Roger Brown (footballer) explained

Roger Brown
Fullname:Roger William Brown[1]
Birth Date:1952 12, df=y
Birth Place:Tamworth, England
Death Place:Tamworth, England
Height:[2]
Position:Defender
Youthclubs1:Dosthill Rovers
Youthclubs2:Bolehall Swifts
Youthclubs3:Walsall
Years2:1974–1978
Clubs2:Leamington
Years3:1978–1979
Clubs3:Bournemouth
Caps3:63
Goals3:3
Years4:1979–1980
Clubs4:Norwich City
Caps4:16
Goals4:0
Years5:1980–1983
Caps5:141
Goals5:18
Years6:1983–1986
Caps6:84
Goals6:5
Years7:1986
Years8:1986–1987
Totalcaps:304
Totalgoals:26
Manageryears1:1986–1987
Managerclubs1:Poole Town
Manageryears2:1987–1988
Managerclubs2:Colchester United
Manageryears3:1993–1994
Managerclubs3:Bolehall Swifts

Roger William Brown (12 December 1952 – 17 August 2011) was an English football manager and player who played as a defender. He made over 300 Football League appearances in total, playing for Bournemouth in two spells, Norwich City and Fulham.

He managed Colchester United between 1987 and 1988.

Playing career

Brown, born in Tamworth, began his career with local club Dosthill Rovers, later moving to Bolehall Swifts, before joining Walsall as an apprentice in 1970, but failed to earn a contract with the club.[3] Following this, he joined Paget Rangers[1] and then moved to Leamington after becoming a production manager at an engineering firm based in the town.[3]

In February 1978, Brown was signed by John Benson at Bournemouth following the recommendation to him by Harry Redknapp after he had played alongside Brown at Leamington after a spell in the US with Seattle Sounders. He signed for a fee of £10,000, breaking the pro ranks at the age of 25.[4] He made 63 league appearances for the Cherries, scoring three times before[5] earning an £85,000 transfer to First Division club Norwich City in July 1979, following manager John Bond.[4]

During his stint with City, Brown accumulated 21 appearances in all competitions prior to being sold to Fulham in March 1980 for £100,000,[4] [6] helping the club to an impressive 12th position in the league.[3]

On his debut against Chelsea, Brown was injured, but he went on to become a fans favourite, leading the side to promotion to the Second Division in 1981–82 and scoring the winning goal against Lincoln City to seal promotion.[3] He made 141 appearances and scored 18 times for the Cottagers.[6]

In December 1983, Brown returned to Dean Court for a second spell with Bournemouth, signed by then-rookie manager Harry Redknapp for £35,000.[1] Just weeks after his return, Brown captained the side during one of the greatest shocks in the history of the FA Cup by defeating holders Manchester United 2–0. The Bournemouth side were struggling in the Third Division at the time as he played an important central defensive role to keep the United stars at bay.[4]

Brown made 84 appearances and scored five goals in his second stint with Bournemouth,[5] also winning an Associate Members' Cup medal in 1984[3] before he departed for non-league football once again, playing for Weymouth and Poole Town.[1]

Managerial career

Brown began his managerial career while with Poole Town, becoming player-manager during the 1986–87 season. He was then signed to become manager of Colchester United in November 1987[1] following the sensational sacking of previous manager Mike Walker when the side were joint-top of the Fourth Division. From 1 January 1988 when the club were top of the league to the end of the season, Brown's team won just five games to finish ninth – the lowest position for the club in 15 seasons. Brown brought in his own players during the summer, only for the team to collapse to an 8–0 away defeat to Leyton Orient on 15 October 1988. Following this result, the U's record defeat, Brown was promptly sacked.[7]

Brown would later go on to manage Bolehall Swifts alongside his brother Gary from 1993 to 1994.[3]

Death

Roger Brown died on 17 August 2011 aged 58 after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his two children, Katie and Mark, three grandchildren Summer, Mia and Olivia, and his two brothers Gary and Paul, and sister Gail. [1] [3] [4] [6]

Managerial statistics

All statistics referenced by:[8]

Honours

Bournemouth

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Roger Brown Tribute . Brakes Trust . 16 March 2013 .
  2. Book: Dunk, Peter . Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 . 74 . Queen Anne Press . 20 August 1987 . 978-0-3561435-4-5 . 1 May 2020.
  3. Web site: Footballer Roger Brown dies aged 58 . This Is Tamworth . 16 March 2013 .
  4. Web site: Cherries: Harry in tribute to defender Roger . Bournemouth Echo . 17 March 2013 .
  5. Web site: ROGER BROWN . Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database . 17 March 2013 .
  6. Web site: Flown From the Nest – Roger Brown . Flown From the Nest . 17 March 2013 .
  7. Web site: The 1970s and 1980s. Colchester United FC . 17 March 2013 .
  8. Web site: Roger Brown – Soccer Base . Soccerbase . 17 March 2013.