Stanley Kevin Brookes (2 February 1953 â 11 December 2025) was an English footballer who played for Doncaster Rovers and KV Mechelen as a defender.
Brookes attended the Percy Jackson Grammar School, Doncaster, 1964 entrant.
After playing for the Doncaster Rovers Juniors, Brookes signed a professional contract with club, then in English Division 4, in February 1971. His debut came in a 1âÂÂ0 home defeat to Barrow on 28 August 1971. His first goal came in the following season on 20 February in a 2âÂÂ1 win at Chester City.
In April 1975, he took over in goal in a game against Exeter City. Rovers were losing 2âÂÂ0 at the time and came back to draw 3âÂÂ3.
He made a total of 263 League and Cup appearances, scoring 7 goals.
Along with fellow Brit Keith Coleman from West Ham, Brookes joined KV Mechelen of the Belgian Second Division for the 1977âÂÂ78 season, managed by John Talbut. He stayed there for six seasons, including one in the First Division.
Brookes died on 11 December 2025, at the age of 72.
A year earlier, Brookes, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, had appeared in an episode of the Belgian program Pano, which discussed the dangers of heading in football. Soon after he was diagnosed with dementia, this was linked to his footballing past as a header expert.
Doncaster Rovers
KV Mechelen