The family of a Brentford FC Hall of Fame member with an association with The Bees stretching back to before World War II will put the first spade in the ground at the Club’s new home. Ground will be broken on the site of Brentford Community Stadium next Monday, 19 March, as work begins of a new home for The Bees. As part of the ground-breaking process a family with a long connection to Brentford FC were sought to place the first shovel in the ground and that honour will go to the Muttitt family.

The Club will also welcome Colin Burkin to the event. Colin was the lucky winner of the draw from all those that entered their name and fan number to be in with a chance of taking away a piece of history from the day. Colin was chosen to take home one of the shovels that is being used to break the ground for our new stadium. He will be there to see the historic moment.

The Muttitt family that will break ground on Monday are descendants of Ernie Muttitt, who played for The Bees during the Club’s golden period in the 1930s. Ernie joined from Middlesbrough in 1932 and spent 14 years at Griffin Park. He helped The Bees win promotion from the third tier in his first six months at Griffin Park and then to the top flight in 1935. He was part of the squads which finished fifth in Division One in 1936. While not a regular, Ernie played 94 games for the Club and scored 27 goals, he also racked up more than 100 wartime appearances and was inducted in to the Brentford FC Hall of Fame, posthumously, in 2015.

When playing for the Club Ernie lived locally and was often spotted on the terraces after his departure. He passed on a love of The Bees to his family and the Club welcomes them to the ground-breaking ceremony. Ernie’s son Robert was born in Braemar Road in 1947 and it was his submission that caught the eye of the Club’s judging panel. There were a number of very good entries and the decision to choose the Muttitt family was a tricky one.

Robert will be joined at the ceremony by his son Peter and daughter Nicki, both Season Ticket Holders. The final member of the family joining in on the day will be the youngest, Sophie, aged one and already bedecked in red and white. The Club would like to thank everyone who took part in the competition and their stories will be shared over the coming weeks. The winning entry can be seen below.

My family’s association with Brentford goes back 86 years when my Dad Ernie Muttitt joined Brentford from Middlesbrough in 1932. He played from 1932 to 1947 and was inducted to the Brentford hall of fame in 2015. I was born at 6 Braemar Road August 1947. From an early age Dad used to take me over to the ground where I had my first swimming lesson in the player's big bath.

The first player I can remember was Billy Gorman (I suppose I remember him because of his bald head). As I got a bit older my Mum and Dad would take me to see the games. I would go and watch them train on a Tuesday and Thursday night and as I got older I would go to games with my mates and we would stand in the corner between Braemar Road and Brook Road. Later we would stand behind the goal in Brook Road.

We would go to as many away games as we could - one of the games I enjoyed most was away to Aldershot waiting for the train at Brentford Station with all the supporters singing. My Daughter started going in the 80s with me and my Son in the 90s. I became a season ticket holder seating in D stand my Son and Daughter both became season ticket holder's sitting near to where I used to stand in the Braemar Road all those years ago.

We go to all the home games together I don't get to away games much these days but they go when family commitments allow. I have a little Granddaughter now and she has got a Brentford kit already so hopefully the next generation will be watching the Bees soon. I will sad to see the old ground go.

I have lots of old memories: swimming in the bath watching the old players playing Snooker which was located under the old D and E stand near to their changing room; standing outside the ground waiting to get the away teams autographs; playing football and cricket, drawing our goal and stumps on the old wooden front main entrance in Braemar Road. Later when they tarmac the front - thank you Brentford for making it the perfect football pitch between the two houses.

In my early teens playing hide and seek around the ground on a Tuesday and Thursday nights while the players trained. Great memories but looking forward to the new ground and a great future I hope my family and I see Brentford in the Premiership and hopefully stay there. Whoever wins will deserve this great honour.

Robert Muttitt