Derby County: A real class act

THE late 1940s saw Derby County field some wonderful players, writes Anton Rippon.

Some of them were attracted to the Rams after their 1946 FA Cup Final triumph over Charlton Athletic.

Our picture this month shows the great Frank Broome in training.

Broome was already a star by the time he signed for Derby from Aston Villa in September 1946.

Villa’s leading scorer in the last three seasons before the start of the Second World War, he was the first man to play in all five forward positions (as recognised in those days) for the full England side.

And, although he was 31 when the Rams took him on, he was still a top-class player.

He soon showed he had lost none of his speed and cutting edge, as his Derby career record of 45 goals in 119 appearances testifies.

Broome could switch from centre-forward to outside-right or left with ease.

Once he even kept goal for 85 minutes in an emergency against Chelsea, keeping the great Tommy Lawton at bay for the rest of the game.

Broome was ever-present in the Derby team in 1948-49 before leaving the Baseball Ground to join Lawton at Notts County the following season.

He later played for Brentford and Crewe and managed Notts County, Exeter City (twice) and Southend United.

Broome was appointed as Derby County’s coach in 1964 but, instead, went back to work in Australian football where he had already managed several clubs.

Frank Broome was also a useful cricketer who played for the Rams cricket team in the summer.

Tim Ward used to tell the tale of how showman Frank would take catches in the deep behind his back.

Frank Broome finally retired to Ottery St Mary, near Exeter.

He died in Bournemouth in September 1994.

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