THE STARK reality facing troubled Brentford FC was exposed at a public meeting this week, in front of hundreds of residents concerned about the club's future.

Residents and supporters alike gathered at the Brentford School for Girls on Tuesday night to hear owner Ron Noades and council officers outline the two possible options.

The first, which Hounslow Council strongly favours, is to redevelop the current Griffin Park site, where the Bees have played since 1904, as a new stadium.

It is highly unlikely, however, that Brentford FC would build a new stadium there. The club is in severe financial difficulties, arising in part from disappointing attendance this season, and aside from the problems they would have funding a new arena on that site, the physical constraints of being hemmed in on all sides by housing would still apply.

The second option, which the football club favours, is to sell Griffin Park for residential redevelopment, with Brentford FC using that income to fund a new stadium elsewhere in the borough.

They have already submitted a planning application to the council for 45 houses and 92 flats, as well as some open space, which is due to go before area committee on April 16th.

According to Paul Stedman, member of the Brentford Independent Association of Supporters (BIAS), the general feeling at Tuesday's meeting was that residents did not want the Bees to move away from Griffin Park.

He told the Times: There was a very good turnout for the meeting, a couple of hundred people, mostly residents with a smattering of us Brentford fans.

No-one said a bad word about the club. People were saying that, even though they weren't supporters, they liked having Brentford FC as neighbours and wanted to keep them at Griffin Park.

From the club, Ron Noades said that he was touched that residents should regard the club so highly. But he outlined the economic realities of the situation - that the only way for Brentford FC to survive is to sell the stadium and look for a new site.''

The amount of affordable housing there should be in a residential development was the cause of some debate. The council planners talked of around 50 per cent, but the club obviously want to raise as much money as possible,'' said Mr Stedman.

But apparently there is no shortage of affordable housing already in Brentford.''

On Option One in the planning brief, for a new stadium, he added: A spokesman for the club said that realistically there is no way that Brentford FC will build a new stadium on that site. Firstly, where would the money come from? Secondly, the ground would still be surrounded by houses.''

Some concern was raised over the traffic issues surrounding a residential development. It was feared that the underground car park outlined in the planning application, which would have an entrance onto New Road, would cause too much congestion in a narrow street.

Chairing the meeting was Brentford Clifden councillor Ruth Cadbury (Labour), who told the Times afterwards: The meeting went very well. I think all the locals got a feel for the situation the club is in, and the details of the planning application the council now has to deal with.

It was generally very constructive and I was glad to hear the views of the residents and supporters alike.

What came over strongly is that people feel the club is a good neighbour and residents value it being at Griffin Park. It isn't seen as a nuisance.''

She added: If it is at all possible, then as a local councillor I would like to see them stay there, in terms of the value it provides to the community. They have been very considerate.

We are hoping that Hounslow Council can now work with the club to find a solution. We want to have a constructive dialogue and help them plan for the future.''

The club's financial plight centres around the low gates this season. Griffin Park has a capacity of 12,763, yet the average attendance for home matches is just 6,500.

Last Saturday's 2-1 victory over Notts County, which lifted them to third in the Nationwide Second Division was seen by 5,367 people. They are now placed fifth, however, after losing 3-2 away to Oldham on Tuesday night.

With the club estimating that it needs to attract 10,000 a match just to break even, it is clear the current situation cannot go on for much longer.

The land would be a prime location for flats and houses. Griffin Park is situated within easy reach of the town centre, St Paul's recreation ground, Waterman's Arts Centre and Brentford Library.

The council's view is laid out in the draft planning brief which is being used for consultation. It states: Ideally, the objectives for the site are to endorse its continued use as a sports stadium which will continue to fulfil a strong community role within Brentford.

It is imperative that the quality of life for adjoining residents is not made worse by a new stadium In addition, an alternative will only be considered if an alternative site is agreed and a new stadium constructed.''

It adds: However, football has changed beyond recognition since Brentford first came to the site. Although it is still considered to be an important community asset... it also has to be recognised that football is big business' and needs to make a commercial return to function as a club.

In the event that the council are satisfied that the site cannot adapt to the changing needs of spectator sports in the future, taking account of the potential impact on adjoining residents, the second option [for residential redevelopment of Griffin Park] applies.''

Results of the public consultation are due on March 8th. The meeting of the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee on April 16th will meet at Isleworth Public Hall.