Craig Brown (footballer, born 1940)

James Craig Brown Template:Post-nominals (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,<ref name="Telegraph-Obit">Template:Cite news</ref> but brought up with two younger brothers in Troon, Rutherglen and Hamilton, mother Margaret Caldow, moving with his father's career as a physical education teacher, later a senior advisor on the subject.<ref name=life>The Game of My Life, Craig Brown, Kings Road Publishing, 2013, Template:ISBN</ref> He was a keen golfer as well as watching Queen's Park and Hamilton Academical matches.<ref name=life/>

Playing career

Early career

Educated at the former Hamilton Academy, Brown played for the school in Scottish schools competitions<ref name=life/><ref>Hamilton Advertiser, 21 May 2009</ref><ref>'Every picture tells a story: Craig Brown, Part 1', Evening Times, 15 April 2004</ref><ref>'The rise and rise of a well honoured manager', The Herald, 12 July 1999</ref> and in youth international teams, before joining Rangers in 1957, being considered a top prospect.<ref name=life/>

Rangers

Brown was initially farmed out to Coltness United to gain experience, and was selected for the Scotland Junior squad.<ref name="life" /> 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.<ref name="life" />

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.<ref name=life/> 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.<ref name=life/> Brown played in nine consecutive league games before becoming injured himself on 31 March in a 3–2 win against bottom placed Stirling Albion.<ref name=life/><ref name=both>Played for Dundee and Rangers – Craig Brown, Dundee FC, 25 February 2019</ref> Dundee won the Scottish league title that season and Brown's nine appearances entitled him to a medal.<ref name=life/> Brown stayed at Dundee for four and a half injury-affected years, making 16 total appearances for the Dark Blues<ref name=both/> but playing no active part in the club's European Cup run, or the 1964 Scottish Cup Final which they lost to Rangers.<ref name=life/> During that time he also completed a course in physical education and primary teaching at Jordanhill College,<ref name=life/> and was also a member of the pop music group Hammy and the Hamsters formed by six Dundee players.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Falkirk

Brown signed for Falkirk in 1965 on a part-time basis and went on to make 42 total appearances at Brockville.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name=life/>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> – whilst also working as a primary school head teacher then a lecturer in primary education at Craigie College, Ayr.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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<ref name=":0" /> and three years later coached the under-21s to the semi-finals of the 1992 UEFA Under-21 Championship.<ref name = 21semis/>

In July 1986, he took up the post of assistant manager of Scotland, also with responsibility for the under-21 team.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=bbc/>

Euro 1996

Brown took Scotland to Euro 96, as the team only conceded three goals in 10 qualifying matches<ref name=bbc/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name = kluivert/> 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.<ref name = kluivert>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1998 World Cup

Scotland also qualified for the 1998 World Cup under Brown, again only conceding three goals in their 10 qualifying matches<ref name=bbc/> 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.<ref name=nobody>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name=nobody/> This decision upset the Estonians, who had their preparations disrupted and stood to lose some television revenue.<ref name=nobody/> 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.<ref name=nobody/> 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.<ref name=nobody/>

Scotland were drawn in Group A at the finals with Brazil, Norway and Morocco.<ref name = france98>Template:Cite news</ref> As Brazil were the World Cup holders, this meant that Scotland played in the opening match of the tournament.<ref name = france98/> 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.<ref name = france98/> 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.<ref name = france98/> 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.<ref name = france98/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

A 1–1 draw with Norway left Scotland needing a positive result against Morocco in their third match to have a chance of progressing.<ref name = france98/> 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.<ref name = france98/> 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.<ref name = france98/>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Paul Scholes scored both England goals in the tie.<ref name = scholes/> 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.<ref name = scholes>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=bbc/> 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.<ref name=bbc/><ref name = scholes/>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Motherwell

On 28 December 2009, it was announced that Brown would be taking charge of Motherwell, with Archie Knox as his assistant.<ref>Brown given stint at Motherwell, BBC Sport, 29 December 2009</ref> Brown and Knox established Motherwell in the top six of the Scottish Premier League during their time in charge.<ref name = "brown aberdeen"> Template:Cite news</ref>

Aberdeen

Brown, who was working without a contract at Motherwell, rebuffed an initial approach by Aberdeen on 8 December 2010.<ref name = "brown aberdeen"/> He then had a change of heart after a second approach was made, and was appointed Aberdeen manager on 10 December.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 14 March 2013, Brown announced he was retiring from football management at the end of the 2012–13 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

Brown was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1999 Birthday Honours for services to football.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Brown was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts by Abertay University in 2001.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Brown had two brothers:<ref name=life/> 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.<ref>Evening Times (Glasgow, UK) 12 May 2002</ref> Brown's grandson and namesake, Craig, plays for Montrose.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Brown died on 26 June 2023, five days before his 83rd birthday.<ref name=bbc>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Telegraph-Obit" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His funeral was held at Masonhill Crematorium in Ayr, followed by a memorial service at Ayr Racecourse, on 25 July.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Managerial statistics

Team	From	To	Record
G	W	D	L	Win %
Clyde<ref>(Clyde manager) Brown, Craig, FitbaStats</ref>	August 1977	May 1986
Scotland U21<ref>(Scotland U21 manager) Brown, Craig, FitbaStats</ref>	September 1986	November 1993
Scotland<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn	13 October 1993	30 October 2001
Scotland B<ref>(Scotland B manager) Brown, Craig, FitbaStats</ref>	February 1994	February 1995
Preston North End<ref name="Soccerbase">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	29 April 2002	29 August 2004
Motherwell<ref name="Soccerbase2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	29 December 2009	10 December 2010
Aberdeen<ref name="Soccerbase2"/>	13 December 2010	6 April 2013
Total

Honours

Player

Dundee

• Scottish league champion: 1961–62<ref name=life/>

Manager

Clyde

• Scottish Second Division: 1977–78,<ref name=":0"/> 1981–82<ref name=":0"/>

Scotland U16

• FIFA under-16 World Cup: Runner-up 1989

Scotland U21

• UEFA under-21 Euros: Bronze 1992<ref name = 21semis>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Toulon Tournament: Bronze 1991, 1993<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Individual

• Scottish Premier League manager of the month: January 2010,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> February 2010, January 2012<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and October 2012<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• Clyde FC Hall of Fame profile
• Template:NeilBrownPlayers
• Template:Soccerbase (manager)