[Official Site] Eric Brookes | 1944 - 2020

I saw Eric play many times for the Reds in the 60s. I was at the Wrexham game, but hadn't realized that was his only goal for us. If you look at the records, you will see that the crowd was 17,186 for a game which was a relegation battle at the foot of the old Division 3. This was because it was someone's bright idea to sell tickets for the Manchester United fifth round FA Cup game at the match, so that loyal supporters would get their chance to buy tickets. Well, there were 17,186 'loyal' supporters there, but I am not sure how many actually bothered to come through the turnstile, or to watch the game to its conclusion. It was 3-0 to the Reds and both full-backs scored - Allan Hopper with a penalty (yes, we did get them in those days) and Eric Brookes. I seem to recall that Eric's goal was the third and, with the game fairly safe already at 2-0, he sauntered forwards down the left wing and simply kept going, eventually getting a chance to shoot left-footed from an angle past Alan Jones in the Wrexham goal. Well taken, Eric. I also recall his playing in central defence from time to time, best exemplified in the end-of-season game at home to Watford, who only needed one point to be crowned champions of the Third Division. It looked a formality and they even had their champions photo taken on the pitch before the game - cheek! When they went 0-2 up through classic Ken Furphy-inspired training ground corner routines (Walley and Endean), it looked all over, but Eric Winstanley headed in from a corner just before half time and we went in 1-2 down. Then came the great master-stroke. Winstanley came out and played centre-forward for the whole second half, Brookes coming on in his place at centre half. Winstanley went on to show what a great all-round player he was by completing his hat-trick, as we won 3-2. It was a classic game and showed the best, both of Ken Furphy's Watford and Barnsley of the time. I remember Bettany hitting the post in the first five minutes. Jimmy Robson turning away, certain that he had scored in the first ten minutes, only for Walley to get back and scoop the ball off the line. At 4-2, I recall a wonderful cross in from George Hamstead, which Johnny Evans tried to convert with a diving header no more that a foot off the turf - it went about one foot wide of being 4-2. It says a great deal for the consistent professionalism and performance of Eric Brookes that he was sold for £8k to Northampton and gave great service both to them and to Posh afterwards. That was a big fee in those days for a full-back.

RIP Eric. Thanks for the memories. Condolences to the family. I can still see that one goal against Wrexham now.

 

Great memories thomasevans - before I started going but wanted to share this photo of Eric taken from a 1960s footy annual

 

one of the best ever full backs to wear Barnsley red.. rip

 

Part of the team from my earliest games stood on a pop bottle crate by the wall in the Paddock. Good pro, fond memories.