Brian Brotherston

Brian Brotherston (born 15 March 1958 in Edinburgh, Scotland) was the youngest ever Scottish schoolboy signed professional football player.

Football Career

Bobby Seith himself a product of the youth system signed Brotherston to Heart Of Midlothian F.C. at the age of 13 on a S Form having previously played with Ferranti Thistle F.C. from childhood. Brotherston however never played a first grade professional game and only lasted two seasons at Tynecastle.

From an early age Brotherston was a natural striker. In one season Brotherston captured the player of the year award for his junior club Ferranti Thistle after scoring 38 goals in a season and leading the team to be champions in an unbeaten season. This was noticed by the selectors of many 1st division clubs but as his great-grandfather was once Chairman, Hearts was his natural choice.

As an apprentice Brotherston became disillusioned with the life of a soccer player as training appeared to play a more important part than the actual playing of the game. Although still playing with his amateur side sporadically his lack of match experience showed at Hearts and he was released from his contract by John Hagart when he took over management at Tynecastle.

Brotherston returned to play for amateur side Ferranti Thistle F.C. as a senior player and was once again successful in leading his team to a championship win however his football playing days ended when he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a chronic disease marked by stiffness and inflammation of the joints and loss of mobility.

When Brotherston's health returned he was once again back with Thistle (now Meadowbank Thistle) but in a coaching / management role and successfully coached his team to three successive season championships.

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