Jim Brown (soccer)
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Brown was a Scottish American
association football player who played for the United States men's national soccer team
at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
, scoring the only goal of the American team in their 6-1 semi-final loss to Argentina
. He began his career in the American Soccer League
before moving to England and then Scotland. After retiring from playing, he coached at the youth, senior amateur, and professional levels. He was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1986.
, the oldest of four brothers, two who played professionally as goalkeepers
. His brother, Jock
also earned a cap with Scotland
, while youngest brother Tom
player professionally in England. Brown became an apprentice riveter at the Toon Shipyard when he was thirteen. At some point, his father deserted the family and moved to the United States. In 1927, Brown left Scotland to search for his father, settling in Westerfield, New Jersey and finding work as a riveter in a factory.
of the American Soccer League
. However, the league suspended the Skeeters in September 1928 as part of the “Soccer War”. Newark then joined two other suspended ASL teams and several others from the Southern New York Soccer Association to form the Eastern Professional Soccer League. Brown played seven games with Newark in the ASL and an unknown number in the EPSL. However, at the end of the season, he returned to the ASL when he signed with the New York Nationals.
as it prepared for the 1930 FIFA World Cup
. At the time, national team requirements were less stringent and Brown was selected based on his father’s, not his own, citizenship. Brown played all three U.S. games in the cup as the team went to the semifinals. Following their elimination, the U.S. played a series of exhibition games throughout South America against professional and regional teams. Only one, a 4–3 loss to Brazil
counted as a full international. That was Brown’s last of his four caps with the U.S. national team.
. Soon after, he was called into the U.S. national team for the 1930 World Cup. On his return from Uruguay, he rejoined his team, now under new ownership and known as the New York Soccer Club
. He played the fall 1930 season with New York S.C. then moved to the Brooklyn Wanderers
for the 1931 spring season. Brown moved to the Newark Americans
for the fall 1931 season, but by this time the ASL was collapsing. Therefore, he decided to return to Scotland in 1932.
, but his union activities quickly soured his relationship with the team ownership. He saw only one first league game, but scored fifty-three goals in seventy-three games with the reserves. In September 1936, Brentford sent Brown to Tottenham Hotspur. In his two seasons there, he played only four first team games, but scored twenty-one goals in thirty games for the reserves. In 1937, he moved to the semi-professional Guildford City
of the Southern Football League
. Over his two seasons this Guildford, Brown scored 148 goals in 150 games. He then moved north to finish his career with Scottish First Division club Clyde F.C.
He retired due to injuries soon after.
soccer team. Two years later, he joined several other men in forming the Connecticut State Amateur League as well as Greenport United. When his son, George began playing for Greenport, Brown joined him for two seasons as a player-coach. He then coached the Brunswick School soccer team for twenty-two years and the Elizabeth Falcons
of the American Soccer League
from 1956 to 1958.
Brown was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1986 and the Connecticut State Hall of Fame in 2000. His son George was inducted in 1995.
Scottish American
Scottish Americans or Scots Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in Scotland. Scottish Americans are closely related to Scots-Irish Americans, descendants of Ulster Scots, and communities emphasize and celebrate a common heritage...
association football player who played for the United States men's national soccer team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
, scoring the only goal of the American team in their 6-1 semi-final loss to Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
. He began his career in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
before moving to England and then Scotland. After retiring from playing, he coached at the youth, senior amateur, and professional levels. He was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1986.
Youth
While born in Kilmarnock, Brown grew up in TroonTroon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
, the oldest of four brothers, two who played professionally as goalkeepers
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
. His brother, Jock
John Brown (footballer born 1915)
John Brown was a Scottish former association football player, who played as a goalkeeper. At club level he played for Clyde, Hamilton, Hibernian, Dundee and Kilmarnock, helping Clyde win the 1939 Scottish Cup...
also earned a cap with 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...
, while youngest brother Tom
Tom Brown (footballer)
Tom Brown is a Scottish former professional footballer who spent most of his career with Ipswich Town. He was also a Commando during World War II.-Youth:...
player professionally in England. Brown became an apprentice riveter at the Toon Shipyard when he was thirteen. At some point, his father deserted the family and moved to the United States. In 1927, Brown left Scotland to search for his father, settling in Westerfield, New Jersey and finding work as a riveter in a factory.
Amateur career
When Brown arrived in the U.S., he joined the Bayonne Rangers, a local amateur team. In 1928, he signed as an amateur with the Newark SkeetersNewark Skeeters
The Newark Skeeters was an American soccer club based in Newark, New Jersey and was a member of the American Soccer League and the Eastern Soccer League.The club folded upon the merger of the ASL & ESL after the fall 1929 season.-Year-by-year:...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. However, the league suspended the Skeeters in September 1928 as part of the “Soccer War”. Newark then joined two other suspended ASL teams and several others from the Southern New York Soccer Association to form the Eastern Professional Soccer League. Brown played seven games with Newark in the ASL and an unknown number in the EPSL. However, at the end of the season, he returned to the ASL when he signed with the New York Nationals.
National team
In 1930, Brown was called into the U.S.national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
as it prepared for the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
. At the time, national team requirements were less stringent and Brown was selected based on his father’s, not his own, citizenship. Brown played all three U.S. games in the cup as the team went to the semifinals. Following their elimination, the U.S. played a series of exhibition games throughout South America against professional and regional teams. Only one, a 4–3 loss to Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
counted as a full international. That was Brown’s last of his four caps with the U.S. national team.
United States
In 1930, Brown became a professional with the New York GiantsNew York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
. Soon after, he was called into the U.S. national team for the 1930 World Cup. On his return from Uruguay, he rejoined his team, now under new ownership and known as the New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...
. He played the fall 1930 season with New York S.C. then moved to the Brooklyn Wanderers
Brooklyn Wanderers
The Brooklyn Wanderers was a U.S. soccer team which was a founding member of the National Association Football League in the late nineteenth century. It later joined the American Soccer League.-History:...
for the 1931 spring season. Brown moved to the Newark Americans
Newark Americans
Newark Americans were a team in the first American Soccer League. They were founded in 1930, but folded following the spring 1932 season.-Year-by-year:-Notable players: Jim Brown Bill Carnihan Archie Stark Johnny Jaap...
for the fall 1931 season, but by this time the ASL was collapsing. Therefore, he decided to return to Scotland in 1932.
England
Based on his success in the U.S. both professionally and with the national team, several teams from both England and Scotland expressed an interest in signing Brown. As the ship he was on neared the dock, representatives from these teams awaited him. However, Scott Duncan, manager of Manchester United, took a tugboat out to the liner and signed Brown on board. Brown played from 1932 to 1934 with United, scoring seventeen goals in forty games, second highest on the team. Notably, he scored directly from a free kick on his first game with the team. While Brown scored regularly with United, he alienated the team management with his outspoken support for a players’ union. In May 1934, United transferred Brown to Brentford F.C.Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, but his union activities quickly soured his relationship with the team ownership. He saw only one first league game, but scored fifty-three goals in seventy-three games with the reserves. In September 1936, Brentford sent Brown to Tottenham Hotspur. In his two seasons there, he played only four first team games, but scored twenty-one goals in thirty games for the reserves. In 1937, he moved to the semi-professional Guildford City
Guildford City F.C.
Guildford City Football Club is a football club based in Guildford, Surrey, England. The club was originally established in 1921, folded in 1974 and were reformed in 1996...
of the Southern Football League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
. Over his two seasons this Guildford, Brown scored 148 goals in 150 games. He then moved north to finish his career with Scottish First Division club Clyde F.C.
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
He retired due to injuries soon after.
Post playing career
Having retired from playing professionally in 1939, Brown resumed his trade as a riveter in the Troon Shipyard. In 1948, he returned to the United States where he became the head coach of the Greenwich High SchoolGreenwich High School
Greenwich High School is a four-year public high school in Greenwich, Connecticut, United States. The school is part of the Greenwich Public Schools system and serves roughly 2,700 students....
soccer team. Two years later, he joined several other men in forming the Connecticut State Amateur League as well as Greenport United. When his son, George began playing for Greenport, Brown joined him for two seasons as a player-coach. He then coached the Brunswick School soccer team for twenty-two years and the Elizabeth Falcons
Elizabeth Falcons
The Elizabeth Falcons were an American soccer club based in Elizabeth, New Jersey that was a member of the American Soccer League. After the 1958-59 season, the club became simply Falcons S.C. and became known as Falcons-Warsaw before the 1962-63 season.After the 1963-64 season, the team became the...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
from 1956 to 1958.
Brown was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1986 and the Connecticut State Hall of Fame in 2000. His son George was inducted in 1995.