June 2002
It's fair to say that Brentford FC's search for a new stadium site, a search which has been going on for over 20 years now, was not exactly helped over the years by the local Council. The attitude was, to describe it generously, indifferent. Which was not what would be hoped when dealing with such a unique and cherished community asset as BFC.

The need to have a new stadium became even greater through the years around the turn of the millenium. The formation of the Premier League shifted football's finances further towards to the top clubs, to the detriment of those clubs further down the league ladder. This, combined with the changes in the transfer market resulting from the Bosman decision, highlighted the need for alternative revenue streams. Due to the nature of the fine old stadium, it was deemed that such streams were not achieveable at Griffin Park, certainly not in the long-term anyway.

Those in charge of the club did not seem to be making significant progress, and relations between the club and the Council seemed to be at an all-time low. Bias set up the Stadium Action Group, to try and push things along. But it was soon clear that these efforts, while valuable, would probably prove ultimately fruitless without a change in attitude at Hounslow Civic Centre. Attempts to foster better relations did not seem to change things, so it was decided that there was only one way to go - through the ballot box. And we had the chance to take that route at the local elections on May 2nd 2002.

A Bee C - A future for Brentford in the Community - was set up by BIAS late in 2001, and registered as a political party. A manifesto was drawn up, literature produced, and there was a public launch at The Princess Royal public house, next to Griffin Park. 14 candidates were fielded across the borough, targeting those of the Borough's 20 wards which would offer the more realistic chances of capturing votes. It's fair to say that some Labour councillors thought that this was just a gimmick that would not serve any purpose, but they underestimated us. Though there did also appear to be an undercurrent of worry in some of their remarks.

In the weeks leading up to the elections, an impressive amount of hours were put in across the borough, delivering professional, colourful and informative leaflets spelling out what A Bee C was all about. There was also canvassing, hustings, and media publicity. Efforts were more intense in Brentford ward, as this represented the best chance of A Bee C winning a seat, although even here victory was thought improbable.The campaign was rounded off with the battlebus, an open-top bus bedecked with A Bee C posters, which toured the borough just prior to the elections.

The day arrived and the A Bee C team was at full pelt. Leafletting in Brentford began at 6:30am. Throughout the day, posters were put up around the borough, and commuters coming out of tube stations were urged to use their vote. All we could do now was turn up at Hounslow Civic Centre for the results. All the A Bee C candidates put up a creditable showing, and whilst none really threatened to win a seat, all could justifiably feel to have influenced the result and proved a point. However, in Brentford ward things went a little bit further. The looks on the faces of the Labour people betrayed them as worried, shocked, downbeat and unprepared for such a close vote. When they asked for a recount, we knew something was up.

This frayed the nerves of the A Bee C contingent, though it seemed that the coolest man in the place was A Bee C's candidate for Brentford, Luke Kirton. The result was finally announced at 3:30am, 21 hours after Luke and others had convened at his house for the first activity of the day! But boy was it worth the wait, as Luke had polled the 3rd highest number of votes, and therefore been duly elected as a Councillor for Brentford. The roar was as if Brentford had just scored a last-minute winner against QPR (here's hoping). Sheer delight abounded; all the hard work had paid off.

Of course, that was really just the start of the hard work. Luke has been tireless in building relations conducive to a brighter future for Brentford FC. The election victory brought a sea change in attitudes within the Council - since then they have been helpful and constructive. And they know that they have to stay that way, otherwise A Bee C will back, stronger than ever before.