Eric Brook
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Eric Brook | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Eric Brook | |
| Date of birth | November 27, 1907 | |
| Place of birth | Mexborough, England | |
| Position | Outside Left | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | deceased | |
| Professional clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (goals) |
1928-1939 |
Barnsley F.C. Manchester City F.C. |
494 (178) |
| National team** | ||
| 1929-1939 | England | 18 (10) |
|
* Professional club appearances and goals |
||
Eric Fred Brook (27 November 1907 - 29 March 1965) was an English footballer who is the all time record goalscorer for Manchester City F.C.
Brook was born in the Yorkshire town of Mexborough in 1907. He started his professional football career with nearby Barnsley, playing outside left. In 1928 Brook and teammate Fred Tilson were transferred to Manchester City for a combined fee of £6,000, the pair making their debuts on 17 March against Grimsby Town. In 1929 Brook made his first appearance for England against Northern Ireland. Brook went on to play for England a total of 18 times, scoring 10 goals. He would have played more times but faced competition from Arsenal F.C.'s Cliff Bastin. In the Battle of Highbury international in 1934 against Italy he missed a penalty but redeemed himself scoring two goals helping England to victory. In the mid-1930s Brook played in consecutive FA Cup finals, collecting a winners medal on the second occasion, and he was an ever present in the first Manchester City side to win the League Championship, in 1937. Over 11 years with Manchester City, Brook scored 178 goals in 494 appearances, making him the all time highest Manchester City goalscorer, and sixth in terms of appearances.
Although his position was outside left Brook was a player who could play anywhere on the pitch if the need required. Teammate Frank Swift once recalled that when he became injured Brook had taken off his goalkeepers jersey (which was too big for him) and was preparing to play in goal.
In 1940, Brook was selected to represent England in a wartime international against Scotland. Whilst travelling to the match, he was involved in a car crash, suffering a fractured skull. Unable to head a ball, Brook retired from football, and became a coach driver in his home town of Mexborough. Later in his life he also spent time working as a publican, and as a crane operator. He died at home in Wythenshawe in March 1965.
He is regarded as one of the finest players to have graced the English game and has been inducted into the Manchester City FC hall of fame.
