Below we reproduce a photograph of the youngest of four brothers (all of whom play a strenuous part in athletics), who was born 22 years ago.
He first took up football but on the suggestion of a brother commenced running in 1903, when he joined Homecroft A.C. and Liverpool Pembroke Harriers. During the cross-country season of 1905-6 he secured first five miles handicap (accomplishing the fastest time), fourth seven miles handicap, third seven miles club handicap, and third in Pembroke Harriers' ten miles championship. The summer of 1906 saw him placed third mile Liverpool Postal Sports, third mile Ellesmere, Salop, second mile St. Helens, third mile Prescot Wireworks Sports, and third mile Widnes Athletic Club.
During the winter of 1906-7 he again ran third in Homecroft Harriers' championship, third in three miles road race, won the medal for highest score in inter-club contests, and also ran thirteenth in Liverpool & District Cross-Country Championship. The track season of 1907 again saw him on the path, he being placed second in the mile race at Postal Sports, but early on in the summer he had the misfortune to be badly spiked when running at Belfast, which necessitated his retirement for practically the whole of the season. He, however, is again fit, and has this season proved his value to the club. In addition to the above, swimming has formed part of his exercises to a fair extent, and at this form of sport he has won three first, one second, and four third prizes. Brookes is one of the pluckiest of runners, and can always be relied upon td give a good account off himself.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Wednesday, 20/11/1907
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