Paul Browne
Encyclopedia
Paul Browne is a retired Scottish
football defender.
with Premier League
side Aston Villa
, featuring in two league matches towards the end of the 1995–96 season
. Despite his two starts, Browne was sold to Scottish Premier Division side Raith Rovers
in the summer and made his debut for the Kirkcaldy
side in a 1-0 defeat against Rangers
. Featuring in a number of matches that season, Browne played the majority of the following season following Raith's relegation, scoring twice. In the 1998–99 season
, Browne suffered from ill discipline, receiving eleven bookings and one dismissal as Raith finished in eighth place, in a season which saw him fail to add to his two goals from the previous season. Browne netted four goals in 1999–00
, helping Raith to mid-table safety but the following season yielded no goals as Raith survived relegation by just three points. In 2001–02
, however, Raith finished bottom and were relegated to the Scottish Second Division. Browne featured initially for Raith, playing in a Scottish League Challenge Cup
match and league match, but was sent on loan
to Arbroath
for the remainder of 2002, featuring sixteen times. Browne never played again for Raith and spent the remainder of the season with Nuneaton Borough and Hinckley United
on loan.
, after previous target Eddie Forrest
left on the promise of full-time football at Raith Rovers. Arbroath manager John Brownlie
signed Browne as a replacement for Forrest, then discovered that Forrest had been duped. A telephone call that Forrest had believed to be from Danny Smith, the Raith chairman, had been a hoax
. The caller had been Browne, Forrest’s prospective replacement, although Browne argued it was "a friend". Forrest was reinstated at Arbroath and Browne summarily sacked, fleeing Scotland, although Forrest subsequently demanded to be allowed to join Partick Thistle
, which led Brownlie to re-sign Browne to fill the defensive gap. Brownlie had to check with captain
Andy Dow
that the players would accept Browne after the hoax.
Following his season back at Arbroath, Browne moved into junior
football with Lochore Welfare
, where he was playing up to 2008 before joining St. Andrews United
. In May 2009, Browne helped St Andrews defeat former club Lochore to clinch promotion to the Scottish Junior Football East Region Premier League.
Browne was capped by Scotland under-21
during his time at 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...
football defender.
Career
Browne began his career in EnglandEngland
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...
with Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
side 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...
, featuring in two league matches towards the end of the 1995–96 season
1995-96 in English football
- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
. Despite his two starts, Browne was sold to Scottish Premier Division side Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
in the summer and made his debut for the Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
side in a 1-0 defeat 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...
. Featuring in a number of matches that season, Browne played the majority of the following season following Raith's relegation, scoring twice. In the 1998–99 season
1998-99 in Scottish football
The 1998–99 season was the 102nd season of Scottish league football.-Summary:The 1998–99 SPL season was one that ended in success for Rangers. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was brought in to replace Walter Smith at Rangers and made major changes, bringing in many players.Rangers were...
, Browne suffered from ill discipline, receiving eleven bookings and one dismissal as Raith finished in eighth place, in a season which saw him fail to add to his two goals from the previous season. Browne netted four goals in 1999–00
1999-00 in Scottish football
The 1999–2000 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:-Scottish First Division:-Scottish Second Division:...
, helping Raith to mid-table safety but the following season yielded no goals as Raith survived relegation by just three points. In 2001–02
2001-02 in Scottish football
The 2001–02 season was the 105th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:Celtic, domestic treble winners a year earlier, retain their Premier League title....
, however, Raith finished bottom and were relegated to the Scottish Second Division. Browne featured initially for Raith, playing in a Scottish League Challenge Cup
Scottish League Challenge Cup
The Scottish Football League Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Scottish Challenge Cup, is a knockout football cup competition organised by the Scottish Football League. Entry is open to the 30 member clubs of the Scottish Football League and from 2011 the two highest ranked clubs of the Highland...
match and league match, but was sent on loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
to Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
for the remainder of 2002, featuring sixteen times. Browne never played again for Raith and spent the remainder of the season with Nuneaton Borough and Hinckley United
Hinckley United F.C.
Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North. Formed only in 1997, the club has risen from the Southern League Midland/West Division to the Conference North in those 14 years...
on loan.
Hoax controversy
In July 2003, Browne returned to ArbroathArbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
, after previous target Eddie Forrest
Eddie Forrest
Edward 'Eddie' Forrest is a Scottish footballer who is currently without a club.-Career:Browne began his career with Stirling Albion, spending three years with The Binos before moving to Airdrieonians in 1999...
left on the promise of full-time football at Raith Rovers. Arbroath manager John Brownlie
John Brownlie
John Brownlie is a Scottish former football player who played for Pumpherston Juniors, Hibernian, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool United, Berwick Rangers, Blyth Spartans and Scotland. He was a right back....
signed Browne as a replacement for Forrest, then discovered that Forrest had been duped. A telephone call that Forrest had believed to be from Danny Smith, the Raith chairman, had been a hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
. The caller had been Browne, Forrest’s prospective replacement, although Browne argued it was "a friend". Forrest was reinstated at Arbroath and Browne summarily sacked, fleeing Scotland, although Forrest subsequently demanded to be allowed to join Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
, which led Brownlie to re-sign Browne to fill the defensive gap. Brownlie had to check with captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
Andy Dow
Andy Dow
Andy Dow is a Scottish former footballer who played for numerous clubs in a defensive role.Dow started out with Scottish junior side Sporting Club 85, before signing for Dundee in 1990. He moved south to sign for Chelsea for £250,000 in 1993, staying for three years...
that the players would accept Browne after the hoax.
Following his season back at Arbroath, Browne moved into junior
Scottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
football with Lochore Welfare
Lochore Welfare F.C.
Lochore Welfare F.C. are a Scottish football club from the village of Crosshill, Fife. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association, the club currently compete in the SJFA East Central Division. Originally formed in 1934, the club are based at Central Park and their present home colours are...
, where he was playing up to 2008 before joining St. Andrews United
St. Andrews United F.C.
St. Andrews United F.C. are a Scottish Junior football club based in St. Andrews, Fife. Their home ground is Recreation Park.The SJFA restructured prior to the 2006–07 season, and United found themselves in the twelve-team East Region Premier League...
. In May 2009, Browne helped St Andrews defeat former club Lochore to clinch promotion to the Scottish Junior Football East Region Premier League.
Browne was capped by Scotland under-21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
during his time at Aston Villa.