Philip Bratley


Philip Wright Bratley was a footballer who played for Rawmarsh, Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley, Liverpool, Rotherham Town, Rotherham County and Worksop. He played at Centre Half.

Club career

Phil Bratley started his footballing career with his local amateur side Rawmarsh before transferring to Football League Second Division side Doncaster Rovers in 1902 where he played three games between 27 September and 11 October. He then moved closer to home when he joined Rotherham Town before moving on to the more successful Rotherham County. In 1910 he joined Barnsley as a replacement for Tommy Boyle who had been sold to Burnley. He scored Barnsley's winning goal in their semi-final replay with Swindon and won a FA Cup winners medal in the final when Barnsley beat West Bromwich Albion in a replay after the first match ended goalless. Bratley almost scored in the replay; Barnsley had forced a corner and Bratley headed the ball towards the line, only a jumping save at the edge of the goal by Pearson the WBA goalkeeper prevented a goal.
He left Barnsley in late 1914 and transferred to Liverpool. He played a total of 13 games before leaving during the First World War. After the war he played again for Rotherham County and Worksop. He died in 1962.

Personal life

In December 1915, during the First World War, Bratley attested under the Derby Scheme and was placed in the Army Reserve. In April 1918, he was mobilised into the Coldstream Guards, but did not see combat before his demobilisation in January 1919.

Honours

Barnsley