Brodie John Image 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1891

Description

Wightwick, Wolverhampton born centre forward John Brodie was a pivotal figure in the formative years of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Brodie attended St Luke’s School in Blakenhall, then Saltley College and was a founding figure of the football club that became Wolverhampton Wanderers joining them in 1877. He played in the club’s first ever FA Cup tie in 1883, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Long Eaton Rangers, and scored 12 goals in their first ever Football League season making his League debut at Blackburn Rovers in October 1888. By then he had been the club’s top scorer in the five previous seasons between 1883-84 and 1887-88 with 15 goals in 13 matches. He also captained the team in the 1889 FA Cup Final, where they lost 3-0 to League Champions and “Invincibles” Preston North End.

Brodie won three England caps, making his debut on 2nd March 1889, when he scored – as captain – in a 6-1 win over Ireland at Anfield. His other appearances were against Scotland in April 1889 when he scored in a 3-2 defeat at The Oval, and, again in another 6-1 win against Ireland, this time at his home ground Molineux in March 1891.

He retired from playing later in 1891 due to a knee injury, becoming a football referee, and became headmaster of a Wolverhampton school, St Peter’s College in Saltley. He later returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers as a director of the club in June 1913.