Another one of Brentford’s stars of the 1970s has become the latest player to be inducted in to the Brentford FC Hall of Fame. Paul Bence was presented with a special commemorative salver by Brentford FC Chairman Cliff Crown at half time when The Bees faced West Bromwich Albion yesterday. Paul attended the game with his family and was making a rare return to Griffin Park to watch The Bees.

Paul spent just short of seven seasons with The Bees, playing at Griffin Park for most of the 1970s. He joined Brentford from Reading before the start of the 1970/71 season, having begun his career with Brighton and Hove Albion. By the time he left in spring 1977 he had established himself as a reliable defender or defensive midfield player and racked up hundreds of games in red and white.

Paul played 268 games for The Bees in all competitions and scored six goals. He made 244 league appearances for the Club and won the Players’ Player of the Year Award at the end of the 1972/73 season. Paul was part of the team that won promotion from Division Four in 1972. Unfortunately, The Bees came straight back down and the majority of Paul’s time in West London was spent in the bottom tier. He was one of the Club’s guests when 100 years of Griffin Park was celebrated in 2004.

Paul, 70, joins an ever-growing Brentford FC Hall of Fame which also includes Malcolm MacDonald, Joe James, Ken Coote Phil Holder, Dean Holdsworth, Terry Evans, Bob Booker, Peter Gelson and current First Team Assistant Coach Kevin O’Connor. The Hall of Fame is administered jointly by the Club, and The Brentford FC Former Players’ Association. There will be further inductions as Brentford prepares to move to a new stadium in the summer of 2020.