All at Brentford FC are saddened to hear of the death of former manager Fred Callaghan at the age of 77. The Club were informed of Fred’s death late on Tuesday 13 September.

Fred’s playing career was mostly at our neighbours Fulham, but he represented the Bees as both assistant manager and manager.

He is best remembered for his four years as manager in the early 1980s. He built exciting, attacking teams and brought fan favourites including Terry Hurlock, Chris Kamara and Gary Roberts to the Club.

Fred played more than 300 games for Fulham over the course of ten years and featured for them in the top three divisions.

He had to retire in 1974 before his 30th birthday and moved into coaching. Much of his managerial and coaching career was in non-league football, but Bees fans will remember his time with us fondly.

He first came to Griffin Park as assistant to Bill Dodgin Junior in 1977 and then moved to Woking to take charge of the Surrey side, before returning in early 1980 as caretaker manager.

He helped the Bees avoid relegation at the end of the 1979/80 season, with three wins in the last six matches, and was given the job full-time. The Club then achieved top ten finishes in his next three seasons as Brentford manager in the Third Division.

Among the highlights of Fred’s time in charge were Brentford’s first-ever run to the Fourth Round of the League Cup in 1982/83 and a Club-record 107 goals scored in all competitions in the same season.

The Bees also beat Exeter City 7-1 away from home on 23 April 1983, still our record away league win. Fred left Brentford in early 1984 and moved back into non-league management. He was also a London hackney carriage driver.