Harry Brophy
Encyclopedia
Harry Frank Brophy was an English
professional footballer who played for Southampton
in the years immediately before World War II
. After the war, he emigrated to Australia
where he coached the national football team
, including acting as team manager for two games in 1954 and 1955.
, but moved to North London
as a child. He captained Islington
schoolboys to the English Schools Shield in 1931 (aged 14) and his maturity was soon spotted by Arsenal
who signed him up as a trainee in 1933. He never appeared for Arsenal's first team and was sent out on loan, firstly to Canterbury Waverley of the Kent League
and then to Margate
(Arsenal's nursery team) for the 1935–36 season. He signed professional papers for Arsenal in May 1936, and was then sent out on loan again, this time to Brighton & Hove Albion
. He broke a leg when playing in a reserve match for Brighton against Reading
(in a tackle with Fred Briggs
whom he was later to partner in Southampton's forward line). He returned to Highbury
but failed to break into the first team.
and in May 1938, now the Saints manager, Parker signed him for Southampton
. Although Brophy was normally a half back
, he was drafted in as centre forward for the first three games of the 1938–39 season
in the absence of Reg Tomlinson. Brophy scored in each of the first three games of the season before injury sidelined him for two games. Unfortunately, all three games ended as defeats, setting the tone for the rest of the season. He came back into the side, this time at left half and scored again. After that flurry of goals, he only scored once more. During his only full season at The Dell
he also played at right half, centre half and full back. In all he made 37 league appearances, scoring five goals as the season ended with "the Saints" in 18th place in the table.
The outbreak of war then brought Brophy's playing career to a premature end. He initially joined the police before joining the Merchant Navy
and served on the hospital ship "St Andrew" during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. During the war he guested for several clubs including Huddersfield Town
, Fulham
and Crystal Palace
and Clapton Orient.
and joined Corinthian Club in Brisbane
. He graduated to coaching for Australia and took charge of the team in 1954 and 1955. After a time coaching the Mauritius national football team
, in 1960 he returned to England to obtain his coaching badges at Lilleshall Hall
. He then returned to Australia in 1961 to coach firstly at Hakoah Sports
in Melbourne
, before moving on to Hellenic F.C. in Brisbane and Sydney Prague
where he became manager in 1962.
In 1989 he returned once again to England
where he settled in Bedford
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who played for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the years immediately before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, he emigrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
where he coached the national football team
Australia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
, including acting as team manager for two games in 1954 and 1955.
Early career
He was born in LeicesterLeicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, but moved to North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
as a child. He captained Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
schoolboys to the English Schools Shield in 1931 (aged 14) and his maturity was soon spotted by Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
who signed him up as a trainee in 1933. He never appeared for Arsenal's first team and was sent out on loan, firstly to Canterbury Waverley of the Kent League
Kent League
The Kent League is an English football league for teams based in Kent and south east London, which was established in 1966. It was also the name of a similar league which existed from 1894 until 1959.-History:...
and then to Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
(Arsenal's nursery team) for the 1935–36 season. He signed professional papers for Arsenal in May 1936, and was then sent out on loan again, this time to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. He broke a leg when playing in a reserve match for Brighton against Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
(in a tackle with Fred Briggs
Fred Briggs (footballer)
Fred Briggs was an English professional footballer who played as a forward for Rotherham United, Reading and Southampton in the 1930s.-Rotherham United:...
whom he was later to partner in Southampton's forward line). He returned to Highbury
Arsenal Stadium
Arsenal Stadium was a football stadium in Highbury, North London, which was the home ground of Arsenal Football Club between 6 September 1913 and 7 May 2006...
but failed to break into the first team.
Southampton
Whilst with the "Gunners" his potential had been spotted by Tom ParkerTom Parker (footballer)
Thomas Robert "Tom" Parker was an English football player and manager.-Southampton:Born in Woolston, Southampton, Parker began playing with local sides, such as Sholing Rangers and Sholing Athletic, before joining Southern League side Southampton as an amateur in 1918, just before the end of the...
and in May 1938, now the Saints manager, Parker signed him for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. Although Brophy was normally a half back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, he was drafted in as centre forward for the first three games of the 1938–39 season
1938-39 in English football
The 1938–39 season was the 64th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
in the absence of Reg Tomlinson. Brophy scored in each of the first three games of the season before injury sidelined him for two games. Unfortunately, all three games ended as defeats, setting the tone for the rest of the season. He came back into the side, this time at left half and scored again. After that flurry of goals, he only scored once more. During his only full season at The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
he also played at right half, centre half and full back. In all he made 37 league appearances, scoring five goals as the season ended with "the Saints" in 18th place in the table.
The outbreak of war then brought Brophy's playing career to a premature end. He initially joined the police before joining the Merchant Navy
Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency...
and served on the hospital ship "St Andrew" during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. During the war he guested for several clubs including Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
and Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
and Clapton Orient.
Coaching in Australia
In 1949 he emigrated to QueenslandQueensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and joined Corinthian Club in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. He graduated to coaching for Australia and took charge of the team in 1954 and 1955. After a time coaching the Mauritius national football team
Mauritius national football team
The Mauritius national football team, nicknamed Club M, is the national team of Mauritius and is controlled by the Mauritius Football Association.-Early years:...
, in 1960 he returned to England to obtain his coaching badges at Lilleshall Hall
Lilleshall Hall
Lilleshall Hall is a large former country house and estate located near Lilleshall in Shropshire, England. It was founded as an Augustinian Abbey in the 12th century, with its estate running to some...
. He then returned to Australia in 1961 to coach firstly at Hakoah Sports
Melbourne Hakoah
Melbourne Hakoah is a defunct Australian sports club which had a predominantly Jewish Australian supporter base, akin to Hakoah Vienna. The club's best known arm was its soccer club.-History:...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, before moving on to Hellenic F.C. in Brisbane and Sydney Prague
Sydney Prague
Sydney Prague, commonly known as Prague was a former association football club formed in 1957 by predominantly Czech Australians, which participated in the NSW State League from its foundation in 1957 until its amalgamation with Yugal at the beginning of the 1973 season.Sydney Prague were one of...
where he became manager in 1962.
In 1989 he returned once again to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where he settled in Bedford
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
.