Hello NYC Bees, we're back into the swing of things now! Here are some bits of news, media hits and information as we gear up for September!
We have a two-week break because of the international football window, but we'll resume our Premier League slate starting on Sept. 14 at the defending champions, Manchester City. All three September league matches kick off at 10 a.m. ET. When the team confirms specifics, there also might be an opportunity to get together to watch Brentford's third-round Carabao Cup action against Leyton Orient in mid-September, if there's interest. See the graphic for the full schedule this month at The Red Lion, 151 Bleecker St.
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We're stepping things up a bit already in the media space! I had the privilege to join BBC Sports live for their Sunday Sportsworld program in the minutes leading up toward Brentford's kickoff against Liverpool on Aug. 25. It was part of a new panel segment, so I had the chance to drum up the Brentford side of things just before our watch at The Red Lion. Sunday games are few and far between for Brentford, but when this timing works out in the future, BBC Sports will likely invite us back for this. It was good to get this one in the books (they reach about 40 million people globally per week), and the producer was incredibly complimentary on how our 15-minute segment went. If you're interested and would like to get involved, please let me know! The show is broadcast live via BBC World Service.
Toney headed to Saudi Arabia: The Ivan Toney saga has finally come to a close. The England striker is joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Hali, with Brentford receiving a reported £40 million transfer fee. Toney had not featured for the Bees this season and missed a large part of the 2023-24 campaign serving a suspension for breaching The FA's football betting rules. While Toney did play a highly crucial role in Brentford's promotion, and he contributed a 20-goal season en route to a ninth-place finish in 2022-23, the drama over the past year and various off-field commentary/behavior tended to cloud things during his tenure. We wish him the best, and we thank him for his massive role in the club, but this was not the next chapter (nor sendoff) that we wanted to see for a player who still has plenty of high-level football in him.
Club makes signing splash: After an incredibly quiet summer, Brentford made a handful of significant signings throughout the final few weeks of August. The most noteworthy additions are a pair of 22-year-old former Liverpool players: defender Sepp van den Berg and midfielder Fabio Carvalho. Both impressed during their respective loan spells. Van den Berg established himself as one of the top German Bundesliga center backs at Mainz 05, and Carvalho showcased his goal-scoring prowess at Hull City, earning an EFL Young Player of the Month honor during his 2024 stint. Both players signed five-year contracts with the Bees. Brazilian 18-year-old forward Gustavo Nunes and England youth international and 18-year-old left back Jayden Meghoma were also among Brentford's signings in the transfer window.
Bees off to best Premier League start: Three games don't make a season, but Brentford supporters have to savor the fact that the club is off to its best start in the Premier League. With six points through three matches, the Bees were sitting in fifth place in the table after Saturday's 3-1 victory against Southampton (now in sixth place after Sunday's completed matches). By comparison, it took Brentford four games to reach six points in 2023-24, and five games to hit that points total in 2022-23. We're on the upswing!
Quick hits: The Brentford Women posted their biggest win ever, dominating North Leigh 18-1 in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Sunday. Three different players scored four goals: Ashley Cheatley, Chloe Logie and Nikki Woods. ... Led by a Keane Lewis-Potter goal and a late Hakon Valdimarsson penalty kick save, Brentford edged Colchester United 1-0 in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Aug. 28. ... Among other Brentford player news, midfielder Frank Onyeka has joined Bundesliga side Augsburg on a season-long loan to get him some minutes. ... Midfielder Myles Peart-Harris is going to play for Championship side Swansea City for 2024-25, on a loan. ... Earlier in August, defender Zanka signed with Anderlecht of the Belgian Pro League. ... The 10th Premier League Mornings Live Fan Fest is going on from Sept. 21-22 in Lincoln Park, in Chicago. If you're interested in attending, register here.
Suggestions, Comments, Feedback
If you ever have any thoughts, feel free to email (brentfordnyc@gmail.com) or chat with me anytime! #COYB!
Charlie
Could you possibly mention Tim's Across The Seas but Forever Bees podcast as we re always looking for US based guests to come on the show each week. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment: I might consider adding links to the main podcasts as a permanent footer to future newsletters; we'll leave the booking duties in Tim's and Greville's corner. We've had NYC Bees or guests in New York City who have appeared on their show approximately 10 times over the past few seasons, and will continue to promote those moments -- offline, I do ask around for any potential guests!
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