Unofficial Halesowen Town FC Forum

60 years ago this Saturday my Dad Colin Brookes, President of Halesowen Town FC was playing for England School Boys at Wembley in front of 90,000 fans. He scored England's second goal in their 2-0 victory over Wales. This Saturday my Dad will be down at The Grove willing his beloved HTFC to a victory against Skelmersdale FC and believe me that this means just as much to him as that day 60 years ago. I hope all you Yeltz fans will join my Dad at The Grove and get behind the lads in this very important game. Best wishes for the rest of the season. C'mon you Yeltz. Karen

A true gentleman, in every sense of the word,

On Tuesday night in the pouring rain watching a dismal performance, I did think ..what would Colin think about this? This was partly prompted by a voice which I wrongly thought was him.
No doubt with such a turnround of players this season, most would not know him, but it`s not too late to make them aware.
As Karen says "come on you Yeltz , lets give it an extra push on Saturday" and show Colin we can do it when it`s really needed.

As Lutley said, a true gentleman and a pleasure to be in the company of. But also i will add that he is nobodys fool and will be as disheartened with some of the goings on as much as anybody else.

As I stated he is a gentleman, and wouldn't make public his opinions as to the shenanigans going on behind the scenes.

Here's a summary I put together last year on Colin's early football pedigree, prior to the Yeltz days:

The Barnsley Boy with a decent left foot found the world at his feet at 15, coveted by Manchester United and a schoolboy international. 60 years ago on 30th March 1957, Colin scored for England Schoolboys versus Wales at Wembley in a 2-0 victory, watched by over 90,000 fans. The 1957 England Schoolboys included Nobby Stiles, Bobby Tambling and goalkeeper Bob Wilson (even though he was Scottish).

Colin signed for Manchester United’s Busby Babes, and who knows what might have happened if the homesick young Colin had not returned to his home town a few months later. Colin made his Barnsley debut against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, subsequently scoring 5 goals in 47 league games and toured Austria with the England youth squad, captained by Bobby Moore.

He then signed for West Brom in 1961, scoring a hat-trick for the ‘A’ side against Birmingham City. Spells at Peterborough and Southport followed with Colin scoring twice in his 20 league appearances for Southport, before joining Yeovil Town. Colin then returned to the West Midlands and joined the Police Force, stationed in Netherton and went on to run the West Midlands Police side, winning the Midland Combination and reaching the FA Vase quarter final in 1992.

Colin’s retirement from the Police was Halesowen Town’s gain as he’s now clocked up over 22 passionate football years at The Grove, initially forming a formidable partnership with manager Stewart Hall. At the time of his appointment in late 1994, Stewart said of Colin Brookes, “He is one of the few people still left in football who knows the meaning of the word integrity and I’m delighted because I’ve got a scout, general manager and administrator rolled into one”.

A great result on Saturday, not pretty I understand, but nevertheless hard fought and really important. Another tough game on Wednesday away at Hednesford and then Saturday against Blythe Spartans. You never know what can happen - look at the Baggies v Arsenal 3-1 and 0-0 at Man Utd. At this time of the season it's not how pretty it is it's about eking out a result be it draw or win wherever possible. Cmon you Yeltz. PS. Thanks for the lovely comments about my Dad it makes be really proud.

Whilst it's great to hear from Karen, Colin's daughter, could I ask is he OK?
Or have I missed something? The tone of some of the posts might suggest he's unwell.

And while I'm on, I too echo the comments about 'Sir Colin' - he should be anyway!

I was at the Albion v Arsenal game and to compare that brilliant Albion display to anything we've produced this season is frankly laughable.

Albion out muscled. Out thought. Out fought. Out ran. Out played and were far better than Arsenal on that day.

I've not been able to say the same about Yeltz since 2014.

I find that comment strange.

The performance v Man U is more appropriate. Setting up a team to be negative and have no hope of getting a goal, and ultimately no ambition of winning - that sounds like Yeltz.

Hi just to confirm Dad is fit and well and I didn't mean to convey anything else in my messages thx. Karen