After a few non-league seasons with north-eastern clubs, Tom Brewis had graduated, via Midland League Newark, (where he was on £3 a week less £1 when he found employment), to York City of the Football League’s Division III (N). With Southampton struggling financially, it needed a loan from a director, Mr. Hopkinson, to bring Brewis to Second Division football at The Dell. Southampton had not yet been reduced to selling off their silver – the likes of John Arnold, Mike Keeping and Ted Drake – but they were letting go of their bronze and brass. Thus, their sale in the summer of 1932 included inside-forwards Bill Fraser and Arthur Wilson, paving the way for Brewis to start the 1932-33 season at inside-right.

He opened his Saints account with a hat-trick against Manchester United

and went on to a season’s tally of 10 goals in 31 matches. That was as good as it got. Tom’s play was described as “scientific” and – defying his lack of height – he could hang in the air and head unlikely goals. But these assets availed him little over the rest of his stay, during which he never scored more than three times a season. After this, he dropped down to the Hampshire League with Newport.

He became a hotelier in Chapel Road, Northam, Southampton, at the Durham Tavern but sold up and once he settled his wife and son back in Newcastle joined the Navy in July 1941 serving on the North Atlantic convoys (see his scrapbook page). He did, however, play again at The Dell when, in May 1942, he appeared for the HMS Victory when they beat Andover in the Russell Coates Cup. Afterward, still in Newcastle, he became a French Polisher.