During the 2000–01 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Second Division. Despite a mid-table season in the league, the club reached the 2001 Football League Trophy Final, which was lost 2–1 to Port Vale.

After a 1999–2000 season of consolidation back in the Second Division,Brentford chairman-manager Ron Noades spent conservatively in the off-season, acquiring only forward Mark McCammon, midfielder Eddie Hutchinson and defender Jay Lovett for monetary fees. Long-term injuries to full backs Ijah Anderson and Danny Boxall led Noades to sign Paul Gibbs on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle and a number of loanees to provide cover in defence. There was also change in the goalkeeping department, with Ólafur Gottskálksson and youngster Paul Smith coming in to replace out-of-favour Andy Woodman and the soon-to-retire Jason Pearcey.