You should think of John Brodie every time you site down to
watch Match of the Day as he was the inventor of a key feature of
football. While standing as a spectator he had the simple but then revolutionary idea of
putting nets on the goal frame thus making it much clearer if a goal had been scored. He derived a considerable financial benefit from patenting this
idea which, allied to his salary as Liverpool’s City Engineer, allowed him to
live in some style.
John
Brodie was appointed City Engineer for Liverpool in 1898. He was one of the
first to suggest the installation of an electric tram system for Liverpool
and the development of a ring road, Queens Drive, linking the city's outlying
districts. Brodie also put forward the scheme for building the East Lancashire
Road. International recognition came in 1912 when he was invited to help
with the selection of the site and the planning of the new capital of India at
Delhi.
Brodie Lived at 28 Ullet Road L17 and this house
bears an English Heritage blue commemorative plaque. He moved to Aigburth Hall,
a substantial mansion on Aigburth Road facing Liverpool Cricket club, living
there until his death in 1934. He was cremated at Anfield Crematorium.
The wide suburban thoroughfare of Brodie Avenue is
named after him, as is a pub on Allerton Road.
