Background
Brewis was born in Tynemouth and played his early football with various colliery clubs, including West Stanley (in the North Eastern League, from where he joined Newark Town of the Midland League in 1929.
Brewis was born in Tynemouth and played his early football with various colliery clubs, including West Stanley (in the North Eastern League, from where he joined Newark Town of the Midland League in 1929.
Early career
After a year at Newark, now aged 23, Brewis moved into the Football League when he was signed by York City of the Third Division North in July 1930. Southampton
In March 1932, Brewis was signed for Southampton of the Second Division by recently appointed manager George Kay as cover for Bill Fraser and Arthur Wilson. Brewis made his debut on 19 March 1932, replacing Charlie Sillett who had been drafted in at inside-left whilst Wilson was injured, before losing his place on Wilson"s return for the following match, although Brewis made a further five appearances in the 1931-1932 season.
During the summer of 1932, the Saints" worsening financial position resulted in the sales of both Fraser (to Fulham) and Wilson (to West Ham United) leaving Brewis as the only recognised inside-right, with Herbert Coates being recalled at inside-left.
Despite the sales in the summer, the Saints" side had a settled look in 1932-1933, with ten players making 30 or more appearances. Brewis and Coates became established as the inside-forwards, with Ted Drake in the centre, and Dick Neal and Johnny Arnold on the wings.
Brewis scored ten goals from 31 League appearances, including a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Manchester United on 3 September 1932. Described as "not a tall man", Brewis "had the knack of hanging in the air to head improbable goals".
Brewis retained his place for the next two seasons, although he missed a substantial part of the 1934-1935 season, when he was replaced by Fred Tully.
Foreign the following season, Tully became the settled Number.8, and Brewis played less than half the matches, mostly as a half-back. Although Brewis remained at The Dell for a further year, he only appeared three timers in 1936-1937, before he was released in the 1937 close season. Brewis then spent two seasons on the Isle of Wight with Newport before joining the Royal Navy in 1939.
After the war, Brewis became a publican, running the Durham Hotel in Northam, Southampton.