The Club was saddened to learn of the death of former player Johnny Brooks, who died yesterday [Tuesday], aged 84. The inside forward gained England international honours in a league career that spanned 14 years. Possessing a wonderful ability to dribble with the ball, he was a key part of Brentford’s Fourth Division championship success in 1963.

Born in Reading, Berkshire, on 23 December 1931, he signed professional forms with his hometown club in 1949. He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in February 1953 for £6,000. After the departure of Spurs manager Arthur Rowe in 1955, he enjoyed the best spell of his career, gaining three England caps in the winter of 1956. Johnny moved to Chelsea for £20,000 in September 1959, with Les Allen also moving the opposite direction.

Brooks signed for Brentford in September 1961 and made his debut on 9 September 1961 against Southend United at Griffin Park but could not halt the club’s slide into Division Four for the first time. However, the next season The Bees bounced back as champions, with Brooks the architect of a side that romped to the title, scoring 98 league goals in the process. He contributed 22 of those in 39 appearances in an all international forward line that comprised Brooks [England], John Dick [Scotland] and Billy McAdams [Northern Ireland].

Losing his place in the side, he moved to Crystal Palace in January 1964 after scoring 36 goals in 83 league appearances for Brentford. Johnny helped The Eagles to promotion from Division Three. Released that summer, Johnny continued in non-league football with Stevenage Town and Cambridge City, in addition to spells in Canada and North America. After his return to the UK, Brooks played and managed Hertfordshire side Knebworth Town.

He moved to Bournemouth on the South Coast in his latter years and was a welcome visitor to the Club’s centenary celebrations of Griffin Park in July 2004, appearing in a former players’ match at the age of 72.

His son Shaun was also a professional footballer with Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient, and AFC Bournemouth. Brentford extend our deepest condolences to Johnny’s family and friends at this time.