Bitter Rift Splits Brentford Rowing Community

Police involved after dispute over equipment at Ferry Quays boat house

Paul and Miranda Keane blamed a 'colossal workload' for their departure. Picture: Brentford TV

December 31, 2025

A major split has emerged in the Brentford rowing community following a dispute over ownership of equipment at the Ferry Quays boat house.

Brentford Boat Club members had been taking a well-earned festive break but discovered that, the day after Boxing Day, that boats and blades they use were no longer accessible.

Initially incorrectly reported on this site as a case of third-party theft, it has since emerged that Paul Keane, the founder of Team Keane, took possession of some boats and blades stored at the facility.

His right to do this has been challenged by members of the Brentford Boat Club and both sides have been in contact with the police who have yet to log any crime as being committed. Mr Keane had previously reported to the police the relocation of some of this equipment which he claims had been done without his consent as the owner. In addition, he says he has provided proof of ownership.

The rupture has caused dismay for many involved in rowing in the local area who were grateful for the efforts of all those involved in rowing at Ferry Quays. The arrival of Paul and Miranda Keane at what was a derelict site 15 years ago has reintroduced rowing to a part of the Thames from which it had largely disappeared. The plot was cleared and made ready for rowing with the help of volunteers and funds loaned by the Keanes. Their philosophy of inclusiveness brought the sport to many children who were not offered the opportunity at their schools and the formerly quiet stretch of the river became become a hive of early morning training sessions, junior squads, community learn to row groups and school partnerships.

At the end of 2023, the Brentford Boat Club was founded with the stated aim of ‘building on the legacy of Team Keane’ and enabling young rowers to participate in regattas which they have done so with much success. There are now over 90 young rowers training out of the Brentford Boat House making it one of the most dynamic junior programmes in London. In addition, learn-to-row courses were introduced for adults.

The young rowers painting the blades with the Brentford lion

The two operations initially worked in tandem, but a split appears to have emerged recently. On 22 December Paul Keane gave an interview to John Dale of Brentford TV at Ferry Quays in which he said that 'for our own emotional and physical reasons' due to the 'collosal workload' Team Keane was ceasing operations at the site. He said he was removing items relating to school activities which would be made available at other sites. However, he stated that most of school groups run by Team Keane would not continue with only a small number continuing off site. Miranda Keane said that she hoped, working with British Rowing, some of the school groups could resume in the summer.

Brentford Boat Club says that without access to the equipment, dozens of young rowers will be unable to prepare for races due to take place in the next few weeks. Mr Keane says that the equipment remains at Ferry Quays and that he is in discussion to make it available to rowers in the area through the sports governing body British Rowing. At issue seems to be a lack of clarity about which items are the personal property of Mr Keane and which belong to the charity formed to enable rowing in the area.

Brentford Boat Club members with their equipment a week before some of it was taken away

Brentford Boat Club say some of the items sequestered include blades that were purchased with a grant from the Rowing Foundation and painted with the Brentford Lion by the teenagers and their parents. Boats donated by adults who previously rowed at Ferry Quays were also allegedly removed from use.

In a statement Brentford Boat Club said, “To see the site ransacked and most of the equipment gone including previous boat donations from charities and private individuals is heartbreaking for the young people. And puts all their hard work and training in jeopardy.”

The committee and coaches added, ‘No matter what happens the children will continue to train. We will come out of this stronger than ever. Our next race is at Hampton in three weeks, and even if we have to race in a dug-out canoe, we will be there!’

Brentford Boat Club says it has been supported by other clubs on the Thames Tideway who have offered to lend boats and other equipment.