Griffin Park

The history of Griffin Park stretches back to 1904 and mirrors the development of English football across the twentieth century, as well as the changing fortunes of Brentford as a west London community.

Construction and opening

The ground was opened in September 1904 when Brentford FC relocated from their previous home at Boston Park. The site at the corner of Ealing Road and Braemar Road had previously been used as an orchard owned by Fuller's Brewery -- the griffin featured in Fuller's logo gave the ground its name. The stadium was built up gradually over the decades, always modestly but functionally. The Brook Road Stand and covered sections on the Braemar Road side were erected during the 1920s and 1930s.

Wartime damage and post-war recovery

Griffin Park sustained damage during German bombing raids on London in the Second World War. Reconstruction followed after 1945 and Brentford FC gradually restored both capacity and facilities. Through the 1950s and 1960s the club moved up and down the lower reaches of the English football pyramid, but Griffin Park remained a firm anchor for the local community.

Record attendance and notable moments

1935 stands as one of Griffin Park's finest years: Brentford FC were competing in the prestigious First Division and the ground recorded its all-time record attendance of 38,678 for an FA Cup tie against Preston North End. In the modern era Griffin Park witnessed Brentford's extraordinary rise towards the Premier League, though the culminating play-off final in 2021 was played at Wembley; the semi-final legs that passed through the ground were among its last great occasions.

Final match and demolition

The last competitive fixture at Griffin Park took place on 22 July 2020, when Brentford lost 1-3 to Stoke City in front of an empty ground due to COVID-19 restrictions. After the move to Brentford Community Stadium Griffin Park was demolished and the site converted to a residential development. Crucially, the four corner pubs -- which predate the football use of the site -- were retained as part of the community.

Despite its modest capacity, the atmosphere at Griffin Park was renowned for its intimacy and warmth. A tight, compact ground enclosed on all sides by brick terraces and corner pubs created an acoustic environment that larger modern arenas cannot replicate.

The four corner pubs

The most celebrated feature of Griffin Park was its pub on each corner. The Royal Oak, The Princess Royal, The Griffin and The New Inn became symbols of matchday culture and drew attention from across the football world. Supporters and journalists alike would arrive hours before kick-off to enjoy the pubs, and post-match debate continued long into the evening. This ritual created a spontaneous community tradition impossible to find at purpose-built modern arenas.

Ealing Road End and Brook Road Stand

The Ealing Road End was the traditional home end, where the most vocal Brentford supporters -- known as 'The Bees' -- gathered. The tight proximity of the terracing to the pitch, characteristic of older English grounds, meant every shout and song was felt directly by the players. The Brook Road Stand offered seated views for visitors, while the standing sections maintained the old-school English matchday character that fans travelling from across Europe came specifically to experience.

A final season without supporters

The last season, 2019/20, ended with the painful conclusion that no supporters were present due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last league match on 22 July 2020 was played behind closed doors, with fans watching on television and sharing 116 years of memories of goals, emotions and pre-match pints at the corner pubs across social media.

Griffin Park in Brentford no longer exists as an active stadium -- it was demolished after 2020 and the site is now occupied by a residential development. Visitors interested in the historic site will still find several of the legendary corner pubs in the area.

How to reach the former stadium site

• Train: Brentford station (South Western Railway from London Waterloo or Vauxhall) is approximately 5 minutes on foot from the original Griffin Park site at the corner of Ealing Road and Braemar Road.
• Tube: The nearest Underground stations are South Ealing (Piccadilly line) and Gunnersbury (District line), both roughly 15-20 minutes on foot.
• Bus: Routes 195, 237 and E2 stop very close to Ealing Road.
• Car: On-street parking in the area is limited; public transport is recommended.

The corner pubs -- experience the history

Although the stadium is gone the four corner pubs survive. The Royal Oak (Braemar Road / New Road), The Princess Royal (Brook Road South / New Road), The Griffin (Ealing Road / Braemar Road) and The New Inn (Ealing Road / Brook Road South) remain open. Visiting all four on a single walk is a small pilgrimage through football history and takes under 15 minutes.

Brentford Community Stadium

Brentford FC now play at Brentford Community Stadium (also known as the Gtech Community Stadium), with a capacity of 17,250, located approximately 800 m south-west of the Griffin Park site. Match tickets are available via the official club website.

Visitor tips

• Memorial information: Information boards marking the history of Griffin Park have been installed at the redevelopment site.
• Best time to visit the pubs: A quiet Sunday morning or early afternoon allows unhurried conversation with locals and staff who remember matchdays.
• Related interest: Brentford FC's matchday exhibition at Gtech Community Stadium features historical material from the Griffin Park era.