Brentford

Brentford were founded in 1889 by members of a rowing club looking for a winter sport, and spent most of their history in the lower divisions after a brief 1930s peak that included a fifth-place First Division finish. Matthew Benham's ownership turned them into English football's model club, recruiting by data and selling at the top, and the 2021 play-off final win ended 74 years outside the top flight. The Gtech Community Stadium, near Kew Bridge, opened in 2020.

The method survived its biggest test in 2025/26. Thomas Frank left for Tottenham after nearly seven years, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa were sold for big fees, and set-piece coach Keith Andrews stepped up for his first job in management. Brentford signed Dango Ouattara for a club record £42.5m, Igor Thiago scored 22 league goals, and a ninth-place finish matched the club's best in the Premier League era, with Europe missed only on goal difference.