Penn hopes memory of ‘Halesowen Town great‘ Colin Brookes can inspire Yeltz
“Colin Brookes will always be a Halesowen Town great,” said manager Russell Penn, who hopes the club legend’s death can inspire his side tomorrow.
This week, the Yeltz announced the passing of club president Brookes, aged 83, prompting an outpouring of love and tributes from the local football community and beyond.
When Halesowen step onto the pitch at The Grove against Bishop’s Stortford tomorrow, Penn hopes Brookes’ legacy can drive them on.
“I hope it motivates them,” he said. “We have got to celebrate the life of Colin, now the dust has settled and we have seen the outpouring of love.
“I spoke to his daughter on Wednesday, and what a way to go out, watching your favourite club.
“His daughter said, if she could write a way for him to go out, it would be this way. He was a comedian and would have laughed at this.
“You have to celebrate these lives, he had a fantastic innings, a real colourful one, and would want nothing more than for us to go and perform and let loose on Bishop’s Stortford.”
Penn added: “I have been at the club for 18 months, but I knew him many years before that - he was close to my grandad John Penn.
“He has been at the club for more than 25 years, he and the chairman had a fantastic relationship. He has probably done every job at the club, and he is one of those men who have built a legacy.
“Colin Brookes will always be a Halesowen great and live forever in the club’s history, and he would want nothing more than for us to go out and perform and hopefully get three points.”
The Yeltz have lost just once in their last seven Southern Central Premier games and have won six of their nine home matches.
Penn continued: “We are in good form, but it means nothing, you have to respect the opposition and be ready.
“They have a good manager and have seemed to stabilise. They had a fantastic start to the season and then it has levelled out, but I think the whole league has.
“You have got to build momentum and I certainly think we are doing that now. We go into a big home game, in front of a big crowd, full of confidence.”
Meanwhile, rivals Stourbridge visit Kettering Town looking to end their 12-game winless run in the league.
The Glassboys sit 19th, eight points adrift from safety, and have won just once on the road so far this season.
In the Northern Premier League, leaders Hednesford Town travel to Ashton United looking to claim their sixth straight win while 16th-placed Rushall Olympic host Hebburn Town.
In the National League North, Kidderminster Harriers, who are without a win in their last three league games, welcome Chorley.
