Hollands & Blair call on goalkeeper Harry Brooks as late injury replacement and he plays in 1-0 win over Phoenix Sports – Free agent goalie plays for Folkestone on Tuesday night after another short-notice request

Well-travelled goalkeeper Harry Brooks has made several ‘debuts’ for Hollands & Blair and might have just made his most memorable one yet.

Brooks has stepped in to cover at Blair on several previous occasions during his decade-long spell in the non-league game and when he picked up a text from the manager last Friday, he was only too happy to help.

Brooks is making a habit of standing in at short notice. He played for Folkestone Invicta on Tuesday night at Dover – answering their appeal for a keeper after a 2pm request!

“It’s becoming a bit of a theme,” he joked. “It was a brilliant game though – probably the best pre-season game I’ve played in.”

He came in at just 24 hours’ notice to help Blair stun pre-season Southern Counties East League Premier Division promotion favourites Phoenix Sports with a 1-0 win.

Brooks was all set to turn out for his local cricket side before Blair boss Darren Blackburn called for help.

“It was a bit of a mad one,” explained the goalkeeper, following his weekend game.

“I was meant to go play some cricket on Saturday for my local club, Northdown.

“Darren messaged me at half 10 on Thursday night, but I was already in bed! I woke up Friday to a message saying, ‘My keeper’s picked up a knee injury, fancy helping me out?’ I said yes right away.

“Luckily, the cricket team got a last-minute replacement, so I didn’t leave them too short.”

The following day, the 29-year-old was between the sticks keeping a clean sheet - and helping Blair secure their first opening-day win in seven years.

“That result meant so much to everyone around the club,” said the stopper, who ended last season at Wembley as Whitstable Town’s back-up goalkeeper in their FA Vase win.

He’s become something of a lucky charm for