Alan Brazil
Encyclopedia
Alan Bernard Brazil is a Scottish
former football player and broadcaster. He was a forward before retirement due to injury. He is now a radio presenter on Talksport
.
in 1977 where he stayed until 1983, appearing a total of 210 times, and scoring 80 goals. He was not in the squad that won the FA Cup
in 1978, but was a key player by the time they won the UEFA Cup
in 1981, the same year that finished runners-up in the league. He remained an integral part of their side when they finished runners-up in the league once more the following season.
In 1978, he played for the Detroit Express
in the North American Soccer League
, appearing in 21 regular season games, and 3 playoff games, scoring 10 goals in total. He then moved back to England to join Tottenham Hotspur
in March 1983 for the season, making 31 appearances, and scoring 9 times. In June 1984 he joined Manchester United
for a fee of £625,000. He stayed with United for two seasons, making a total of 41 appearances in the League, the League Cup
, the FA Cup
and the UEFA Cup
. He scored 16 goals whilst with them.
In 1986, he transferred to Coventry
for £300,000, for a season, making 15 league appearances and scoring twice. Brazil was given a free transfer to Queens Park Rangers by Coventry. He made a total of 4 appearances for them, failing to score, and went on to play for Bury Town
and Chelmsford City. His playing career ended at the age of 27 due to a serious back injury.
, Charlie Nicholas, Mo Johnston
, Steve Archibald
, Paul Sturrock
and Andy Gray who were preferred to Brazil.
, then Graham Beecroft
and currently co-presents with Ronnie Irani
. The show has since been renamed the 'Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast'. Brazil was sacked from the position in 2004, after the Breakfast Show was broadcast at the Cheltenham Festival
, from Tuesday to Thursday. Brazil missed the Friday show, but was reinstated.
Brazil has several catchphrases the most common being "Why" which is often said in quick repetition. On hearing a location Alan will usually say "I've never been" or "beautiful" depending on whether or not he has visited it.
, by Jim Torbett. When Torbett was charged and tried in 1996, Brazil was a witness for the prosecution. Torbett was found guilty on child abuse
charges and sentenced to two years in prison.
A fan of horse racing
, in 2003 he formed the Alan Brazil Racing Club based at Newmarket near to his home in Suffolk
. In 2006 Brazil published a book co-written with Mike Parry
called "There's an Awful Lot of Bubbly in Brazil" This was followed in 2007 by "Both Barrels from Brazil – My War against the Numpties", again co-written with Parry.
In September 2007, Brazil was arrested near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on suspicion of drink-driving. He was convicted, banned from driving for 20 months, and given a £750 fine, as well as being ordered to pay £470 compensation to the court. In court Brazil pleaded not guilty, though at the time of his arrest, he admitted to having drunk a bottle of wine and being over the legal alcohol limit.
Tottenham Hotspur
, his liver transplant and the booze culture in football. Don’t forget, the best caller wins a crate of John Smith’s
.'
'One moment I'm playing football and the next – whack – I wake up in hospital unconscious.'
'He held his head in his hands as it flashed past the post.'
'The tackles are coming in thick and thin'.
'Roy Keane
, his face punches the air...'
Alan Brazil: "I was sad to hear yesterday about the death of Inspector Morse, TV's John Shaw."
Mike Parry
: "John Thaw, Alan."
Alan Brazil: "Do you know, I've been doing that all morning. John, if you're listening, sorry mate."
"The man is United – cut him and he bleeds red". His evaluation on Sir Alex Ferguson
.
"Villa have had a complete reservation of fortunes." After Martin O'Neill
took over as manager of Aston Villa.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former football player and broadcaster. He was a forward before retirement due to injury. He is now a radio presenter on Talksport
TalkSPORT
Talksport , owned by UTV radio, is one of the United Kingdom's three terrestrial analogue Independent National Radio broadcasters, offering a sports and talk radio service broadcast from London to the United Kingdom....
.
Club career
Brazil started his career in England with Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
in 1977 where he stayed until 1983, appearing a total of 210 times, and scoring 80 goals. He was not in the squad that won the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in 1978, but was a key player by the time they won the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
in 1981, the same year that finished runners-up in the league. He remained an integral part of their side when they finished runners-up in the league once more the following season.
In 1978, he played for the Detroit Express
Detroit Express
The Detroit Express was a soccer team based in suburban Detroit that played in the now defunct North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1980. Its home field was the Pontiac Silverdome. The Express were co-owned and directed by famous English soccer pundit Jimmy Hill who was also the managing...
in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, appearing in 21 regular season games, and 3 playoff games, scoring 10 goals in total. He then moved back to England to join Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
in March 1983 for the season, making 31 appearances, and scoring 9 times. In June 1984 he joined Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
for a fee of £625,000. He stayed with United for two seasons, making a total of 41 appearances in the League, the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
and the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. He scored 16 goals whilst with them.
In 1986, he transferred to Coventry
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
for £300,000, for a season, making 15 league appearances and scoring twice. Brazil was given a free transfer to Queens Park Rangers by Coventry. He made a total of 4 appearances for them, failing to score, and went on to play for Bury Town
Bury Town F.C.
Bury Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club, based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Ram Meadow.-Early history:...
and Chelmsford City. His playing career ended at the age of 27 due to a serious back injury.
International career
He also made 13 appearances for the Scottish national team, the most notable of which saw him playing in the World Cup finals in Spain. He was the youngest member of the Scotland squad at the finals. His international appearances were limited as Scotland had a number of other strikers at this time such as Kenny DalglishKenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
, Charlie Nicholas, Mo Johnston
Mo Johnston
Maurice John Giblin "Mo" Johnston is a former football striker.Johnston began his football career with Partick Thistle in 1981 before moving to Watford in 1983. With Watford Johnston scored 23 league goals, made his international debut, and helped the team reach the 1984 FA Cup Final...
, Steve Archibald
Steve Archibald
Steven Archibald is a former Scottish football player and manager.- Club career :He first came to prominence playing in midfield for Scottish First Division side Clyde, but was converted to striker when he signed for Aberdeen, forging a prolific partnership with Joe Harper...
, Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
and Andy Gray who were preferred to Brazil.
Media career
In 2001 Brazil joined radio station talkSPORT as a co-presenter on the weekday 6–10am programme. He started off co-presenting with Station Director, Mike ParryMike Parry
Mike Parry is a British journalist and radio presenter.-Early life:Born in Chester, Parry attended The King's School, Chester, and later Trent Polytechnic.-Journalism career:...
, then Graham Beecroft
Graham Beecroft
Graham 'Beeky' Beecroft is a British radio personality currently working on Century Radio 105.4. He lives in the Wirral, near Liverpool. He is a former Quantity Surveyor and mobile disco DJ....
and currently co-presents with Ronnie Irani
Ronnie Irani
Ronald Charles "Ronnie" Irani is a former England cricketer who spent most of his career at Essex County Cricket Club, latterly as captain. He is of Irani descent, the Iranis being a community of Persian Zoroastrians who immigrated to India during the British Raj...
. The show has since been renamed the 'Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast'. Brazil was sacked from the position in 2004, after the Breakfast Show was broadcast at the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
, from Tuesday to Thursday. Brazil missed the Friday show, but was reinstated.
Brazil has several catchphrases the most common being "Why" which is often said in quick repetition. On hearing a location Alan will usually say "I've never been" or "beautiful" depending on whether or not he has visited it.
Personal life
In the early 1970s, Brazil was subject to abuse at Celtic Boys ClubCeltic Boys Club
-External links:*...
, by Jim Torbett. When Torbett was charged and tried in 1996, Brazil was a witness for the prosecution. Torbett was found guilty on child abuse
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
charges and sentenced to two years in prison.
A fan of horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, in 2003 he formed the Alan Brazil Racing Club based at Newmarket near to his home in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
. In 2006 Brazil published a book co-written with Mike Parry
Mike Parry
Mike Parry is a British journalist and radio presenter.-Early life:Born in Chester, Parry attended The King's School, Chester, and later Trent Polytechnic.-Journalism career:...
called "There's an Awful Lot of Bubbly in Brazil" This was followed in 2007 by "Both Barrels from Brazil – My War against the Numpties", again co-written with Parry.
In September 2007, Brazil was arrested near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on suspicion of drink-driving. He was convicted, banned from driving for 20 months, and given a £750 fine, as well as being ordered to pay £470 compensation to the court. In court Brazil pleaded not guilty, though at the time of his arrest, he admitted to having drunk a bottle of wine and being over the legal alcohol limit.
Club
Ipswich Town- UEFA Cup (1): 1980–811981 UEFA Cup FinalThe 1981 UEFA Cup Final was the two-legged final of the 1980–81 UEFA Cup, the tenth season of the UEFA Cup, UEFA's second-tier club football tournament. The matches were contested between Ipswich Town of England and AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands; despite losing the second leg of the final 4–2,...
Tottenham Hotspur
- UEFA Cup (1): 1983–841984 UEFA Cup FinalThe 1984 UEFA Cup Final was a football tie played on 9 May and 23 May 1984 between R.S.C. Anderlecht of Belgium and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. of England. Tottenham won 4–3 on penalty kicks after the tie finished 2–2 on aggregate.-First leg:...
Quotes
'Our talking point this morning is George BestGeorge Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
, his liver transplant and the booze culture in football. Don’t forget, the best caller wins a crate of John Smith’s
John Smith's Brewery
John Smith's is a brewery founded in 1758 by Backhouse & Hartley at Tadcaster in North Yorkshire, England. John Smith bought the brewery in 1847. John Smith's is the sixth highest selling beer brand in the United Kingdom, and the highest selling ale brand. The brewery is currently owned by...
.'
'One moment I'm playing football and the next – whack – I wake up in hospital unconscious.'
'He held his head in his hands as it flashed past the post.'
'The tackles are coming in thick and thin'.
'Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
, his face punches the air...'
Alan Brazil: "I was sad to hear yesterday about the death of Inspector Morse, TV's John Shaw."
Mike Parry
Mike Parry
Mike Parry is a British journalist and radio presenter.-Early life:Born in Chester, Parry attended The King's School, Chester, and later Trent Polytechnic.-Journalism career:...
: "John Thaw, Alan."
Alan Brazil: "Do you know, I've been doing that all morning. John, if you're listening, sorry mate."
"The man is United – cut him and he bleeds red". His evaluation on Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
.
"Villa have had a complete reservation of fortunes." After Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
took over as manager of Aston Villa.