Brentford can now compete with best, says Frank

BRENTFORD V FULHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL

THOMAS FRANK says it was the “dream from day one” to secure promotion to the Premier League, with just one game separating Brentford from reaching the top flight for the first time in over 70 years.

The Bees go into tonight’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Fulham as narrow favourites, having missed out on automatic promotion by just two points. Looking to end an absence from the top table of English football that stretches back to 1947, Frank has guided Brentford to their first Championship play-off final and to within touching distance of the riches of the Premier League.

A Wembley win on Tuesday could earn the club around £160m in additional revenue over the next three years according to sports financial analysts Deloitte. It is a mouthwatering prospect, but Frank is staying focused on the game itself.

“I think we’re in the playoff final, the best result or performance in the last 73 years in Brentford’s history,” said Frank, who joined the Bees in 2016 as assistant boss before taking over as head coach two years later.

“A lot of people have many, many years, and I’ve been on this journey for the last three-anda-half years. Brentford Football Club can now compete with the biggest clubs in the country, not in the Premier League, but some big, big clubs in the Championship and we were one or two points away from direct promotion.

“We came third, we overcame setbacks and we are now in the final against a much bigger club and we have a strong belief that it’s going to be an even game.

“We know that if we perform we’ve got a really good chance against another good side who create a lot.

“I’m so proud of being part of this and what we’ve created and we need to remember that.”

Brentford have already beaten west London rivals Fulham twice this season, 1-0 at Griffin Park in December and 2-0 at Craven Cottage in their first match back after the season had resumed in June.

The Bees have also topped the Championship scoring charts this season with a prolific front three of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins, while goalkeeper David Raya was joint winner of the Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets in the division.

Fulham’s top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic (hamstring) returns from injury.