Arthur Alfred Brown
Encyclopedia
Arthur Alfred Brown was an English
footballer who played for Aston Villa
in the 1880s. He was their first international player, making three appearances for England
in 1882. Throughout his career he was known as "Digger" Brown.
, the elder brother of Albert Arthur Brown
who would also go on to have a career as a footballer with Aston Villa. Arthur began his career playing for local junior sides including Aston Cross, Aston Unity and Aston Comrades before joining the most senior club in the area, Aston Villa
in 1878. His initial spell at Villa only lasted a few weeks before he left to join Mitchell St George's.
Two years later, after spells with Birchfield Trinity and Birmingham Excelsior
, he re-joined Aston Villa. His favoured position was at inside right but he could play on either wing. Contemporary reports described him as "sturdy, though small, he could dribble through opponents with astonishing ease and grace."
His first England
cap came against Ireland
on 18 February 1882 when he played alongside his Villa colleague Howard Vaughton
. England's 13–0 victory is still the team's largest ever win; the Villa forwards "totally dominated" scoring nine goals between them, with Vaughton scoring five and Brown four. Brown "seemed set for a lengthy career" but, although he played in the two other 1882
internationals against Wales
and Scotland
(both of which resulted in defeats) he was never again selected for England. His international career spanned 23 days, in which he played three matches scoring four goals.
His club career was before the inception of The Football League
and all Brown's club games were in friendlies and in the FA Cup
. During his Villa career he played 22 FA Cup matches, scoring 15 goals, often playing alongside his team captain, Archie Hunter
. By 1886, ill-health had forced Brown to retire and he therefore missed out on the inaugural Football League season
.
He continued to keep up an interest in Villa's affairs until he died on 1 July 1909, aged 50.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who played for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in the 1880s. He was their first international player, making three appearances for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1882. Throughout his career he was known as "Digger" Brown.
Playing career
Brown was born in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, the elder brother of Albert Arthur Brown
Albert Arthur Brown
Albert Arthur Brown more commonly known as Arthur Brown was a footballer in the early years of English professional football, who played for Aston Villa from Aug 1884 - July 1894. Before playing for Villa he played for Mitchell St. George's...
who would also go on to have a career as a footballer with Aston Villa. Arthur began his career playing for local junior sides including Aston Cross, Aston Unity and Aston Comrades before joining the most senior club in the area, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in 1878. His initial spell at Villa only lasted a few weeks before he left to join Mitchell St George's.
Two years later, after spells with Birchfield Trinity and Birmingham Excelsior
Birmingham Excelsior F.C.
Birmingham Excelsior Football Club was an English football club founded in 1876.-History:Birmingham Excelsior participated in the FA Cup for five seasons, from 1883–84 to 1887–88.-Famous players:...
, he re-joined Aston Villa. His favoured position was at inside right but he could play on either wing. Contemporary reports described him as "sturdy, though small, he could dribble through opponents with astonishing ease and grace."
His first England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
cap came against Ireland
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
on 18 February 1882 when he played alongside his Villa colleague Howard Vaughton
Howard Vaughton
Oliver Howard Vaughton was an English international footballer who played as an inside left.He played as a forward for Aston Villa before the Football League was formed between 1880 and 1888. He was part of Villa's first FA Cup final victory in 1887...
. England's 13–0 victory is still the team's largest ever win; the Villa forwards "totally dominated" scoring nine goals between them, with Vaughton scoring five and Brown four. Brown "seemed set for a lengthy career" but, although he played in the two other 1882
1881-82 in English football
The 1881–1882 season was the 11th season of competitive football in England.-National team:England played Ireland for the first time. Their 13–0 victory is still the team's largest ever win.* England score given first...
internationals against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
and Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
(both of which resulted in defeats) he was never again selected for England. His international career spanned 23 days, in which he played three matches scoring four goals.
His club career was before the inception of The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and all Brown's club games were in friendlies and in 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...
. During his Villa career he played 22 FA Cup matches, scoring 15 goals, often playing alongside his team captain, Archie Hunter
Archie Hunter
Archibald "Archie" Hunter , was the first captain of Aston Villa to lift the FA Cup, in 1887. He was one of Victorian football's first household names....
. By 1886, ill-health had forced Brown to retire and he therefore missed out on the inaugural Football League season
1888-89 in English football
The 1888–1889 season was the 18th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:A new competition, The Football League, started this season...
.
He continued to keep up an interest in Villa's affairs until he died on 1 July 1909, aged 50.