Craig Brown
CBE
Personal information
Full name James Craig Brown
Date of birth (1940-07-01)1 July 1940
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Date of death 26 June 2023(2023-06-26) (aged 82)
Place of death Ayr, Scotland
Position(s) Wing half
Youth career
Kilmarnock Amateurs[1]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1961 Rangers 0 (0)
1957–1958 → Coltness United (loan)
1960–1961 → Dundee (loan)
1961–1965 Dundee 14 (0)
1965–1967 Falkirk 17 (0)
Total 31 (0)
Managerial career
1977–1986 Clyde
1986–1993 Scotland U21
1993–2001 Scotland
1994–1995 Scotland B
2002–2004 Preston North End
2009–2010 Motherwell
2010–2013 Aberdeen
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

James Craig Brown CBE (1 July 1940 – 26 June 2023) was a Scottish professional football player and manager. After his playing career with Rangers, Dundee and Falkirk was curtailed by a series of knee injuries, Brown entered management with Clyde in 1977. He then coached various Scotland youth teams until he was appointed Scotland manager in 1993. He held this position until 2001, the longest tenure for a Scotland manager, and they qualified for the UEFA Euro 1996 and 1998 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He later managed Preston North End, Motherwell and Aberdeen. He retired from management in 2013 and was appointed a non-executive director of Aberdeen.

Early life

Brown was born on 1 July 1940 in Corkerhill, Glasgow,[2] but brought up with two younger brothers in Troon, Rutherglen and Hamilton, moving with his father's career as a physical education teacher, later a senior advisor on the subject.[1] He was a keen golfer as well as watching Queen's Park and Hamilton Academical matches.[1]

Playing career

Early career

Educated at the former Hamilton Academy, Brown played for the school in Scottish schools competitions[1][3][4][5] and in youth international teams, before joining Rangers in 1957, being considered a top prospect.[1]

Rangers

Brown was initially farmed out to Coltness United to gain experience, and was selected for the Scotland Junior squad.[1] He failed to find a regular first team place at Rangers, with his progress halted by a knee injury and the arrival of Jim Baxter who played in the same position, and moved to Dundee on loan in October 1960.[1]

Dundee

Brown was the first signing of Dundee manager Bob Shankly. Although knee surgery meant he barely played for the first team during his loan, the move was made permanent in the summer of 1961.[1] Brown always travelled with the Dundee first team squad but this was before substitutes were commonly used. Thus he did not make a competitive appearance until November 1961, then waited until February 1962 for his league debut when captain Bobby Cox was injured.[1] Brown played in nine consecutive league games before becoming injured himself on 31 March in a 3–2 win against bottom placed Stirling Albion.[1][6] Dundee won the Scottish league title that season and Brown's nine appearances entitled him to a medal.[1] Brown stayed at Dundee for four and a half injury-affected years, making 16 total appearances for the Dark Blues[6] but playing no active part in the club's European Cup run, or the 1964 Scottish Cup Final which they lost to Rangers.[1] During that time he also completed a course in physical education and primary teaching at Jordanhill College,[1] and was also a member of the pop music group Hammy and the Hamsters formed by six Dundee players.[7]

Falkirk

Brown signed for Falkirk in 1965 on a part-time basis and went on to make 42 total appearances at Brockville.[8] He was released in 1967 and signed for Stranraer, but his injured knee almost immediately required him to call time on his playing career, and he returned the signing-on fee he had received from the club.[1]

Managerial career

Clyde

Brown quickly showed a keen interest in being involved in the coaching side of football and he became assistant manager of Motherwell in 1974.[9] He got his first managerial job as part-time manager of Clyde in 1977, where he spent ten seasons – winning the Second Division championship in his first season[10] – whilst also working as a primary school head teacher then a lecturer in primary education at Craigie College, Ayr.[11]

Scotland

Brown was in charge of Scotland's youth teams. In 1989, he coached Scotland's Under-16s to the final of the 1989 FIFA U-16 World Championship[10] and three years later coached the under-21s to the semi-finals of the 1992 UEFA Under-21 Championship.[12]

Brown was assistant manager to Alex Ferguson for the Scotland senior team's campaign at the 1986 FIFA World Cup (the appointment he said 'changed his life' as it enabled him to move from being a part-time manager and teacher to a full member of the national coaching setup), and served the same role under Andy Roxburgh at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1992. He succeeded Roxburgh initially on an interim basis, after the team failed to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup; his debut was a 3–1 loss away to Italy.[13]

Euro 1996

Brown took Scotland to Euro 96, as the team only conceded three goals in 10 qualifying matches[13] as they finished second in Group 8. An Ally McCoist goal against Greece, scored with his first touch as a substitute after a long period out of international football due to a broken leg, proved key to securing qualification.[14]

Scotland were drawn in the finals with the Netherlands, England (the host nation) and Switzerland. The opening game against the Netherlands ended in a goalless draw, then the match against England hinged on two moments late in the second half. With the score standing at 1–0 to England, Gary McAllister had a penalty kick saved by David Seaman and almost straight away Paul Gascoigne scored a brilliant goal to secure a 2–0 England win.[15] This left Scotland needing an unlikely combination of results from the final games to qualify, but for a while this was happening as another McCoist goal gave them a 1–0 lead against Switzerland while the Netherlands were losing 4–0 to England.[16] The Scots were unable to add to their lead, however, and a goal by Patrick Kluivert narrowed the Dutch defeat to 4–1, which meant that they progressed on goals scored.[16]

1998 World Cup

Scotland also qualified for the 1998 World Cup under Brown, again only conceding three goals in their 10 qualifying matches[13] as they finished second in UEFA Group 4. A notable incident during that qualifying phase was when Estonia refused to turn up for a match in Tallinn against Scotland.[17] Brown had complained about the poor standard of floodlighting at the Kadriorg Stadium, which prompted FIFA to bring forward the kick-off time on the morning of the game.[17] This decision upset the Estonians, who had their preparations disrupted and stood to lose some television revenue.[17] Brown thought the Estonians would just protest the kick-off change and turn up at the last minute, but they did not and Scotland were left to kick-off without any opposition.[17] The FIFA delegate at the match believed Scotland would be awarded a walkover win, but instead a committee ordered the game to be replayed at a neutral site.[17]

Scotland were drawn in Group A at the finals with Brazil, Norway and Morocco.[18] As Brazil were the World Cup holders, this meant that Scotland played in the opening match of the tournament.[18] Much of the preparation for that match focused on how to stop the star Brazilian striker Ronaldo, with his former club manager Bobby Robson advising Brown that the only way would be to stop him receiving the ball.[18] The Scots were able to restrict Ronaldo, but lost 2–1 due to a Cesar Sampaio header from a corner and an unfortunate own goal by Tom Boyd.[18] Brown cited a lack of on-field preparations immediately before the game, which were limited by opening match ceremonies, for them conceding the first goal from a set piece.[18][19]

A 1–1 draw with Norway left Scotland needing a positive result against Morocco in their third match to have a chance of progressing.[18] Scotland lost that match 3–0 and were eliminated them from the tournament, although a Norwegian win against Brazil meant that Morocco did not progress either.[18] The result against Morocco was heavily criticised as Scotland had rarely conceded more than two goals in a game under Brown, although he cited secondary statistics (shots at goal, possession and corners) which suggested the performance was better than the one-sided scoreline.[18]

Euro 2000 qualifying

Scotland finished second in their UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying group, which meant they entered a playoff against England. Scotland lost the first leg 2–0 at Hampden Park, but then won 1–0 at the old Wembley in the second, losing 2–1 on aggregate.[20] Paul Scholes scored both England goals in the tie.[21] Brown cited an injury to Paul Lambert, who would have been assigned with the task of marking Scholes, as being key to the Scots losing the tie.[21]

2002 World Cup qualification

After Scotland finished third in their 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification group and failed to qualify for the World Cup, Brown resigned as Scotland manager in October 2001.[22] He was replaced by German Berti Vogts. Brown took charge of Scotland for 70 international matches, more than any other Scotland manager. He won 32 games, drew 18 and lost 20.[13] Scotland did not qualify for another major tournament until Euro 2020, and 1998 is still their most recent appearance in a men's World Cup finals.[13][21]

Preston North End

Brown then had a spell in club management when he was appointed manager of Preston North End in April 2002, but left by mutual consent on 29 August 2004 after a poor start to the league campaign.[23] He later had a brief spell as football consultant at Derby County under former protégé Billy Davies, helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2006–07. He was one of eight members of staff sacked alongside Davies in November after a poor start to the 2007–08 Premier League season.[24]

In October 2008, the 68-year-old Brown was linked to the vacant managerial position with Scottish First Division side Dundee, but the job went to Jocky Scott.[25]

Motherwell

On 28 December 2009, it was announced that Brown would be taking charge of Motherwell, with Archie Knox as his assistant.[26] Brown and Knox established Motherwell in the top six of the Scottish Premier League during their time in charge.[27]

Aberdeen

Brown, who was working without a contract at Motherwell, rebuffed an initial approach by Aberdeen on 8 December 2010.[27] He then had a change of heart after a second approach was made, and was appointed Aberdeen manager on 10 December.[28]

On 14 March 2013, Brown announced he was retiring from football management at the end of the 2012–13 season.[29] His retirement date was brought forward when Derek McInnes was appointed to the position on 5 April, with Brown accepting a position on the Aberdeen board.[30]

Personal life

Brown was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1999 Birthday Honours for services to football.[31][32] Brown was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts by Abertay University in 2001.[33]

Brown had two brothers:[1] Jock was a football commentator, and Bob was the minister at Queen's Cross Parish Church in Aberdeen from 1984 until his retirement in 2008.[34] Brown's grandson and namesake, Craig, plays for Montrose.[35]

Brown died on 26 June 2023, five days before his 83rd birthday.[13][2][36] His funeral was held at Masonhill Crematorium in Ayr, followed by a memorial service at Ayr Racecourse, on 25 July.[37]

Managerial statistics

Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Clyde[38] August 1977 May 1986 410 136 118 156 033.17
Scotland U21[39] September 1986 November 1993 44 19 7 18 043.18
Scotland[40][lower-alpha 1] 13 October 1993 30 October 2001 71 32 18 21 045.07
Scotland B[43] February 1994 February 1995 2 1 0 1 050.00
Preston North End[44] 29 April 2002 29 August 2004 106 36 30 40 033.96
Motherwell[45] 29 December 2009 10 December 2010 44 21 9 14 047.73
Aberdeen[45] 13 December 2010 6 April 2013 106 36 30 40 033.96
Total 791 282 216 293 035.65
  1. ↑ Brown's Scotland record includes one 1993 match in interim charge (Italy 3–1 Scotland)[41] prior to his full appointment; it is not included in his SFA website profile, which assigns no manager to this fixture.[42]

Honours

Player

Dundee

Manager

Clyde

Scotland U16

Scotland U21

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 The Game of My Life, Craig Brown, Kings Road Publishing, 2013, ISBN 9781782192695
  2. 1 2 "Telegraph Obituaries : Craig Brown, footballer who became the most recent manager to lead Scotland to the World Cup finals". The Daily Telegraph. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ↑ Hamilton Advertiser, 21 May 2009
  4. ↑ 'Every picture tells a story: Craig Brown, Part 1', Evening Times, 15 April 2004
  5. ↑ 'The rise and rise of a well honoured manager', The Herald, 12 July 1999
  6. 1 2 Played for Dundee and Rangers – Craig Brown, Dundee FC, 25 February 2019
  7. ↑ "Craig Brown 1940–2023". Dundee Football Club. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  8. ↑ Kearney, Ben (26 June 2023). "Former Scotland and Falkirk player Craig Brown dies aged 82". Falkirk Herald.
  9. ↑ Galloway, Dave (26 June 2023). "Former Scotland manager Craig Brown dies". Planetradio.co.uk.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Craig Brown: Former Scotland, Aberdeen, Motherwell, Clyde and Preston boss dies aged 82". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Craig Brown: The teacher turned coach who took Scotland to the big stage". Yahoo Sports. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  12. 1 2 "GLORY BOYS: The Scotland under-21 squad which has steered their country to the semi-finals of the European". Evening Express. 22 April 1992. Retrieved 25 May 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Craig Brown: Scotland's longest-serving manager dies aged 82". BBC Sport. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  14. ↑ Shaw, Phil (16 August 1995). "McCoist the saviour for Scotland". The Independent. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  15. ↑ Wilson, Richard (15 June 2016). "England 2-0 Scotland: 20 years of regret from Euro 96 loss". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  16. 1 2 "McCoist magic not enough for Scotland in EURO '96 Group A". UEFA.com. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 Brewin, John (10 October 2014). "One team in Tallinn: when Scotland kicked off against nobody – and still didn't win". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mullen, Scott (26 June 2023). "Scotland: Craig Brown relives his France 98 World Cup journey". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  19. ↑ "Own Goal Gets Brazil Off Scot-Free". The Washington Post. 11 June 1998. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  20. ↑ Murray, Ewan (17 June 2021). "'We had personality': when Scotland won at Wembley in 1999 but still lost". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 Campbell, Jordan (11 November 2020). "'For 20 years we've found ways of not qualifying' – Scotland's glorious failure". The Athletic. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  22. ↑ McKie, Robin (7 October 2001). "Brown resigns after World Cup failure". The Observer. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "Brown leaves Preston post". BBC Sport. 29 August 2004. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
  24. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (27 November 2007). "Ruthless Derby look to Ince as Davies pays for poor results". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "Davies, Brown linked with Dundee". BBC Sport. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  26. ↑ Brown given stint at Motherwell, BBC Sport, 29 December 2009
  27. 1 2 "Aberdeen name Craig Brown as new manager at Pittodrie". BBC Sport. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  28. ↑ "Aberdeen name Craig Brown as new manager at Pittodrie". BBC Sport. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  29. ↑ "Aberdeen boss Craig Brown to retire in the summer". BBC Sport. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  30. ↑ Richard Gordon (5 April 2013). "Aberdeen boss Craig Brown to retire in the summer". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  31. ↑ "No. 55513". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 1999. p. 8.
  32. ↑ "Sports stars top the list". BBC News. 12 June 1999. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  33. ↑ "Craig Brown – Honorary Graduate". 14 September 2021.
  34. ↑ Evening Times (Glasgow, UK) 12 May 2002
  35. ↑ "Obviously we are not going to win it, but you never know". BBC Sport. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  36. ↑ "Craig Brown, Scotland's longest serving national team coach, dies at 82". AP News. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  37. ↑ "Funeral held for former Scotland manager Craig Brown". BBC News. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  38. ↑ (Clyde manager) Brown, Craig, FitbaStats
  39. ↑ (Scotland U21 manager) Brown, Craig, FitbaStats
  40. ↑ "Managers: Scottish Football Association". Scottish Football Association. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  41. ↑ Scotland – International Matches 1991-1995, RSSSF
  42. ↑ International Matches | Italy 3-1 Scotland, Scottish Football Association
  43. ↑ (Scotland B manager) Brown, Craig, FitbaStats
  44. ↑ "Craig Brown – manager". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  45. 1 2 "Craig Brown - managerial statistics". Soccerbase. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  46. ↑ "NO THANKS: Same old jinx". Daily Record. Glasgow. 3 June 1991. Retrieved 25 May 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  47. ↑ "Motherwell manager Craig Brown aims high". BBC Sport. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  48. ↑ "Aberdeen manager Craig Brown wins SPL January award". BBC Sport. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  49. ↑ "Aberdeen trio collect monthly SPL awards". BBC Sport. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
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