31 Facts About Trevor Brooking

Sir Trevor David Brooking was born on 2 October 1948 and is a former England international footballer, manager, pundit and football administrator; he now works as director of football development in England.

Trevor Brooking won the 1975 FA Cup and the 1980 FA Cup in which he scored the only goal.

Trevor Brooking was the club's player of the season on four occasions and caretaker manager on two occasions in 2003.

Trevor Brooking was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1981, elevated to Commander of same order in 1999, and knighted in 2004.

Trevor David Brooking was born on 2 October 1948 in Barking, Essex, to mother Margaret and father Henry Charles, who was a police officer in the Metropolitan Police.

Trevor Brooking attended Ripple Infants School and left Ilford County High School with 11 O-levels and 2 A-levels.

However, West Ham manager Ron Greenwood watched him with scout Wally St Pier, and Trevor Brooking was offered apprenticeships by all three clubs, with only West Ham allowing him to stay on at school to finish his studies.

In June 1967, Trevor Brooking made his senior debut in a friendly for West Ham against Grasshopper Zurich in Switzerland.

In December 1969, during his third season, Trevor Brooking chipped a bone in his ankle in a game against Nottingham Forest.

However, he returned to playing and with the departure of Martin Peters to Tottenham in March 1970, Trevor Brooking became a regular in midfield.

However, the failure of the defensive partnership between Bobby Moore and Alan Stephenson saw Stephenson dropped and Taylor being moved into defence; Trevor Brooking remained an ever-present for the rest of the season and was voted Hammer of the Year.

Trevor Brooking scored what was considered goal of the year in the Golden Goals Competition on ITV, according to the panel for the 1976 British League season.

Trevor Brooking was a member of the West Ham team which won the Second Division in 1981.

Trevor Brooking appeared in the 1975 FA Charity Shield, the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup Final, the 1980 FA Charity Shield and the 1981 Football League Cup Final.

Trevor Brooking had a testimonial match against an England XI in October 1977.

Trevor Brooking accepted an invitation to play for Blue Star in a Wearside League game against Coundon on 28 April 1985.

In 1985, Trevor Brooking played six times for Western Australian club Kelmscott, helping to coach the club's youth sides.

Later that year, Trevor Brooking played briefly for Cork City, making two appearances.

Trevor Brooking played 47 times, scoring five goals but only appeared twice in major tournaments.

Trevor Brooking was primarily right-footed, but was comfortable on his left foot, due to repeated practice.

Trevor Brooking played as an attacking midfield player, known for his controlled passing and midfield authority.

Trevor Brooking lacked pace, leading to another nickname, Boog, after a slow baseball player called Boog Powell the team had witnessed during a tour of the US.

Trevor Brooking was rarely booked or sent off during his West Ham career and due to his gentlemanly approach to the game where he rarely contested a referee's decision he picked up another nickname, Hadleigh, after a television upper class and urbane detective played by Gerald Harper.

In 1984, Trevor Brooking joined the BBC as a pundit, and has featured on radio and television commentary since, including the BBC's Match of the Day and coverage of World Cups and European Championships.

Trevor Brooking was the co-commentator in the Pro Evolution Soccer video game series, alongside Peter Brackley until Pro Evolution Soccer 6.

Trevor Brooking was chair of the Eastern Region Council for Sport and Recreation from 1987 until 1997, and between 1999 and 2002 he was chairman of Sport England.

Trevor Brooking was a key part of the selection process for the successor of Sven-Goran Eriksson, revealed in May 2006 to be Steve McClaren.

In 1970, along with schoolfriend Colin McGowan, Trevor Brooking started a book binding company, Colbrook Plastics Limited in Stratford, East London.

Trevor Brooking was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex in 2001.

Trevor Brooking was appointed as Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1981, elevated to Commander of same Order in 1999, and knighted in 2004.

In November 2015, Trevor Brooking was awarded 'Global Football Ambassador' at the 4th annual Football Business Awards.