Two Mexborough heroes under the spotlight

THE LIVES and achievements of two Mexborough figures with links to national success will come under the spotlight next week.
Eric BrookEric Brook
Eric Brook

Historian Bill Lawrence will relate the life and career of footballer Eric Brook, who became Manchester City’s record goalscorer, during a talk at the Concertina Band Club in Dolcliffe Road on Wednesday, April 25, from 7.15pm.

Meanwhile, a tribute to John Fisher, the teacher who inspired poet Ted Hughes, will be held at St John the Baptist Church on Church Street from 7pm on Tuesday, April 24.

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In “Eric Brook: He's One of Our Own”, Mexborough Heritage Society chairman Bill will describe Eric’s route from Mexborough to Maine Road and his crowing glory of England caps and FA Cup success.

“Since Eric's death in 1965, his wonderful playing career and his achievements have very largely been forgotten,” said Bill.

“Much research remains to be undertaken on Eric's career but with the help of Eric’s local relations, I have been able to piece together a little about his remarkable life.

“I hope the talk can perhaps produce more interesting stories about Eric and that Eric’s story now stands along side that of other Mexborough greats and is never again forgotten.”

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Admission for the event is £1.50 for heritage society members, £2.50 for non-members and £1 for the unemployed.

The tribute event to John Fisher is called He Could Teach Me Anything and will honour former Mexborough Grammar School teacher John Fisher, who taught the future Poet Laureate.

The Ted Hughes Project (South Yorkshire) is hosting the event.

Dr Steve Ely, director of The Ted Hughes Network, launched an appeal for memories of the popular teacher recently and people are encouraged to take along their own Fisher-related stories and photographs on the night.

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Mr Fisher taught at the Grammar School from 1937 to 1973 and had such an impact on Ted Hughes that he kept in touch with him throughout his life.

When Mr Fisher became ill with terminal cancer in 1979, Mr Hughes visited him almost every weekend and composed and read a moving eulogy for him at his funeral at Mexborough St John the Baptist Church.

Doors open from 6.30pm and the event is free to attend.

Places can be reserved at the open event here or by emailing [email protected], but people can also just turn up.

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