Brian Borrows
Encyclopedia
Brian Borrows is a retired English
football defender. He played for Everton
and Bolton Wanderers
, but spent the majority of his career with Coventry City
. He finished playing with Swindon Town
.
Far from being a 'workmanlike' full-back, Borrows possessed a great cross and burst of speed which was used to great effect for forwards like Houchen, Speedie and Regis. He was also to play a key defensive role during the 1987 cup run, which included outstanding battling away displays against the likes of Stoke City (5th Round) and Sheffield Wednesday (6th Round). Coventry would later go on to lift the trophy for the first time in their 104 year history against Tottenham Hotspur. Unfortunately for Borrows, he twisted his knee just seven days before the 1987 FA Cup Final
, and was forced to miss the game. As a result, his name was chanted many times that afternoon on the 16th May 1987 from the Coventry sections of Wembley Stadium. He did however play a part in the Charity Shield showpiece versus Everton later that same year.
He scored several times for Coventry City, mostly from free kicks and the penalty spot, and remains a very respected figure among former players and fans alike. His understanding with Trevor Peake
, Brian Kilcline
and Steve Ogrizovic
formed the foundation stone upon which George Curtis
and John Sillett
were able to rebuild the clubs fortunes after years of under achievement. His playing career spanned some of the great changes in modern British football, from the pre-Sky era of open terracing to the super stadia and media saturation of the Premiership. 'Bugsy' as he was affectionately known at the club, made 474 total appearances scoring a total of 13 goals.
He was voted Coventry City 'Player of the Year' for the 1989/90 season. He also secured a representative honour as an England 'B' cap in 1990.
Brian Borrows is included in the Coventry City Hall of Fame at the Ricoh Arena.
before becoming a Regional Coach for the Professional Footballers Association in the Midlands
area.
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...
football defender. He played for Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, but spent the majority of his career with Coventry City
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...
. He finished playing with Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
.
Coventry City 85-97
Brian Borrows was signed from Bolton Wanderers in 1985 and apart from the rare injury was the club's regular right back for nearly a decade, missing less than 20 games. Whilst the era produced such terrace favourites as Gibson, Bennett, Regis and Speedie, Borrows fell into that category of player who quietly went about their business season after season to an exceptionally high standard. A right back who was gifted with first class spatial awareness and close ball control. In another era, (some City fans say at a more fashionable club) he might possibly have been an England squad regular.Far from being a 'workmanlike' full-back, Borrows possessed a great cross and burst of speed which was used to great effect for forwards like Houchen, Speedie and Regis. He was also to play a key defensive role during the 1987 cup run, which included outstanding battling away displays against the likes of Stoke City (5th Round) and Sheffield Wednesday (6th Round). Coventry would later go on to lift the trophy for the first time in their 104 year history against Tottenham Hotspur. Unfortunately for Borrows, he twisted his knee just seven days before the 1987 FA Cup Final
1987 FA Cup Final
The 1987 FA Cup Final took place on 16 May 1987 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs were appearing in their third final in seven seasons, having won the trophy in 1981 and 1982 and were strong favourites, while unfancied Coventry were appearing...
, and was forced to miss the game. As a result, his name was chanted many times that afternoon on the 16th May 1987 from the Coventry sections of Wembley Stadium. He did however play a part in the Charity Shield showpiece versus Everton later that same year.
He scored several times for Coventry City, mostly from free kicks and the penalty spot, and remains a very respected figure among former players and fans alike. His understanding with Trevor Peake
Trevor Peake
Trevor Peake is a retired English footballer. He was a member of Coventry City's FA Cup winning team in 1987 and is current assistant academy director of Leicester City.-Coaching career:...
, Brian Kilcline
Brian Kilcline
Brian Kilcline is an English former centre-half with Coventry City, Newcastle United, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Swindon Town, Mansfield Town and Halifax Town, famous for his long hair and moustache....
and Steve Ogrizovic
Steve Ogrizovic
Steven "Oggy" Ogrizovic is a former English goalkeeper who achieved fame during 16 years at Coventry City...
formed the foundation stone upon which George Curtis
George Curtis (footballer born 1939)
George Curtis is an English former footballer who played in the Football League as a defender for Coventry City and Aston Villa.-Playing career:...
and John Sillett
John Sillett
John Charles Sillett is a former football player and manager.His father Charlie Sillett was a footballer with Southampton between 1931 and 1938. He is the younger brother of Peter Sillett, also a footballer.Sillett played for Chelsea, Coventry City and Plymouth Argyle...
were able to rebuild the clubs fortunes after years of under achievement. His playing career spanned some of the great changes in modern British football, from the pre-Sky era of open terracing to the super stadia and media saturation of the Premiership. 'Bugsy' as he was affectionately known at the club, made 474 total appearances scoring a total of 13 goals.
He was voted Coventry City 'Player of the Year' for the 1989/90 season. He also secured a representative honour as an England 'B' cap in 1990.
Brian Borrows is included in the Coventry City Hall of Fame at the Ricoh Arena.
Career After Playing
He spent time coaching the Academy sides of his former club Coventry and Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
before becoming a Regional Coach for the Professional Footballers Association in the Midlands
English Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
area.
Clubs
- 1980-1983 :
EvertonEverton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... - 1983-1985 : Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
- 1985-1997 : Coventry CityCoventry 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...
-
- 1993 : Bristol CityBristol City F.C.Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
(loan) - 1997 : Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
(loan)- 1997-1999 : Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
- 1997-1999 :
- 1993 :