This week our sketch shows another veteran of the local athletic ranks, who commenced his career of 'sport ' when 17 years old, starting with Ashfield Harriers, (Liverpool Junior Champions), in 1895.
His first race was one of six miles, when the first prize fell to his lot. In 1896 he gained first in 440 yards scratch race, Ashfield Harriers. In the season 1896-7 he joined Birkenhead Gymnasium Harriers and North Egremont Harriers, winning with former club third in nine miles and second in four miles races, and first in six miles race with latter club. He then turned his attention to track racing, and has competed at the Insurance Companies sports every year since 1897, with the following successes: - 1897, third in 600 yards and second in mile; 1898, second 440 yards; 1900, first in half-mile bicycle, first in mile bicycle, and first in three miles bicycle; 1901, third in half-mile bicycle; 1902, third in half-mile and mile bicycle; 1903, first in mile bicycle (and second in pair oar race at Regatta, Chester); 1904, first in half-mile bicycle and first in mile bicycle, and also holding for twelve months a twenty-guinea cup. In 1905, he gave serious attention to training, and commenced running at open sports with very marked success, his triumphs being as follows: - First 880 yards Pembroke Harriers, second 100 yards Licensed Victuallers, second 100 yards Insurance sports, second 880 yards bicycle Insurance sports, and first in squadron at same sports, third 120 yards Lytham C.C., fourth 220 yards Liverpool Police, second 880 yards Wallasey Medical Charities at New Brighton, first 200 yards West Cheshire Harriers, second 440 yards Blackley C.C., first 440 yards Congleton, third 880 yards Widnes Police, second 440 yards Barnsley C.C. fourth 880 yards Salford Harriers, third mile Birkenhead Horticultural, and won the gold medal of Pembroke Harriers for highest score on the track for the season; 1906, third 880 yards Pembroke Harriers, second 1,000 yards Liverpool Harriers, second 880 yards Pembroke Harriers, second 440 yards Widnes Police, third 100 yards Heswall C.C., first three miles Homecraft Harriers.
The summer of 1907 saw him again on the track, but not to the same extent as in two previous years, when at the Douglas Camp sports he gained first place in 600 yards, mile and squadron races. In addition to the above he ran for the late Wallasey Harriers 1898-9, and Homecroft from 1904 to the present time, winning the aggregate medal for inter-club runs 1905-6. He also during the summer of 1904 was an ardent member of the Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club.
Brookes is the present hon. secretary and treasurer of Homecroft Athletic Club, and will be pleased to welcome anyone desirous to taking up the sport if they will communicate with him.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 02/11/1907
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