Herbert Brooks

Early life and career Herbert Brooks was born on 1 July 1858 to Henry Brooks and Mary. His father was from Nailsea, Somerset, whilst his mother was born in Longbenton, Northumberland. Herbert had three older brothers, John, Thomas and Frederick, and an older sister Catherine, as well as a younger sister, Florence.

Domestic career Herbert Brooks started playing rugby at the age of 16 for Darlington RFC as a fullback, and when he was just 17 was selected to play for his county side, Durham County, against Northumberland. The following year he represented Durham once again against Yorkshire at three-quarter back and then retired from the game for a while. Whilst studying medicine at Edinburgh University (from 1878 to 1883) he took up rugby once more and was elected captain of the university side in 1882–83. In that season he was chosen on the East v. West in Scotland. In all, he played six times in the venerable Edinburgh v. Glasgow match, and in the other inter-university matches. In 1884 he was selected to play for the North of England vs the South and was once again called up for Durham County. His career took him abroad but when he returned from Burmah in 1887 he played association football as a right wing forward for Darlington F.C. and played in the final of the Durham Cup, and was in the winning side of the Cleveland Association Cup. He took up rugby once more in 1887/1888 and was immediately selected for the Durham County team, and was chosen captain. His professional duties prevented him playing against Yorkshire and Middlesex, but he was able to play against Cheshire and Northumberland.

British Isles Brooks played 17 times on the 1888 Lions Tour on the wing or at centre, scoring three tries, while he also refereed several matches. By 1901, Herbert was living his wife, Bessie, in Rochdale, Lancashire where he was a surgeon.