Harry Brockbank Explained

Harry Brockbank
Fullname:Harry William Brockbank[1]
Birth Date:1998 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Bolton, England
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Radcliffe
Youthyears1:2005–2018
Youthclubs1:Bolton Wanderers
Years1:2016–2022
Caps1:31
Goals1:0
Years2:2016–2017
Clubs2:Hyde United (loan)
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2018–2019
Clubs3:Salford City (loan)
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2022
Clubs4:El Paso Locomotive
Caps4:11
Goals4:2
Years5:2022–2023
Clubs5:St Patrick's Athletic
Caps5:17
Goals5:0
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Radcliffe
Caps6:2
Goals6:0
Years7:2024
Clubs7:Bury (loan)
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Club-Update:05:46, 11 April 2024 (UTC)

Harry William Brockbank (born 26 September 1998) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for National League North side Radcliffe.

Early life

Brockbank was educated at Turton School.

Club career

Bolton Wanderers

Harry Brockbank joined the Bolton Wanderers academy at the age of seven,[2] playing in central defence all through the age groups. Brockbank had numerous different coaches whilst progressing through the academy, most notably former Bolton Wanderers players Gavin McCann at Under 15s and Nicky Spooner at Under 16s.

Loans

Brockbank joined Hyde United on loan alongside teammate Ryan White on 16 December 2016.[3] He made no appearances during this loan spell.[4] Two years later he was loaned to Salford City on 30 November 2018[5] and made his debut on 18 December, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 win against Gateshead in the FA Trophy first round, helping Salford reach the second round for the first time in their history.[6] He played one more game, on 1 January 2019, coming on as a late substitute for Matt Green in a 2–0 league win against Wrexham.[7]

First Team

He made his debut for Bolton on 19 April 2019, starting in a 0–2 defeat against Aston Villa. This result meant Bolton were relegated to League One.[8] Brockbank was originally released by the club when his contract expired on 30 June 2019, however he signed a new two-year contract on 3 August 2019[9] despite interest from Burnley and Sunderland.[10] When the senior players refused to play against Coventry City due to unpaid wages, Brockbank played as Captain, and lead the youngest team in Bolton Wanderers history, with an average age of 19, to a 0–0 draw.[11] Brockbank described captaining the club as his dream come true and that Bolton are the only team he wants to play for.[12]

On 2 June 2021 the club announced that Brockbank had signed a new two-year deal which would keep him at the club until at least June 2023.[13] On 19 January 2022, the club announced that he had been released from the remainder of his contract to take up a potential playing opportunity in America.[14]

El Paso Locomotive

On 21 January 2022, Brockbank signed for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive.[15] He made his debut on the opening day of the season in which he came on as a half–time substitute for Shavon John-Brown in a 3–1 defeat against Sacramento Republic.[16] On 24 March he scored the first goal of his career in a 5–4 defeat against Las Vegas Lights.[17] On 21 May, he left El Paso by mutual consent[18] later stating he left as he was homesick.[19]

St Patrick's Athletic

It was announced on 1 July 2022 that Brockbank had signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic.[20] [21] In signing for St Patrick's Athletic, he reunited with former Bolton team mate Eoin Doyle with Brockbank stating it was Doyle who had arranged for Brockbank to have a trial at the club.[22] His debut came on 15 July 2022, in a 1–1 draw against Dundalk at Richmond Park.[23] Brockbank made his first appearance in European football on 21 July 2022 in a 1–1 draw with Slovenian side NŠ Mura in the UEFA Europa Conference League.[24] After making 15 appearances in his first half season at the club, Brockbank signed a new one-year contract with the club on 8 November 2022.[25] He made just 9 appearances in an injury plagued 2023, before being released at the end of his contract in December 2023.[26]

Radcliffe

In January 2024, he moved to Northern Premier League Premier Division side Radcliffe.[27] A month later, he joined North West Counties Premier Division side Bury on a 28 day loan.[28] [29]

Personal life

In January 2021 Brockbank took on the role as a mental health ambassador for Bolton Wanderers and spends part of his free time helping to support people battling with mental health problems.[30] On 21 May 2021, he was given an award by the Professional Footballers' Association for his work in helping people that struggle with their mental health.[31]

Style of play

He can play in every defensive position[32] [22] and can even play as an emergency goalkeeper[33] though his natural position is as a right-back.[34]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bolton Wanderers2018–19Championship3000000030
2019–20League One6000101080
2020–21League Two180000010190
2021–22League One4000102070
Total310002040370
Hyde United (loan)2016–17Northern Premier League00000000
Salford City (loan)2018–19National League10001020
El Paso Locomotive2022USL Championship1121000122
St Patrick's Athletic2022LOI Premier Division1100040150
202360003090
Total1700070240
Radcliffe2023–24[35] Northern Premier League200020
Bury (loan)2023–24[36] NWC Premier Division400040
Career total6521020120802
Notes

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

St Patrick's Athletic

2023

Radcliffe

2023–24

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers. English Football League . 15 October 2019.
  2. Web site: NICKY SPOONER – Wanderers youth coach gives his assessment of Coventry City draw . youtube.com . 23 September 2019 . 10 August 2019.
  3. Web site: Three New Tigers. 20 December 2016.
  4. https://hydeunited.co.uk/player/harry-brockbank/ Hyde United: "Harry Brockbank"
  5. Web site: Bolton Wanderers defender set for Salford City loan . the72.co.uk . 23 September 2019 . 30 November 2018.
  6. Web site: Salford City 3–1 Gateshead (FA Trophy First Round) . salfordcityfc.co.uk . 23 September 2019.
  7. Web site: Salford City 2–0 Wrexham . bbc.co.uk . 23 September 2019 . 1 January 2019.
  8. Web site: Bolton 0–2 Aston Villa . bbc.co.uk . 23 September 2019 . 19 April 2019.
  9. Web site: Harry Brockbank agrees new Wanderers deal . bwfc.co.uk . 23 September 2019 . 3 August 2019.
  10. Web site: Burnley and Sunderland vying for Bolton's Harry Brockbank . theboltonnews.co.uk . 23 September 2019 . 18 June 2019.
  11. Web site: Bolton Wanderers 0–0 Coventry City . bbc.co.uk . 23 September 2019 . 10 August 2019.
  12. Web site: Harry Brockbank says he 'only ever wanted to play for Bolton' . theboltonnews.co.uk . 23 September 2019 . 12 August 2019.
  13. Web site: Brockbank Signs New Deal . bwfc.co.uk . 2 June 2021 . 2 June 2021.
  14. Web site: New Challenge For Brocky . bwfc.co.uk . 19 January 2022 . 19 January 2022.
  15. Web site: El Paso Locomotive signs English defender Harry Brockbank . El Paso Locomotive FC . 21 January 2022 . 21 January 2022 . 21 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220121201702/https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/news_article/show/1204666 . dead .
  16. Web site: "EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FALLS TO SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC IN SEASON OPENER, 1-3". 17 March 2022. 13 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220313070719/https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/news_article/show/1214975. dead.
  17. Web site: El Paso Locomotive vs. Las Vegas Lights - 24 March 2022 - Soccerway. uk.soccerway.com.
  18. https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/20156050.ex-bolton-wanderers-star-harry-brockbank-leaves-us-club-el-paso-locomotive/ The Bolton News: "Ex-Bolton Wanderers star Harry Brockbank leaves US club El Paso Locomotive"
  19. https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/20175622.ex-bolton-wanderers-defender-harry-brockbank-quit-el-paso-locomotive/ The Bolton News: "Ex-Bolton Wanderers defender Harry Brockbank on why he quit El Paso Locomotive"
  20. https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1542924641831903232 St Patrick's Athletic FC @stpatsfc: " We are delighted to announce the signings of right-back Harry Brockbank & midfielder Thijs Timmermans We’ll be hearing from the lads & Manager Tim Clancy about his new recruits in the coming days ⚽️ #StPatsFC #Saints2022"
  21. Web site: Ex-Wanderers defender Harry Brockbank completes St Patrick's Athletic switch. The Bolton News.
  22. Web site: Eoin Doyle's influence in ex-Bolton Wanderers defender Harry Brockbank's St Patrick's transfer. Manchester Evening News. 6 July 2022 .
  23. Web site: Spoils shared but Dundalk boss Stephen O'Donnell sees red on Richmond return. independent.
  24. News: Chris Forrester inspires revival as St Patrick's Athletic keep the tie alive. The Irish Times.
  25. https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9265
    1. SAINTS2023 | Brockbank Signs New Deal
  26. Web site: Thijs Timmermans among trio to depart St Patrick’s Athletic. Andrew. Dempsey. extratime.com.
  27. https://www.radcliffefc.com/news/harry-brockbank-signs-for-the-boro-2826244.html, Harry Brockbank signs for the Boro, Radcliffe FC, 9 January 2024
  28. https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/24111855.ex-bolton-wanderers-man-harry-brockbank-makes-bury-bow/ The Bolton News: "Ex-Bolton Wanderers man Harry Brockbank on Bury loan switch"
  29. https://buryfc.co.uk/two-added-to-bolster-squad/ Bury: "TWO ADDED TO BOLSTER SQUAD"
  30. https://twitter.com/harry_brockbank/status/1351186071116255235 @harry_brockbank: "I feel honoured to be able to announce that I’ve taken on a role as Mental Health Ambassador for Bolton Wanderers. I’ll be helping to support our Community Trust with their vital work and I’ll do as much as I can to help people with their battles against Mental Health issues.
  31. https://twitter.com/OfficialBWFC/status/1395752999587352580 @OfficialBWFC: "@harry_brockbank with his @PFA Community Champion Award for 2020/21. For a young man to come forward with a passion and a desire to help people with their Mental Health deserves great credit!
  32. Web site: Evatt explains why Huddersfield defender Jackson has had to bide his time. The Bolton News.
  33. Web site: Wanderers boss Ian Evatt drops hint on which outfield player could go in goal. The Bolton News.
  34. Web site: Bolton defender on Wanderers injury return, home form and Cheltenham Town. John. McDougall. 15 January 2021. Manchester Evening News.
  35. https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/radcliffe/appearances/harry-brockbank/961614 Radcliffe – Appearances – Harry Brockbank
  36. https://www.nwcfl.com/player-details.php?id=12226 NWCFL - HARRY BROCKBANK
  37. https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?comp_id=4 Soccerbase: League Two 2020/21 Table