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      Inside abandoned stadium of Premier League club which was only ground to have a pub on each corner but now lies in ruins

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      GRIFFIN PARK was until recently one of the most vibrant stadiums in the Football League.Despite its meagre capacity of 12,764, the stadium was iconic for the fact it was the only English stadium to have a pub on every corner of the ground.
      Brentfod fans celebrate outside Griffin Park during the coronavirus pandemic.Credit: Getty
      Demolition begins at Griffin Park.Credit: Rex
      Griffin Park in its abandoned state.Credit: Rex
      But since Brentford made the move to the Gtech Community Stadium in September 2020, their spiritual home has been left in a state of ruin.
      All that remains now are the corners of some stands which are covered in weeds.
      The stadium was home to Brentford since 1904, when it was acquired as an orchard from Fuller’s brewing company.
      A team of volunteers cut down the trees in order to make room for the Bees’ former home, in exchange for being able to keep the wood.
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      True to its reputation of being the only ground with a pub on every corner, the name of Griffin Park was inspired by one of the corner pubs named ‘The Griffin’.
      The others were: The Princess Royal, The New Inn and The Brook.
      The stadium was built with a 20,000 seater capacity in mind, alongside hopes that it could be increased to 30,000.
      However for much of Brentford’s early history, the ‘stadium’ consisted of one grandstand.
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      It wasn’t until Brentford’s debut season in the first division in 1935-36 that the ground finally had four stands.
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      In the 1980s Griffin Park began taking the shape it would until its closure, with seated stands nestled between the four pubs.
      For much of Brentford’s history, their lower league status did not necessitate improvement, which led to Griffin Park having an old-school look.
      Speculation around moving away from their home began around 2002, but it wasn’t until current owner Matthew Benham became involved with the club that plans to move accelerated.
      Benham made his money in finance before moving to sports betting in 2001, which enabled him to make his millions.
      He implemented a gambling model alongside former business partner and now Brighton owner Tony Bloom which allowed their company to predict matches more accurately than the bookies.
      After the club fell into financial trouble under former owner Ron Noades, Benham began investing in the club as a ‘mystery investor’ in 2003.
      Demolition in progress at Griffin Park.Credit: Rex
      One of the club’s famous former entrances.Credit: Rex
      Benham gradually expanded his control over the Bees’ by agreeing to take on their loans before becoming the full owner of the club in 2012.
      The club earned promotion to The Championship in 2014 and final approval for the building of the Gtech Community Stadium was granted in September 2016.
      With the club flirting with promotion to the Premier League both in the 2014-15 season and 2018-19, questions were asked as to whether Griffin Park could safely be used in England’s top tier.
      The club were expected to apply for special dispensation to remain at Griffin Park while construction on the Gtech was completed.
      Much to the frustration of Brentford fans, they were unable to say goodbye to the ground due to the final season at Griffin Park being played during the Covid-impacted 2020-21 season.
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      The club earned planning permission to build 75 family homes on the site of Griffin Park, alongside a centrepiece garden that would pay tribute to their former home.
      But in a recent photo, its clear to see that building has not begun and all that remains are crumbling stands.
      The stadium in its heyday.Credit: Getty
      Griffin Park is now derelict.Credit: Rex
      The current remains of Griffin Park.Credit: Rex More

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      Wales wait on news of Luton star Tom Lockyer after horror collapse in Championship play-off final

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      WALES remain in the dark over the cause of Tom Lockyer’s shock collapse in the Championship play-off final.The Luton captain, 28, remains in hospital after he was carried off on a stretcher just eight minutes into the Wembley penalty shootout triumph over Coventry last Saturday to reach the Premier League.
      Tom Lockyer celebrated Luton’s promotion to the Premier League from a hospital bed after he collapsed on the Wembley pitch against Coventry last SaturdayCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Lockyer remains in hospital where he has been undergoing testsCredit:
      Dragons boss Robert Page had a 20-minute phone conversation on Monday but has opted not to select the 14-cap centre-back for the Euro 2024 double-header against Armenia and Turkey next month.
      Lockyer is expected to have further tests to determine the reason for the collapse and if he gets the green light then Page says he would ‘absolutely’ call him up to add to his 25-man squad.
      Page said: “Nobody has established what the problem is with Tom. I can’t speculate. He’s ok at the minute.
      “You don’t like to see any player go down injured and because of how he went down, you do wonder what the reasons were.
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      “It would be silly of me to even suggest what those reasons were. It’s for Luton to make a statement with regards to what they are doing.
      “We will just have to wait and see what they come up with. There will be further investigations to see what’s going on. Our medical team will be in contact with Luton.
      “You are always going to phone your players and show them support. We had a great conversation. He’s frustrated and disappointed.
      “As soon as he’s fit again he will be back involved. The most important thing is his health.”
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      Luton captain Lockyer was denied the chance of walking up the Wembley steps to lift the Championship play-off trophyCredit: PA
      Page says he was ‘gutted’ for Lockyer, who missed out on the chance of walking up the Wembley steps and lifting the play-off trophy.
      The Wales chief had the honour of leading Watford to the Prem through the play-offs during his playing days and added: “I was lucky to do it in 1999 with Watford – that was incredible.
      “I am gutted for him and his family. He more than anybody deserved to walk those steps and lift that trophy.
      “But I still believe there will be more moments like that for him in his career. Knowing Tom he will bounce back.
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      “He’s had an incredible season so he was going to be in my plans. Would they have got promoted without him? Probably not because he’s been that key to their performances.”
      Wales, who picked up four points from their opening two qualifiers in March, travel to Portugal for a warm weather training camp on June 8.
      Then the Dragons host Armenia in Cardiff on June 16 followed by a trip to Turkey three days later.
      David Brooks is back in the Wales squad after returning to football following a cancer diagnosis on international duty in October 2021Credit: Alamy
      Page has recalled Bournemouth’s David Brooks for the first time since his successful battle against cancer.
      The Wales boss said: “I wanted to pick him in March. He played some minutes before that camp and I wanted to get him involved as soon as possible.
      “I get that it was too quick, too soon and it was more beneficial for him to stay behind and play for Bournemouth Under-23s in a game that was organised for him.
      “Now it’s a different situation. He’s back fit and starting games in the Premier League. He’s the quality to be in our plans moving forward. I’ve touched base with him by text and he can’t wait to meet up.
      “He’s going to have to be patient. Is he going to start two games in June? Probably not. He might have some cameo roles.”
      Neco Williams is included despite fracturing his jaw for Nottingham Forest in April while captain Aaron Ramsey expects to be fit following a minor calf injury.
      Page added: “Aaron has played more football this season than he has done for the last few years. The little niggle, and that’s all it is, has probably come at a good time for him.
      “He’s at an age now where he knows his body and how to manage it. He’s got one eye on these two games and it is not an issue.
      “I know he’s enjoying his football in Nice. He’s played quite a few games and there are worse places in the world to live and life’s good for him.”
      Wales squad
      Hennessey, Ward, A Davies
      Rodon, Cabango, Mepham, Low, Roberts, Fox, Williams, B Davies, Ampadu
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      Morrell, J James, Ramsey, Wilson, Broadhead, Cooper, Harris
      Johnson, Moore, Bradshaw, D James, Brooks, Cullen More

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      Saudi Prince bought Premier League club for £1… now it’s worth £75MILLION just a decade later

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      NEWCASTLE won’t be the only Premier League side backed by Saudi investment next season after Sheffield United gained promotion from the Championship.The Blades have been part-owned by Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Musaid Al Saud since 2013 when he bought a stake in the club for just £1.
      Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at BramallLaneCredit: Rex
      The Sheffield club had run into financial issues that season which forced former owner Kevin McCabe to sell 50% of the club to the Prince – with the expectation the two would then sell their shares to a third party.
      The prince refused to sell however, leading to a bitter legal dispute between him and McCabe.
      Prince Abdullah ultimately won the legal battle, with the high court finding he was the sole owner of the club in September 2019.
      He was able to buy McCabe’s remaining shares for just £5m.
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      Since then, Prince Abdullah’s shares have risen in estimated value to £75m.
      His ownership has been shrouded in controversy throughout, with the EFL only lifting a transfer embargo on the club last month after the club defaulted on transfer payments.
      Despite promotion to the Premier League, Prince Abdullah says he still plans to sell the club, with US investment firm 777 partners rumoured to be interested in a takeover.
      When the prince became involved with Sheffield United at the beginning of the 2013-14 season, Sheffield United were coming off the back of two years in League One.
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      They went on to gain promotion to the Championship in 2017, before earning promotion to the Premier League in 2019.
      They enjoyed a successful first Premier League season under Chris Wilder, finishing ninth.
      Their sophomore year was miserable, however, with the club relegated having spent the season rooted to the bottom of the table.
      They have bounced back impressively since relegation, making the play-offs last season before gaining automatic promotion back to the Premier League this year.
      Since becoming majority owner in 2019, the prince has not been afraid to splash the cash.
      Ahead of their 2019-20 Premier League season, United brought in Sander Berge from Genk for a then club-record £20m and Oliver McBurnie for £17.5 million.
      Buoyed by their ninth place finish that season, they went on to bring in Rhian Brewster from Liverpool for a club record £23.5 million and Arsenal-ace Aaron Ramsdale for £18.5 million.
      But since relegation to the Championship, the Blades have had to be savvy in the market, unearthing gems like Iliman Ndiaye.
      Ndiaye shone in The Championship this season scoring 15 and assisting 12 goals in his 52 appearances for The Blades.
      He also made his World Cup debut for Senegal despite the fact he’d been playing Sunday league football as recently as 2019.
      The Blades’ financial issues mean they have relied largely on loans and free transfers of late.
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      Prince Abdullah has said he wants to sell the club soon, saying to TalkSPORT: “To sell is my intention but nothing is guaranteed.
      “I’m not going to sell to just anybody. I care about who owns the club next.” More

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      Coventry condemn racist abuse of Fankaty Dabo as they release him just days after play-off penalty shootout miss

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      COVENTRY have condemned racist abuse aimed at Fankaty Dabo following his play-off penalty miss.That’s after confirming the defender’s exit when his contract expires this summer.
      Coventry have slammed racist abuse aimed at Fankaty Dabo after his play-off penalty missCredit: Rex
      Coventry have also confirmed Dabo will leave when his contract expires this summerCredit: Rex
      Dabo, 27, missed Coventry’s sixth penalty in their dramatic shootout defeat to Luton at Wembley, leaving them stranded in the Championship for another season.
      The former Chelsea academy star was devastated as he blazed his effort over the crossbar.
      And Coventry have now hit out at sick trolls who sent disgusting racist abuse to Dabo in the wake of his miss, vowing to give the fan favourite their full support despite his impending exit.
      A statement read: “Coventry City is sickened and saddened following the racist messages sent to Fankaty Dabo on social media following Saturday’s Play-Off final.
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      “The messages sent by some individuals to Fanktay are abhorrent. We are clear that there is no place for racism in our society and that the Club and our partners will provide all of the support to Fanky that he needs.
      “The Club will work with the PFA, EFL and the Police regarding this matter, and will seek to ban and prosecute any person found to have sent racist messages.
      “Many Sky Blues supporters sent supportive messages to Fanky following the game and we thank them for doing so.”
      Owner and Executive Chairman Doug King added: “The messages sent to Fankaty were disgusting and there is no place for any person who sent such vile abuse at any of our games, and social media is not a hiding place to make these comments.
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      “The Club and our partners will support Fankaty, and we will not hesitate in taking action against those people found to have done this.
      “Coventry is a tolerant and multi-cultural city that we are proud to represent, and there is no place for any form of racism or discrimination in person or on social media.”
      Meanwhile, Coventry also confirmed that Dabo is one of seven first-teamers who will leave this summer when their contracts expire.
      Julien Dacosta, Todd Kane, Sean Maguire, Michael Rose, Martyn Waghorn and Tyler Walker are also leaving.
      Loanees Jonathan Panzo, Callum Doyle, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Luke McNally are also going.
      But captain Liam Kelly has been offered a new one-year contract to prevent his departure on a free transfer. More

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      Dave Kidd: Nobody should be laughing at Luton… Man City going to Kenilworth Road is what makes English football great

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      LUTON TOWN’S chief executive Gary Sweet has just presided over a phenomenal piece of sporting sorcery, so he clearly doesn’t get much wrong.But the newest arrival at the Premier League’s top table made one mistake before the Hatters won the Championship play-off final and became the first club to complete the journey from the English top flight to non-league football and back again.
      Fans flocked to the streets for Luton’s promotion paradeCredit: EPA
      Luton completed their miraculous climb from non-league to the Premier League with victory over CoventryCredit: Getty
      Sweet said he was ‘annoyed’ about the apparent widespread mockery of Luton’s Kenilworth Road home.
      You know, the one where you enter the away end between two terraced houses and look down over a row of Coronation Street-style backyards as you go to the seats with barely enough legroom to accommodate a mob of oompa-loompa ultras.
      I went there last season. You can’t sit down.
      You can see the neighbouring washing lines but you can’t see much of the pitch. It was brilliant.
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      That isn’t sneering laughter Sweet is hearing — it’s joy, admiration and respect. It’s wonderment at the nature of the English football pyramid.
      It’s nostalgia for a time when many top-flight grounds were hemmed in by modest working-class homes and were literally a part of their communities.
      It’s amazement that matches from Kenilworth Road will be beamed across the planet from our supposedly shiny, sanitised ‘greed-is-good’ league.
      If there is any laughter at all, then it’s aimed at the Big Six, who signed up for a breakaway European Super League, thinking they were too big and important to play the likes of Luton, but will be getting their eardrums battered there next season.
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      Sweet noted that Erling Haaland won’t be entering Kenilworth Road through that away supporters entrance, but through ‘the other s**t entrance we have’. And, seeing as he mentioned Manchester City’s goal machine, let’s compare and contrast their two clubs.
      Well in 2008, Sheikh Mansour took over City just as Luton, who were about to start a League Two campaign with a 30-point deduction, were installing their new chairman — former Good Morning Britain presenter Nick Owen.
      Mansour, it’s safe to say, never shared a sofa with Roland Rat while wearing a wide range of pastel knitwear. But neither was he a lifelong fan of his club, like Owen is.
      You can see the neighbouring washing lines but you can’t see much of the pitch. It was brilliant.Dave Kidd
      Back in 2008, though, Luton had won a major trophy — the League Cup — only 20 years previously. City had been waiting for 12 years longer.
      And in 1983, Raddy Antic scored a dramatic final-day winner at Maine Road to save the Hatters, and relegate City from the top flight, provoking boss David Pleat to cavort across the pitch in a beige suit.
      These two clubs are part of the same ecosystem and next season they will compete at the same level again — just nine years after Luton played non-league football against Hyde United and Alfreton Town.
      City have won five titles in six years but their supporters might feel a hint of envy when they face Luton.
      Their filthy-rich club may have trophies galore but Luton have authenticity and soul. They are owned and run by genuine supporters, like Sweet and Owen, who stepped down as chairman in 2017.
      Kenilworth Road will be a shock to away Premier League players and fans next seasonCredit: Reuters
      There are no concerns about sports-washing or human-rights abuses or FFP breaches. Luton’s squad cost £5.5million in transfer fees and their wage bill was one of the smallest in the Championship.
      When they beat Coventry at Wembley on Saturday, the human interest stories were numerous.
      Captain Tom Lockyer watching the penalty shootout from hospital after collapsing on the pitch.
      Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu ‘completing football’ having risen from the National League with the club.
      Manager Rob Edwards, churned out of the great Watford managerial sausage machine after just 11 matches, achieving promotion with their most bitter rivals. And club legend Mick Harford — a lovely bloke, miscast as an old-school hardman and currently suffering from prostate cancer — dissolving into tears after promotion was clinched.
      But while Luton’s story is unique, it is only just about unique.
      Coventry have survived ruinous ownership and homelessness to fight back from the fourth tier to the brink of the Premier League.
      It’s amazement that matches from Kenilworth Road will be beamed across the planet from our supposedly shiny, sanitised ‘greed-is-good’ league.Dave Kidd
      And next season, Luton will face Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham, who have all flirted with relegation to non-league football since the Premier League was founded.
      They will also face Brentford, whose marvellous relic of an old ground Griffin Park, with a pub on all four corners, only missed out on staging top-flight football by one season.
      There are limits to what can be achieved. Luton will not be fighting City for the title but then the Bees have just completed a league double over the Treble-hunters.
      Brilliantly-run clubs can still thrive, supporters can still dream, Sweet can rub shoulders with the Sheikhs of east Manchester and Geordie Arabia.
      Luton intend to move to a new stadium before long and, while that makes sense, their departure from Kenilworth Road will be a sad day.
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      In the meantime, Sweet doesn’t need any chip on his shoulder regarding his club’s historic home.
      Nobody is laughing at Luton. But plenty of us are smiling with them. More

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      Barnsley 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1: Josh Windass heads in dramatic late winner as Owls seal Championship return in final

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      JOSH WINDASS followed in the footsteps of his dad Dean to become a Wembley play-off hero after shooting Sheffield Wednesday into the Championship.The midfielder clinched victory with a 123rd-minute diving header to break 10-man Barnsley’s hearts — after getting on the end of Lee Gregory’s cross.
      Sheffield Wednesday are back in the Championship after a 1-0 playoff final win over BarnsleyCredit: Rex
      Darren Moore followed up the Peterborough comeback with a stunning promotion winCredit: Getty
      Josh Windass scored a dramatic 123rd minute winner at WembleyCredit: Getty
      Windass’ dramatic winner sparked wild celebrations from the OwlsCredit: Getty
      Club legend Barry Bannan was overcome with emotion at the final whistleCredit: Getty
      It comes 15 years after dad Windass Snr, 54, scored Hull’s winner against Bristol City to seal promotion to the Premier League.
      Windass, 29, was embraced on the pitch at the end by his old man before he climbed the Wembley steps to hold aloft the League One play-off trophy.
      And his proud dad said: “It’s incredible, absolutely incredible. I told him before the game he’d get the winner. I can’t believe he actually headed it. Wow.
      “I’m the proudest man in the world. I have no words. 
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      “I can’t believe it. He loves his football and has sacrificed his life for it since he was two years old.”
      There were just FIVE SECONDS left of the three allotted three minutes of stoppages ref Tim Robinson had added.
      For Wednesday, it was another glorious moment in their illustrious 155-year history as they returned to the Championship.
      They had laboured against the 10 men of Barnsley after Adam Phillips was sent off four minutes into the second half and were lucky not to concede a penalty after Gregory hacked down Liam Kitching.
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      Windass headed home with the last touch of the League One play-off final against BarnsleyCredit: Getty
      Wednesday fans were over the moon as they narrowly avoided a dreaded penalty shootoutCredit: PA
      Windass’ teammates were delighted to have secured a return to the second tierCredit: Getty
      Windass will got down in the history books at WednesdayCredit: Reuters
      Lee Gregory fell to his knees as the whistle blewCredit: Reuters
      But they came up with a moment of quality when it mattered most.
      Yet, for Michael Duff’s side, it was cruel. They were the better team, should have had that spot kick and not been reduced to 10 men.
      But Wednesday deserved promotion. Their 96 points would have normally been enough to go up automatically — but for the brilliance of champions Plymouth and runners-up Ipswich.
      And then to overcome a 4-0 deficit against Peterborough after their semi-final play-off first leg to go on to win promotion is the stuff of fairytales.
      Boss Darren Moore said: “It goes to show the impossible can be achieved with great belief, understanding, it’s a fairytale story.
      “I’m pleased for this club because we can now prepare for the Championship with the huge fan base we’ve got so we make the right decisions internally to compete and be successful.
      “This is a special and delightful moment to help this club back up. It shows when everyone comes together what can be achieved. It’s been a long journey but one that was worthwhile.”
      But you have to feel for Barnsley. All the EFL play-off finals had the benefit of VAR — but you must wonder what is the point when they cannot spot obvious mistakes.
      It was heartache for Barnley at the final whistleCredit: Getty
      Fans couldn’t believe the dramatic late blowCredit: PA
      Barnsley will be spending another season in League OneCredit: Rex
      Wednesday toasted their accomplishment by lifting the playoff final trophyCredit: Rex
      Manager Moore will be hoping to prevent instant relegation next seasonCredit: Rex
      The penalty incident, in particular, was baffling. 
      Barnsley boss Michael Duff groaned: “It’s a cruel game.
      “I’ve had enough messages on my phone to tell me the decisions were wrong. I spoke to Jobi Morris and Clinton Morrison at half time and they both said it was a penalty and not a red card.
      “That adds to the frustration. I thought the red card was a booking, there was no malice or intent.  
      “And we’ve also not had a penalty all season and to not get one in the biggest game of all is a bug bear. You would’ve thought VAR would eradicate these things.
      ‘I thought we would’ve grown stronger with 10 men. It was their players who were going down with cramp.
      “There were a lot of tears. They are a young group and sometimes you must learn the hard way.”
      Kitching deflected a Nicky Cadden volley on to the bar with his head for Barnsley while Wednesday keeper Cameron Dawson made top stops from Cadden and James Norwood.
      Tykes keeper Harry Isted produced superb saves to keep out Dominic Iorfa and Bannan.
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      But Luca Connell missed a sitter for Barnsley just six yards out before Will Vaulks thought he had won it for Wednesday before celebrations were ended by an offside flag.
      Then came the Windass show … and Wednesday are back in the Championship. More

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      Huddersfield want to bring back boss Neil Warnock, 74, as they reveal back-up option if he decides to retire again

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      HUDDERSFIELD want to bring back boss Neil Warnock — but the veteran will consult his family first.Owner-in-waiting Kevin Nagle admires the way Warnock, 74, helped Terriers stay in the Championship.
      Neil Warnock did a brilliant job to keep Huddersfield upCredit: Getty
      But the far-travelled manager had a health scare that prompted him to cancel dates on his personal tour.
      If Warnock is ruled out, Huddersfield will go for Barnsley’s Michael Duff.
      The Tykes take on Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow in the League One play-off final.
      Warnock was given a guard of honour by his own players after keeping Huddersfield up.
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      Chatting to SunSport’s Justin Allen last month, Warnock revealed what makes the likes of Pep Guardiola successful.
      He said: “It used to be the fashion to have older managers and then the trend moved to younger coaches.
      “They talk about tactics, formations and what have you — yet 95 percent of this job is and always will be man-management.
      “Pep Guardiola knows what he’s doing but the biggest thing he does is get the players to believe in what he says. That’s why he’s successful.”
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      On the trend of experienced bosses getting the chop mid-season, he added: “You just need an older head sometimes. I look at some of the decisions clubs make and who they’ve appointed as a caretaker.
      “I’m thinking ‘This is silly.’ Anyone who has a clue about football knows it’s not going to be a success. It baffles me.
      “That’s why there’ll always be a job for me every February, March and April if I keep my health.” More

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      Premier League new boys target transfer for Nottingham Forest outcast who’s playing on loan under Wayne Rooney

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST outcast Lewis O’Brien is back on the radar of Premier League new boys Sheffield United.The Blades were keen on landing the midfield dynamo in January’s window but were unable to sign players due to a transfer embargo.
      Sheffield United want to sign O’Brien from Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      O’Brien, 24, currently on loan at Wayne Rooney’s DC United in the MLS, is likely to be surplus to requirements again when he returns to Forest in July.
      They would consider a loan or permanent deal — with the only snag being whether to deal with a direct rival.
      Blades manager Paul Heckingbottom has a reduced transfer budget despite promotion back to the top flight.
      Saudi owner Prince Abdullah is trying to bolster his kitty by getting additional financial backing from allies in the Middle East.
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      O’Brien signed for Nottingham Forest in a £10million transfer from Huddersfield last summer.
      The midfielder made 15 appearances during his first five months at the City Ground before falling out of favour with Steve Cooper.
      He joined MLS side DC United on a four-month loan in March and has since registered one goal and one assist in 10 games.
      O’Brien was quick to praise Rooney upon his arrival in Washington.
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      He told DC United’s official website: “It’s massive, if you look back at my career I’ve played against him a few times as well.
      “We’ve had a few jokes about it. I know people that he’s managed previously back at Derby and stuff and it’s a perfect opportunity for me.
      “He played in a similar position that I play in and I think he’s going to make everyone he coaches a much better footballer.”
      Three MLS clubs – not including DC United – have expressed an interest in signing O’Brien in recent months.
      New York City, Columbus Crew and Atlanta United were keen on the prospect of signing him earlier this year. More