BROWN, John (1979)

Overview

A record breaker while with Accies. On 9th of August, 1980, while in the number 3 jersey he became the first full back in the history of the game in Scotland to score a hat-trick without the aid of a penalty kick, in the first match of the season against Berwick Rangers, which was won by 9 goals to 1.

He had come to the club from Blantyre Welfare in 1977 at the age of sixteen. He played in the middle of defence initially then moved back to left back where he played most of his games for the club, although he was also used in midfield on occasion.

In the 1983-84 Reserve League Cup Final Second Leg at Douglas Park, John was one of Accies scorers when his penalty tied the scores on aggregate before Pat McCurdy struck the winner in extra time against Dundee United to give Accies the trophy. While at Douglas Park he was part of the squad which won the annual four team tournament at Aberdeen in 1983, for the Scottish Semi-Professional side.

His play attracted the Premier League scouts and Heart of Midlothian were about to sign him, then backed down for medical reasons. This did not deter Dundee from parting with £40,000 for him in 1984. While at Dens Park he was used as an attacking midfielder and he did so with much success, finding the net on a number of occasions.

On 15th January, 1988, he was signed by Rangers and while there he has been a tremendous servant to the Ibrox team, none more so than in their run in the European Cup in 1992. He was later very much involved in the coaching side of things, although he turned out on several occasions when others were unavailable.

In 1989 he won the first of his three League Cup winner’s medals and also has two Scottish Cup winners’ medals as well as League medals to his name while at Ibrox. When Paul le Guenn took over at Ibrox, John was surplus to requirements. He then was appointed as Manager to Clyde during the 2008-09 season and despite being involved in the play offs, the Cumbernauld club remained in the First Division. By November 2009, with the club anchored at the foot of the League John and the Broadwood club parted company.

His build, 5' 11", and nearly 12 stones, together with his foraging style of play meant he was an ideal type of player to have at the back.

Born in Stirling on 26th January 1962.

Debut on 28th November 1979 in a Scottish League fixture at home to Clyde which Accies won 3-1.

Scottish League 132 Appearances 1 Sub 11 Goals (1 Hat Trick)

Scottish Cup 6 Appearances

League Cup 13 Appearances

Accies Career

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