "After eight games we're going okay but I still feel there's room for improvement," he told the club website. "Over a long period of time, good displays will get points and although the second half was better, the first wasn't near the standard we have set. "The bottom line is we picked up three points and we all went home happy."

Fitzgerald on Bees transfer list
Brentford striker Scott Fitzgerald has been placed on the transfer list. Fitzgerald, who joined the Bees from Watford in March, has failed to win a regular place in the side and is available for a loan or permanent move. "With the emergence of Ryan Peters and the early return of Alex Rhodes, we have more than enough forwards," boss Martin Allen told the club website. "I'm going to find it hard to get Scott into the 16 let alone the 11 so I want to be fair to him and get him playing."

Second half display pleases Allen
Brentford manager Martin Allen praised his side's second half performance in the 1-0 win at Oldham. "After Oldham lost 4-0 the week before, I expected them to be coming at us," he told Brentford's official website. "But with a bit of luck, some fantastic blocking and good concentration we managed to hang on in there. "The second half we played with more purpose, more confidence and higher up the field. There were few chances but we got the one that mattered."

DJ ready to spin out Sunderland
Brentford striker DJ Campbell is confident his love affair with the FA Cup will continue when the Bees entertain Sunderland on Saturday. Campbell was a key figure for Yeading as the Conference South club reached the third round last season before losing to Newcastle. "It is a great competition and I'm looking to go one better this year," Campbell told Sir Stanley "We can definitely win, they are on a bad run, which is good for us." Yeading's achievements last season put Campbell in the spotlight and a move to Brentford followed last summer. Last season's FA Cup run also brought Campbell his first encounter with Bees boss Martin Allen. Campbell was invited by a television station to travel up to Hinckley United to watch their second-round tie with Brentford, after which the third-round draw was made. Allen's Bees landed Luton, provided they won a replay against Hinckley, while Campbell's team of course pulled out Newcastle. Allen and Campbell did separate television interviews, with the Bees' boss pulling faces behind the camera as the Yeading striker tried to keep a straight face. "Martin was taking the mickey out of me," added Campbell, who is known by more or less everyone as DJ, with the exception of Allen, who calls his player Dudley. Campbell enjoyed the media exposure and was pleased with the recognition that it bestowed upon Yeading. "The media attention was excellent," said the 24-year-old. "I was on GMTV, which was different as I'd never done anything like that before. "For such a small club like Yeading to get to the third round was superb - I'm not sure it will happen again. It created some great memories. "No one had really heard of Yeading before but we put the place on the map." Campbell was disappointed with his performance against Newcastle, felt he could have done better despite the calibre of the opposition. But by that time Campbell had caught the eye of several clubs. The striker thought that he would be joining Barnet, but found out about Brentford's interest when he was away with the England Non-League team in Ireland last summer. Campbell opted for the League One club, but admits it took time to adjust to life as a full-time professional. Not normally nervous, he admits to feeling anxious before games, desperate to win the crowd over. The full-time players were quicker and sharper than Campbell, who trained twice a week with Yeading. But the man who scored 83 goals in 109 appearances for Yeading worked hard on his game and has now established himself in the first team alongside Lloyd Owusu. And he is now confident that he can produce more FA Cup heroics against Sunderland. "I love playing for Brentford." he said. "It will be a tight, good match against Sunderland but we can definitely win."

Brentford 2-1 Sunderland
Brentford dumped Sunderland out of the FA Cup thanks to two moments of individual brilliance from DJ Campbell. Brentford took the lead on 57 minutes when the impressive Campbell sprinted past Gary Breen before rounding Kelvin Davis and slotting the ball home. Sunderland's equaliser had an element of luck about it as Julio Arca's cross arced its way over Stuart Nelson. But in the 89th minute Campbell embarrassed the Sunderland defence again, drilling the ball past Davis. Brentford were never overawed by their Premiership opponents and Sam Sodje also hit the bar for the home team. There was plenty to admire about the way Brentford tried to take the game to Sunderland. Jay Tabb and Sam Pillen produced tidy performances in midfield, while in attack Campbell's pace constantly troubled Breen. Playing wide on the left Isaiah Rankin was always eager to move infield and support Campbell and he went close with a couple of shots. Rankin's first shot curled narrowly wide, while the second was deflected, forcing Davis to readjust his position quickly. However, the Sunderland goalkeeper got his bearings all wrong in trying to catch a Sodje header when he allowed the ball to drop on to the bar. Sunderland took their time to adjust to the pace of the game, but as the first-half went on they gradually came into the game. The Sunderland attack included striker Kevin Kyle, who was playing his first game for 18 months after recovering from a hip injury. Dean Whitehead had Sunderland's two best chances in the opening period, with his second effort - a low shot - producing a fine save from Nelson. Within seconds of the restart Campbell missed a glorious chance when he hurried his finish. Whitehead's ability to get into the Brentford box continued to trouble the home side and one run required Sodje to make a superbly timed intervention to clear the ball. Soon after, Jon Stead should have put the visitors ahead when he was picked out by Arca's floated cross, but the Sunderland striker steered his header wide. Having survived that scare Brentford went ahead with a goal that illustrated Campbell's lightning pace. The former Yeading striker skipped his way past a stumbling Breen before rounding Davis and sliding the ball home. On 66 minutes, Sunderland drew level when Arca miskicked his cross but was able to wheel away in celebration when the ball flew over Nelson. But Campbell had the last word when he got to the ball before Neil Collins and then composed himself to fire past Davis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brentford: Nelson, Frampton, Sodje, Turner, Tillen (Brooker 73), Rankin (Hutchinson 82), Newman, Campbell, Tabb, Mousinho, Owusu. Subs Not Used: Bankole, Fitzgerald, Gayle. Goals: Campbell 57, 89. Sunderland: Davis, Hoyte, Breen, Neill Collins, Danny Collins, Lawrence, Whitehead, Miller, Arca, Kyle (Gray 61), Stead (Le Tallec 61). Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Nosworthy, Bassila. Booked: Neill Collins. Goals: Arca 66. Att: 11,698. Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

Dobson loan at Reading extended
Brentford have extended former captain Michael Dobson's loan spell at Reading until the end of the season. Dobson moved to the Madejski Stadium in November but has yet to start a game for Steve Coppell, who was also his manager at Brentford in 2001/02. Meanwhile the Bees have given defender John Mousinho a new two-year contract. Manager Martin Allen told the club website: "Both of these deals are in the best interest of this club, especially looking in the longer-term."

Bees boss rules out Leicester job
Brentford boss Martin Allen has stated that he has no interest in taking over as Leicester manager. Championship strugglers Leicester have been linked with several managers since Craig Levein was sacked - and failed to lure Mike Newell from Luton. "I can assure all our supporters that I will not be leaving to go to Leicester City," Allen told the Bees website. "I have no comment to make on speculation and if, buts and maybes. I just deal with the facts." Allen has been in charge at Griffin Park since March 2004 and his team are currently fourth in the League One table.

Allen praises Brentford character
Brentford boss Martin Allen was delighted with his players' character following their goalless draw at Doncaster on Tuesday night. Allen said: "I'm delighted with the point and delighted for the fans having travelled so far in midweek. "The players showed tremendous character and determination to get a valuable point away from home. "In the second half our players played with more confidence and we were unlucky not to take all three points."

Bees boss takes League One prize
Brentford boss Martin Allen has been named as League One's manager of the month for February. The Bees recorded three consecutive league wins over Walsall, Bristol City and Southend, although they lost to Port Vale and drew with Doncaster. Their FA Cup run came to an end in the fifth round, at Charlton, but they are now sixth in League One. The other contenders were Doncaster's Dave Penney, Huddersfield's Peter Jackson and Port Vale's Martin Foyle.

Brentford 3-1 Barnsley
Brentford ended Barnsley's seven-game unbeaten run with a solid victory that boosts their automatic promotion hopes. Home skipper Ricky Newman volleyed home from Jay Tabb's through ball after 12 minutes to open the scoring. Lloyd Owusu made it two midway through the first half, chipping home in style from 15 yards from Alex Rhodes' pass. Ex-Brentford loan striker Tommy Wright headed one back for Barnsley but with five minutes left Owusu secured victory for the Bees from the penalty spot. Brentford: Nelson, Brooker, Sodje, Turner, Frampton, Tillen, Newman, Tabb, Rhodes (Willock 81), Rankin (Pratley 81), Owusu (Gayle 89). Subs Not Used: Bankole, Peters. Goals: Newman 12, Owusu 22, 85 pen. Barnsley: Colgan, Kay, Reid, Carbon, Austin, Shuker (Hayes 79), McPhail, Howard, Devaney (McParland 44), Richards (Wright 62), Nardiello. Subs Not Used: Williams, Flinders. Booked: Austin, Colgan, Nardiello. Goals: Wright 68. Att: 7,352 Ref: P Miller (Bedfordshire).

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