Broomfield Herbert Image 1 Manchester United 1907

Description

Audlem, Cheshire born goalkeeper Herbert Broomfield began his football career with Northwich Wednesday and played for Northwich Victoria in 1901, from where he was signed by First Division Bolton Wanderers as understudy to Fred Thompson and Dai Davies, making his Football League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in February 1903, playing 5 times before the season end as Bolton were relegated. He remained at Burnden Park for five seasons, always as understudy, his busiest season being 1904-05 when he made 13 appearances as Bolton regained their top flight status finishing as Second Division runners up,

Broomfield joined Manchester United in the summer of 1907 after 28 appearances for The Trotters, and won the League Championship in his only season at Old Trafford, making 9 appearances in March and April 1908 as understudy to Harry Moger, although only two of those matches were won. Broomfield then completed the unusual if not unique feat of playing for the three biggest Manchester area clubs within the space of two years when he joined Manchester City in the 1908 close season, where he was understudy to Walter Smith, making 4 appearances for City between November 1908 and February 1909, however City were relegated at the end of the season and Broomfield’s career thereafter is uncertain.

He is perhaps best known for his involvement in the formation of a Players’ Union in December 1907, where he was asked to be the secretary of the society that was formed by several Manchester United players.