Football is an opinion game and when things are going well, all the conversation tends to involve the relative merits of certain ‘star’ individual player(s). However, when things start to go wrong, the mode of thought invariably reverts to how well the ‘present’ manager is performing.
During the last 25 years (1978 onwards), Brentford has been fortunate enough to have been blessed with a number of good managers, starting with Bill Dodgin (Junior), who many older readers will remember as the man who guided the Bees to promotion from the old Fourth Division in 1977/78, right through to present incumbent Wally Downes.
Now in an exclusive poll, the Bee Hive invites you, the reader, to register your vote for who you think has best served the club over the period.
Apart from the afore mentioned Dodgin, Fred Callaghan had a turn in the managerial hot seat that was to last almost four years (1980-84), before renowned playing superstars Frank McLintock (1984-87) and Steve Perryman (1987-90) had spells trying to get Brentford promoted into the higher echelons of the Football League. 
After Perryman’s sudden departure, Brentford installed Phil Holder as manager, and it was he who guided the super Bees of 1991/92 into the Barclays First Division, finishing with six successive victories to clinch the old Third Division championship. This triumph followed a pretty successful first season in charge, which had resulted in an end of season play-off appearance.
It is fair to say that experienced ex-Chelsea defender, Dave Webb, brought a fair amount of acrimony to the club during his stay, especially towards the end of his reign, but how did you rate him as a man manager of players? 
Another candidate is the controversial figure of Ron Noades, who after taking over complete control of the club helped Brentford to gain promotion from the Nationwide Third Division at the first attempt, before helping the Bees consolidate in the higher division.
Finally and by no means least, will your vote go to the charismatic Steve Coppell, who was incredibly successful in his all too brief stay at Griffin Park, almost guiding the club back to the cherished land in his one season at Brentford, only to fall at the final hurdle after losing to Stoke City in last season’s play-off final?
So, the choice is entirely yours, register your vote now to ensure your voice is heard on the biggest debate surrounding Brentford football club this summer. Click here to register your vote!
Nb. The editor of The Bee Hive only had eight choices over the 25-year period and would like to make passing reference to Mickey Adams and Ray Lewington who both performed their managerial tasks with great distinction.
It was also felt that it was a little too early to judge current manager, Wally Downes, who has only had twelve months in charge, during which time there has been a considerable amount of upheaval both on and off the field. In summarising the editor feels that the best is still to come from the likeable Londoner.