In 1889, Brentford was home to the Brentford Rowing Club and Boston Park Cricket Club.

Attempts to form football and rugby clubs fell by the wayside until a new recreation ground was opened on 17 October 1889. Seven days earlier, a meeting had taken place at the Oxford and Cambridge pub near Kew Bridge, during which it had been debated between the rowing and cricket club members to decide how best to use the recreation ground.

On 16 October 1889, the rowing club members again met at the Oxford and Cambridge pub and it was voted that the new club would play association football.

Thames Valley Times (9 October 1889)

At the usual monthly meeting of the Brentford Rowing Club, held last Monday, the question of starting a Brentford Football Club was discussed and it was resolved that a meeting be held in the Pavilion at the Oxford and Cambridge, Kew Bridge, tomorrow (Thursday) evening, to set the “ball rolling” (“kick-off” at 8.30), at which all gentlemen interested in football are invited to be present.

Richmond and Twickenham Times (Saturday 19 October 1889)

Meeting held on Wednesday evening (16th October 1889) at the Oxford and Cambridge Hotel, Kew Bridge.

JH Strachan was again voted the chairman. Also in attendance were: HL Edwardes, H Gaterell, A Simon, L Simon, A Drabble, C West, J Curtis, H Phipps, S Phipps, F Fusedale, Bailey, C Almond, A Penn, Hurst, HW Dodge, Harris, AE Bolton, P Parkman, JJ Green, AD Green (sec).

A letter from the Secretary was read out, written on 12th October 1889, asking the Local Board’s permission to use the new Recreation Ground for football. It was addressed from the Oxford and Cambridge, Kew Bridge Road, the home of Brentford Football Club.

Mr Edwardes suggested that Mr Montgomery’s field in Windmill Road should and could be obtained for a nominal payment per annum. He also pointed out that the person who refused the petition five years ago (Mr George Clarke) was not alive and could present no stumbling block to the club this time.

Mr Edwardes said that the field was superior to the Recreation ground because there they would not be interfered with by the roughs of the town as they would surely have been at the Recreation Ground and there could be no cavilling about their monopoly of public ground. Dressing accommodation was just as handy.

Mr Edwardes said that there were very few rugby playing sides in the area and that therefore they should go with the stream and play the association game. Mr West seconded.

Mr Dodge moved that rugby be played and Mr Gaterell seconded. Only members who intended to play were permitted to vote and eight voted for football, five for rugby.

Captain Mr Curtis was proposed by Mr Almond and seconded by Mr West. Mr Curtis suggested that Mr Bailey should fill the office, but that gentleman found he could not attend as regularly as he wished. Mr Gaterell was also proposed but as he did not play the Association game he declined the honour.

The Chairman believed that Mr Curtis had a great deal of experience and was sure that he would make an excellent captain.

Vice Captain Messrs Gaterell, West and Bolton were nominated in turn but for unavoidable causes could not occupy the position. Eventually Mr Bailey was elected to the position.

Committee: Messrs Edwardes, Drabble, Gaterell, West and Beaver were elected and AD Green was voted secretary.

Salmon, claret and light blue, the same colours as Brentford Rowing Club, were adopted as the club colours. Mr Underwood was to be asked to be President and Messrs K Montgomery, S Walker, J Bigwood (MP), T Layton, GH Jupp and AS Montgomery were to be asked to be vice-presidents.