Now available to buy online, your Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion match programme includes an in-depth interview with Ben Mee.
Mee has had a turbulent few years, to say the least.
While transitioning from a player to a coach at Burnley, getting relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season, and then relocating 235 miles to Brentford sounds challenging, it doesn’t compare to what Ben and his family had to deal with in 2019.
His daughter, Olive, was born prematurely at 23 weeks, weighing just 1lb 2oz, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Premier League was about to restart after a four-month break.
“It was a tough, tough time for us,” Ben told club journalist Adam Goodwin.
“Olive was in hospital for three and a half months. It was touch and go [whether she’d survive] at the beginning.
“But she was really strong and came through it really well. We feel so fortunate. It's had a real impact on how I view things - my perception on football and on general life.
“It’s opened my eyes a lot more - what things matter, what things don't, how to enjoy things a bit more and not to take things to heart too much.
"I have appreciation for our kids being healthy and the health of all of our friends and family. We’re just happy that she's now a healthy little girl and progressing really well.”
Our second interviewee is Pat Kruse. A centre-half, Pat made more than 200 appearances for the Bees during a five-year stay and was part of the 1977/78 promotion-winning side.
“The playwright Willis Hall was a director at the time and, as he lived in St. Albans, I used to give him a lift home,” said Pat when asked about his Brentford memories.
“We’d stop at a pub on the way and have a cup of tea at his house. It was unbelievable that you could associate with those people. They were so down to Earth.
“To be honest, I ought to write a book about it because, when Rick Wakeman became a director, I got on so well with him, too. He invited us to a concert at Wembley one time and said for us to come backstage afterwards – and we were there with all these top, top people.
“Another time, we played Watford and Elton John was there – he and Rick knew each other and we got invited out with them to a nightclub! A girl came over and asked for them to play the piano – and they got on the piano and sung happy birthday to her!
“They were all just genuine people who accepted you for who you were. I honestly think we had the best time at Brentford in the 1970s and ‘80s.”
Also included in issue five of your match programme:
- Thomas Frank’s thoughts
- Big Ben Burgess’ Big Match Preview
- The lowdown on Brighton, including an interview with Richie Mills of Sussex Live
- Steve Sidwell in profile
- The Nathan Caton column
- Kyreece Lisbie on his route to Brentford B
- Behind the scenes at Brentford’s First Team photoshoot
Printed locally using sustainable materials, this 100-page issue is available online and around the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday for £4.
Available inside and outside the ground – as well as from the Bees Merchandise Kiosk and the Bees Superstore – our sellers will be accepting contactless payments only.
Sales locations are detailed below:
Bees Superstore and Bees Merchandise Kiosk (Lionel Road South)
Lionel Road South locations
Bridge (Bees Superstore end)
Outside Bees Superstore (outside magnet)
2x outside the Box office (outside entrance B)
End of Lionel Road (Kew Bridge stadium end)
Away end entrance (outside entrance G)
Stadium locations
Merchandise kiosks (West, North, East stands and family section)