The last ever competitive game was played at Griffin Park last night, it has been the home of Brentford FC since 1904 and my family home aside, the single venue I have spent the most time in and around and it holds so many memories for me, many happy, some sad, all unforgettable . What a special place it has been, especially under the floodlights and with a sound all of its own, I can't explain that, but pre kick off GP sounds like no other ground and I cannot believe I am not going to see or hear the old place again. 

 

I have been following the Bees since boyhood after being first taken by my Great Uncle who has long since passed and he first visited Griffin Park in the 1920's so a long family association with the club and ground. My two daughters are both season ticket holders and will carry on the tradition, but for their children it will be at Lionel Road, the brand new home of the Bees and whilst the move has to be made and I accept that GP is no longer fit for purpose, that still fills me with sadness. My family all attended the last game played before lockdown and it was a 5-0 win which was amazing , but we did not know it was going to be the final game ever that we could attend and there was no opportunity to say our goodbyes. To remember my uncle and have thoughts of my brother, also a Bees supporter, who has been missing for 17 years and who I always expected/hoped would turn up again one day on New Road which is where we all sit, that cannot happen now. It is the end of an era, the 3-1 win over Swansea City which took the Bees into next week's playoff final feels like a fitting conclusion , but without the proper farewell we were all wanting.

 

The new stadium is great and doubtless someone will write with similar fondness/memories of Lionel Road in the future, I am certain I will grow to love it too, but it will never be Griffin Park.