BRENTFORD have taken the Premier League by storm since arriving in the big time in 2021.
Thomas Frank’s side finished 13th in their debut campaign and kicked on in their second season to claim ninth – above local rivals Fulham and Chelsea.
The West Londoners are loving life in their brand-new Gtech Community Stadium – especially as they completed the league double over champions Manchester City last term.
But the reason behind their ‘Bees’ nickname has left many people baffled.
The club are regularly referred to by their insect moniker, especially when they muster up stinging victories against the big boys.
However, Brentford got their Bees nickname thanks to a bizarre misheard chant.
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It is understood they picked up the unlikely tag in around 1894, just five years after the club’s formation.
A media report commented on a group of students from Borough Road College who attended matches and cheered on their friend Joe Gettins.
They would chant: “Buck up, Bs,” a reference to their school motto – with the ‘B’ a shortening for Brentford or probably Borough.
However, the report thought they were saying “bees”.
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And the label has stuck ever since, for nearly 130 years.
Brentford added the insect to its badge for the first time in 1973 for two years.
Then it returned in 1994 before playing a prominent role in the current edition.
However, there is a beehive on the 1971-72 badge – which some think could be a reference to The Beehive brewery near the club’s old Griffin Park stadium.
Others have suggested the Bees nickname came about as a result of a newspaper headline which read: “Busy Bees beat bewildered opponents by brisk and brilliant bombardments.”
Either way, the Bees are certainly enjoying the sweet nectar of life in the Premier League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
