Ben Brookes

**Last statistical update: 17:51, 20 March 2023 (UTC)**

**Ben Brookes** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

At youth level, Brookes was "in and out of academies". He notably played for West Ham United at around the age of 10, having shared a squad with future HTU teammate Luke Hirst. As well as West Ham, Brookes also played in Chelsea's academy.

Tower Hamlets
Brookes played for Tower Hamlets during the 2019–20 campaign. He made his debut for the club on 3 August 2019 off the bench during a 7–0 league defeat away to Walthamstow. He again came on as a substitute three days later in the Essex Senior League versus Woodford Town, before making his starting bow on 10 August at home to Selsey in the FA Cup extra preliminary round. His first league start arrived on 14 August in a 6–0 defeat to HTU. Brookes scored his first (and only) Tower Hamlets goal on 2 November against St. Margaretsbury, prior to leaving at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 after 26 games.

Basildon United
On 25 September 2020, Brookes joined Isthmian League - North Division side Basildon United. He debuted a day later in an FA Trophy penalty shoot-out defeat to Northwood, in what was his only appearance in 2020–21; predominantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing an early curtailment. His next appearance came in an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie with Stansted on 7 August 2021, with his first Isthmian League appearance coming a week later during a 1–1 draw away to Felixstowe & Walton United. Brookes remained with Basildon until the succeeding November, appearing a total of 13 times for *The Bees*.

Great Wakering Rovers
In November 2021, Brookes moved across to fellow Isthmian League - North Division team Great Wakering Rovers. He made his bow as a starter in a 3–0 home league victory over Romford on 13 November. After further showings against Phoenix Sports and Maldon & Tiptree to finish the month, the then-midfielder netted his second senior goal on 4 December in a 4–3 loss to HTU; converting a powerful free-kick for a 3–1 lead, though *Rovers* would later concede three to lose in the second half. Brookes departed in February 2022 after 13 appearances.

### HTU

2021–22
On 4 February 2022, HTU announced the signing of Brookes. He made his debut in an Isthmian League - North Division draw away to Romford on 5 February. He notched his first assist for *The Tags* in his second appearance as HTU lost 4–3 on the road to Heybridge Swifts on 12 February. Three further assists followed in his next six matches, which included two in one game in a 3–3 home league draw with Stowmarket Town on 19 March. In his 10th appearance, on 2 April away to Grays Athletic, Brookes netted his first HTU goal; in what was his antepenultimate match of 2021–22.

2022–23
In 2022–23, Brookes featured in three pre-season fixtures though would miss the start of the campaign through injury. In his first competitive appearance back, the defender notched his second goal for HTU in a two-goal win in the Isthmian League - North Division at home to Heybridge Swifts on 15 October 2022. On 28 January 2023, Brookes was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the opening 8 minutes of a 3–2 league win at Wroxham. Three days later, on 31 January, the defender departed *The Tags* after 2 goals in 32 appearances.

### Post-HTU

Chelmsford City
On 31 January 2023, Brookes switched the eighth tier with HTU for the sixth tier with Chelmsford City of the National League South. After debuting later that day against Hungerford Town, the defender scored his first goal for the club during his 8th appearance on 6 March versus Dulwich Hamlet.

## Style of Play

During the 2021–22 campaign with Great Wakering Rovers, Brookes transitioned from a midfielder to a defender due to injuries in that position to other players.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (32)
* List of appearances of Ben Brookes

Goals (2)
Grays Athletic  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Heybridge Swifts

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Ben Georgie Brookes player stats" .
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Hashtag United vs Haringey Borough" , 24 October 2022.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "TRANSFER NEWS: HASHTAG SIGN BEN BROOKES" , 4 February 2022.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Basildon United - Appearances - Ben Brookes - 2021-2022" .
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Great Wakering Rovers - Appearances - Ben Brookes - 2021-2022" .
6. ↑ "BREAKING: Brookes SIGNS" , 25 September 2020.
7. ↑ "Ben Brookes joins Chelmsford City" , 31 January 2023.
8. ↑ "Q&A ABOUT HASHTAG & MY LIFE ! (FOOTBALLERS EDITION !)" , 28 February 2022.