Steve Brooker
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Steve Brooker
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = Stephen Michael Lord Brooker{{cite web|title=Profile|url=https://www.thefinalball.com/jogador.php?id=48492&%3bepoca_id=0|work=footballzz.co.uk|accessdate=2 April 2012}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|5|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = Newport Pagnell, England
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2001/02 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2001-2002/d2/portv.htm |website=footballsquads.co.uk |accessdate=24 June 2019}}
| position = Forward
| youthyears1 = 1997–1999| youthclubs1 = Watford
| years1 = 1999–2001| clubs1 = Watford | caps1 = 1| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2001 | clubs2 = → Port Vale (loan) | caps2 = 2| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2001–2004| clubs3 = Port Vale | caps3 = 129| goals3 = 36
| years4 = 2004–2009| clubs4 = Bristol City | caps4 = 101| goals4 = 37
| years5 = 2008 | clubs5 = → Cheltenham Town (loan) | caps5 = 14| goals5 = 5
| years6 = 2008 | clubs6 = → Doncaster Rovers (loan)| caps6 = 1| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2009–2011| clubs7 = Doncaster Rovers | caps7 = 13| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2012 | clubs8 = Buxton | caps8 = | goals8 =
| totalcaps = 261| totalgoals = 80
}}
Stephen Michael Lord Brooker (born 21 May 1981) is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward. He scored 86 goals from 294 league and cup appearances in a 12-year professional career.
He began his career with Watford in 1999 before moving on to Port Vale in 2001, following a short loan spell. With Vale, he won the Football League Trophy in 2001. He transferred to Bristol City in 2004, where he would spend the next five years. In 2008, he spent time on loan at both Cheltenham Town and Doncaster Rovers before he joined Doncaster permanently in 2009. He spent two years with the club before he was released due to injury concerns. He signed with Buxton in October 2012.
Career
Brooker came through the youth system at Watford before joining Port Vale, initially on loan, in January 2001. He scored his first goal in senior football in his second appearance, a 3–0 home win over Notts County in the Football League Trophy.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Making progress and demanding more |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/making-progress-and-demanding-more |access-date=19 August 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=19 August 2024}} He was signed by manager Brian Horton on the recommendation of coach Martin Foyle (who would succeed Horton as manager in February 2004).{{cite news |last1=Fielding |first1=Rob |title=Five of the best Port Vale signings by Martin Foyle |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2020/03/five-best-martin-foyle-signings/ |accessdate=5 June 2020 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=19 March 2020}} He signed permanently two weeks later on a two-and-a-half-year deal for a transfer fee of £15,000.{{cite news|title=Port Vale|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/apr/25/footballfanzines.sport2|accessdate=6 November 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=25 April 2001}} Other clubs were reportedly interested in the player after his impressive loan stint, but Watford manager Graham Taylor stuck to the original transfer terms agreed upon before the loan began.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Assessing the squad as Port Vale prepare for transfer deals |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/assessing-the-squad-as-port-vale |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=22 January 2024}} He helped the "Valiants" to lift the 2001 Football League Trophy after he scored past Brentford in the final.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1289338.stm|title=Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy|date=22 April 2001|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}
Forced to undergo a hernia operation at the start of the 2002–03 season,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/2272507.stm|title=Brooker blow for Vale|date=21 September 2002|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} he recovered to score five goals in thirty games. After he recovered from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss a month at the start of the 2003–04 season,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/3171830.stm|title=Brooker blow for Vale|date=7 October 2003|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/3248331.stm|title=Brooker boost for Vale|date=6 November 2003|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} he went on to finish the campaign with eight goals in 34 games.
He started the 2004–05 season in tremendous form, scoring for four successive league games in August, including a brace past Hull City. With his contract up in the summer,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/3622482.stm|title=City still want Brooker|date=2 September 2004|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} the next month he was sold to Bristol City for a fee of £225,000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/3700122.stm|title=Robins clinch Brooker deal |date=29 September 2004|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} This came days after fans were told he was not for sale and would not be moving by Vale chairman Bill Bratt – a statement that convinced City chairman Stephen Lansdown that "we must now look elsewhere."{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/3631652.stm|title=Vale reject Brooker bid |date=8 September 2004|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 May 2009}} He went on to have a highly successful season with City, scoring 16 goals for the club, despite suffering from a broken toe.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/4102531.stm|title=Striker Brooker has toe dilemma |date=16 December 2004|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} This gave him a total of 21 goals for both Vale and City in 2004–05, and won him another year on his contract with City.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/5146646.stm|title=Brooker extends Bristol City deal |date=5 July 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} This extended deal quashed rumours of a move to Norwich City.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/5086126.stm|title=City reject Norwich-Brooker link |date=16 June 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}
He was both the club's Player of the Season and top scorer in the 2005–06 season with 16 league goals, one of these goals came against former club Port Vale after the player claimed that the boo-boys at Vale Park inspired him to find the net.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/4539778.stm|title=Vale boo-boys inspire City star |date=18 December 2005|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} His form helped the club go from the bottom of the league in December,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/4506240.stm|title=Brooker embarrassed at City's woe |date=7 December 2005|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} to finish just six points shy of the play-offs. He was rewarded with a new deal with the club despite having two years remaining on his contract.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/5001008.stm|title=Brooker set for new City contract |date=20 May 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}
He scored three goals in 27 games during City's 2006–07 promotion-winning campaign. However, on his release from prison in September, he found himself battling a catalogue of injuries,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/5378694.stm|title=Brooker faces hamstring lay-off |date=25 September 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} that would go on to plague him for several years. He missed the start of the campaign with hamstring and knee injuries,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/6067056.stm|title=Brooker forced to delay comeback |date=19 October 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/6133076.stm|title=Brooker must delay comeback again |date=9 November 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} and picked up a further knee injury in April,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7130414.stm|title=Brooker makes return from injury |date=6 December 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} which caused him to miss the club's pre-season tour of Latvia.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/6272746.stm|title=Bristol City suffer Brooker blow |date=5 July 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/6950127.stm|title=Brooker back training with City |date=16 August 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}
He missed much of the 2007–08 season after being forced to undergo two knee operations.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/7247184.stm|title=Brooker out to prove his fitness |date=15 February 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7138722.stm|title=Johnson tells Brooker not to rush |date=11 December 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7098305.stm|title=Brooker targets return to action |date=17 November 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/6986790.stm|title=Brooker to have second operation |date=12 September 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} In January Brooker was made available for a loan spell to regain fitness, and twenty clubs put in offers.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7175453.stm|title=City get 20 loan bids for Brooker |date=7 January 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 May 2009}} After recovering from illness and a further back injury,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7178717.stm|title=Brooker stays put until fully fit |date=9 January 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/6364411.stm|title=City cautious over Brooker return |date=15 February 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} he joined Keith Downing's League One side Cheltenham Town on a one-month loan.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/7181782.stm|title=Cheltenham complete double swoop |date=11 January 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 May 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/7181782.stm|title=Cheltenham complete double swoop |date=11 January 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} This deal was later extended by another month.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/7244796.stm|title=Brooker extends Cheltenham stay |date=14 February 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} Playing 14 games with the "Robins", he scored his five goals for the club in the space of six matches,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7284964.stm|title=Cheltenham 1-0 Bristol Rovers |date=15 March 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} helping the club to avoid relegation into League Two. His form persuaded manager Gary Johnson to re-call him to Bristol.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7307472.stm|title=Brooker boosted by Bristol return |date=21 March 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7300722.stm|title=Johnson recalls striker Brooker |date=18 March 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} On his return to City he scored an emotional late goal against Norwich to send his club top of the table;{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7309385.stm|title=Bristol City 2-1 Norwich |date=29 March 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7322180.stm|title=Brooker emotional at late winner |date=31 March 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} however, the "Reds" would have to settle with a play-off place. Overall, he played just four games of the club's march to the play-off final with Hull City, and was not named on the teamsheet in the final itself. Cheltenham were hopeful of signing the striker in the summer,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13422597.stm|title=Doncaster Rovers to release Brooker & Webster |date=8 July 2008 |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} but were denied the chance to have him back on loan,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/7502260.stm|title=Cheltenham fail with Brooker bid |date=11 July 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} despite City having six strikers on the books.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7700679.stm|title=Robins to keep strikers - Johnson |date=30 October 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}
He started the 2008–09 season well by coming off the bench to get the late winners at Blackpool,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7540942.stm|title=Blackpool 0-1 Bristol City |date=August 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} Peterborough United,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7555751.stm|title=Bristol City 2-1 Peterborough |date=12 August 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} and Coventry City.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7565053.stm|title=Coventry 0-3 Bristol City |date=23 August 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} However, he was then struck down by an Achilles injury.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7722979.stm|title=Brooker scores twice on comeback |date=11 November 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} On the November loan window deadline day, he joined Doncaster Rovers on a one-month loan with a view to a permanent deal.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/7754118.stm|title=Doncaster sign up Brooker on loan |date=28 November 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 May 2009}} He came on as a substitute for his Rovers debut against Watford and scored with his first touch to give his new team a 1–1 draw.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7742142.stm|title=Watford 1-1 Doncaster |date=29 November 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} However, he suffered a tore calf muscle in training and returned to Ashton Gate.{{cite news|url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10329~1475211,00.html|title=Brooker Returns To Bristol City|date=3 December 2008|work=doncasterroversfc.co.uk|accessdate=3 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/7762649.stm|title=Brooker returns to Bristol City |date=3 December 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} He returned to Rovers permanently for an undisclosed fee in January 2009, penning a two-and-a-half-year deal despite not being fully fit.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/7847781.stm|title=Brooker completes Doncaster move |date=28 January 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 May 2009}} He was initially expected to be rested for two weeks,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7815484.stm|title=Brooker hopes for Doncaster move |date=7 January 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} but soon found himself out of action on a long-term basis after requiring an operation to fix an ankle injury.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/7920733.stm|title=Op rules Brooker out for season |date=3 March 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}}
He missed the entirety of the 2009–10 campaign with his injury problems. In the 2010–11 campaign he finally made his second appearance for the club, and on 30 April, Brooker scored his second goal for "Donny" when he blasted a 25 half-volley into the net to earn his club a 1–1 draw with Leicester City – the point ensured his club safety from relegation.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13174169.stm|title=Doncaster 1 - 1 Leicester|date=30 April 2011|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 August 2011}} However, he was still released from the club at the end of the season.{{Cite news| title = Doncaster Rovers to release Brooker & Webster| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13422597.stm| work = BBC Sport| date = 17 May 2011| accessdate =18 May 2011}}
In October 2012, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Buxton after training with the "Bucks" for several weeks trying to build his fitness.{{cite web|title=Buxton bring in Brooker|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=88354|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130033950/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=88354|url-status=usurped|archive-date=30 January 2013|publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com|accessdate=9 October 2012}} The club finished seventh in 2012–13.
Style of play
Brooker was a forward with aggression and strength.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Tom Pope - Why Port Vale LDV winners were heroes to this 15-year-old |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tom-pope-port-vale-column-4079759 |accessdate=26 April 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=26 April 2020}}
Personal life
On 1 September 2006, Brooker was sentenced to prison for 28 days for his part in a 2005 nightclub brawl,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/4353348.stm|title=Fourth player quizzed after brawl |date=18 October 2005|work=BBC News|accessdate=12 May 2009}} which also saw his Bristol City teammates Bradley Orr and David Partridge imprisoned.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/5306506.stm|title=Football stars jailed over brawl |date=1 September 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 May 2009}} Two weeks later, he and Orr were released on licence, having served half of their original sentence in custody.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/5345494.stm|title=Jailed duo return to Bristol City |date=14 September 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 May 2009}} The sentence was described by City chairman Stephen Lansdown as 'harsh'.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/5308624.stm|title=Players' jailing branded 'harsh'|date=2 September 2006|work=BBC News|accessdate=12 May 2009}}
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
Honours
Port Vale
- Football League Trophy: 2000–01{{cite news|title=Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1289338.stm|accessdate=19 January 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=22 April 2001}}
Bristol City
- Football League One second-place promotion: 2006–07
Individual
- Bristol City Player of the Season: 2005–06
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Bristol City F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brooker, Steve}}
Category:People from Newport Pagnell
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Bristol City F.C. players
Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players