Despite what some of you may think, the life of a Brentford columnist is not all fast cars, loose women and champagne breakfasts.

The perks that come with the job are, I’m sad to report, few and far between. However, things were different this week as I was afforded a peek inside Brentford’s corridors of power.

I headed to the Bees training ground, with my colleague Stuart Amos, to record the first Ealing (Road) Comedies podcast of the season with Andy Scott.

Stuart and I enjoyed 30 minutes in the gaffer’s office, during which time he covered many topics, including the successful season just gone, his great affection for Gillingham boss Mark Stimson and his ambitions for the future.

Perhaps from a supporter’s point of view, the most interesting aspect was Scott’s explanation for signing his new contract.

Bees fans could be forgiven for worrying that his switch from a long-term five-year deal to a one-year rolling contract is the pre-cursor to a quick getaway but, thankfully, he laid some of those fears to rest.

According to Scotty, the old contract was hastily arranged and would not have ensured the club decent compensation had he left.

The board, Scott told us, were keen to sort this out and, at the same time, reward him with an improved deal for winning League Two.

Of course, he openly stated his ambitions to manage at the highest possible level and, if he continues doing the business for Brentford, then it is more than likely a bigger club will come calling.

At the moment, though, he seems almost scarily focused on getting the Bees into the Championship, so let’s just be grateful and worry about tomorrow when it comes.

I also managed to grab a quick word with Carl Cort, who had signed for the Bees earlier in the day.

I am sure there has already been plenty of debates among supporters about the signing of the former Wimbledon and Newcastle United striker.

Clearly, the £7million the late Sir Bobby Robson spent on him, at a time when football was just starting its descent into financial madness, was too much, and something must have gone horribly wrong somewhere down the line for Cort to now find himself, eight years later, at Brentford on a five-month deal.

However, as with any new player, I’ll reserve judgement until I see him play.

With MacDonald and Strevens injured and Elder gone, Cort has a great opportunity to prove himself and I am hopeful that he will.