John Brown (footballer born 1915)
Encyclopedia
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
. He also played once for the Scotland national football team
, in a 1939 British Home Championship
match against Wales
.
Brown's football career was clearly interrupted by the Second World War, as his two greatest achievements, winning a Scotland cap and the Scottish Cup, came during the last season
completed before the war. Brown only conceded one goal in the whole competition en route to winning the Scottish Cup, a penalty kick
in a 4–1 win against Rangers
. He later complained that he would not have conceded even that solitary goal if Rangers had used their regular penalty taker, Bob McPhail
, because Brown knew where McPhail normally placed his penalties.
During the war, he entered the service of the Royal Navy
, while making guest appearances for Hamilton
. He transferred to Hibernian
in 1942, but played for Gillingham
of England's Kent League
between 1944 and 1946. Upon returning to Hibernian, he helped them win the Scottish league championship in 1947–48
.
Brown then had spells with Dundee
and Kilmarnock
before retiring as a player in 1950. He then became a physiotherapist, working for Kilmarnock
, the All Blacks and the Scotland national rugby union team
. Brown was the first person to serve in that function for the Scotland rugby side.
Brown was part of a sizeable sporting family. His sons Peter and Gordon (Broon frae Troon) both played for Scotland
at rugby union
, while two of his brothers, Tom
and Jim, also played professional football. Jim was selected by the United States
for the 1930 FIFA World Cup
. Brown himself was also a talented player of both badminton
and golf
, playing off a scratch handicap.
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 association football player, who played as a goalkeeper
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...
. At club level he played for Clyde
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...
, Hamilton
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
, Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
and Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
, helping Clyde win the 1939
Scottish Cup 1938-39
The 1938–39 Scottish Cup was the 61st staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Clyde who defeated Motherwell in the final.-First round:-Replays:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:...
Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
. He also played once for the Scotland national football team
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...
, in a 1939 British Home Championship
1939 British Home Championship
The 1939 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1938–39 seasons and was the last edition of the tournament to be completed before the outbreak of the Second World War in August 1939 suspended all professional sporting competitions...
match 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...
.
Brown's football career was clearly interrupted by the Second World War, as his two greatest achievements, winning a Scotland cap and the Scottish Cup, came during the last season
1938-39 in Scottish football
The 1938–39 season was the 49th season of competitive football in Scotland. Due to the World War II the league was not officially competed for again until the 1946–47 season.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Rangers...
completed before the war. Brown only conceded one goal in the whole competition en route to winning the Scottish Cup, a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in a 4–1 win against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. He later complained that he would not have conceded even that solitary goal if Rangers had used their regular penalty taker, Bob McPhail
Bob McPhail
Robert Lowe "Bob" McPhail was a Scottish professional footballer, who played for Airdrieonians, Rangers and represented Scotland.-Career:...
, because Brown knew where McPhail normally placed his penalties.
During the war, he entered the service of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, while making guest appearances for Hamilton
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
. He transferred to Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 1942, but played for Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
of England's Kent League
Kent League
The Kent League is an English football league for teams based in Kent and south east London, which was established in 1966. It was also the name of a similar league which existed from 1894 until 1959.-History:...
between 1944 and 1946. Upon returning to Hibernian, he helped them win the Scottish league championship in 1947–48
1947-48 in Scottish football
The 1947–48 season was the 51st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: Hibernian Relegated: Airdrie, Queen's Park-Scottish League Division B:Champions: East Fife, Albion Rovers...
.
Brown then had spells with Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
and Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
before retiring as a player in 1950. He then became a physiotherapist, working for Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
, the All Blacks and the Scotland national rugby union team
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
. Brown was the first person to serve in that function for the Scotland rugby side.
Brown was part of a sizeable sporting family. His sons Peter and Gordon (Broon frae Troon) both played for Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
at rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, while two of his brothers, 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:...
and Jim, also played professional football. Jim was selected by the United States
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...
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...
. Brown himself was also a talented player of both badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, playing off a scratch handicap.