Eric Brook

Barnsley

Brook began his professional football career with nearby Barnsley in 1926. Brook has been described as an 'unorthodox' outside left 'with a licence to roam'. Brook treated the left wing as 'a home to look in on'. It was stated that Brook had a 'roving commission' and was 'often found in the centre of the field'. Brook would often take 'throw-ins on both sides of the field'. Brook could play anywhere on the pitch if the need required, including in goal. He replaced an injured goalkeeper on at least three occasions over the course of his career. One such game in which he played in goal was when Manchester City played Arsenal in February 1938. The then City goalkeeper Frank Swift claimed that 'before helping to tuck the blankets over me (on the stretcher) Brookie had pulled my jersey off-about two sizes too big for him- and was ready to keep goal'. Brook played 78 times for Barnsley and scored 18 goals. He was part of the Barnsley team that were runner-ups in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup in 1926–27. He quickly became an ever present in the Barnsley team and was described as a young and clever outside-left. In a 1-3 defeat to Fulham in September 1927, Brook was described as 'easily the pick of the Barnsley forwards'. His performances provoked interest from teams in the First Division. In 1927, he was linked with possible moves to Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.

Manchester City

In 1928 Brook and teammate Fred Tilson were transferred to…

Brook's 'workmanlike' club form earned him a call up to the England team in 1929 and he made his first appearance for his nation against Ireland. His debut performance for England was described as 'decidedly promising'. Brook went on to play for England a total of 18 times, scoring 10 goals. He may have played more times for his country, but faced competition, primarily from Arsenal's Cliff Bastin (who received 21 caps), but also from others, such as Aston Villa's Eric Houghton (who received 7 caps), Sheffield Wednesday's Ellis Rimmer (who received 4 caps) and West Ham's Jimmy Ruffell (who received six caps) and Jackie Morton (who received one cap). However, the versatility of Brook and Bastin meant that they often played together for England, usually with Bastin playing in the inside left position (in a game against Scotland in 1935 Bastin played at inside right). When they played together, Brook and Bastin would interchange at will, switches which often confused opposition defences. Despite the rivalry, Brook and Bastin were in the latter's words 'always the greatest of friends'. The only players to have scored more goals for England, prior to the Second World War, who did not play in the centre forward or inside forward positions were Cliff Bastin and Charles Bambridge. Only twelve players in total scored more goals for England than Brook prior to the war. In addition to playing for England, Brook often competed in trial matches for the Rest of England against the…

Brook was born in the Yorkshire town of Mexborough in 1907. Brook began his football career, as an outside left, playing for local teams including Mexborough and Deame Valley Old Boys. Brook signed for Wath Athletic, who played in the Midland Football League, in 1925.

Brook is regarded as one of the finest players to have graced the English game and has been inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame. In 1977 the Manchester City Council named eleven streets in a new estate in Moss Side after famous City players including Brook. He is listed as the eighth greatest ever City player on the Times website, seventh in Ian Penney's book The Essential History of Manchester City and fourth in the Manchester Evening News. Brook appears in The EFG Bumper Book of QI Annuals in which he is portrayed (imaginarily) with one arm in a sling and another arm in the air, with his hand grasping the Jules Rimet Trophy, with two teammates holding him aloft, in a similar fashion to how Bobby Moore was held aloft by his teammates after England's victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final, due to his brace in the 3–2 victory over the then World Champions Italy at the Battle of Highbury in 1934. In 2018 Brook was honoured with a plaque in his home town of Mexborough. The plaque was unveiled at Mexborough Athletic Club in May 2018 at an event which was attended by former Manchester City player and club ambassador Mike Summerbee and local MP Ed Miliband.