Craig Brown (football)
Encyclopedia
James Craig Brown CBE
(born 1 July 1940 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
) is a Scottish former professional football
player and manager. He is currently manager of Aberdeen.
Brown has previously managed Motherwell
, Preston North End
and Clyde
. He was manager of Scotland
from 1993 to 2001, the longest tenure for a Scotland manager. Under Brown, Scotland qualified for both Euro '96 in England and the 1998 FIFA World Cup
in France.
He was awarded the CBE
in 1999 for services to football.
His brother is commentator Jock Brown
.
, Brown played for the school in Scottish schools competitions and in youth and junior international teams, before joining Rangers
in 1958 from Coltness United, aged just 19. He failed to find a regular first team place, and moved to Dundee
in October 1960, where he won a League Championship medal. Brown stayed at Dundee for four and a half years, but was never a first team regular and only made 16 appearances for the Dark Blues. He signed for Falkirk
in 1968 and went on to make 17 appearances at Brockville. He called time on his playing career in 1971 after five operations on his knee.
in 1974. 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 1982 - whilst also working as a primary school head teacher then a lecturer in primary education.
manager Andy Roxburgh
appointed him as assistant manager. Brown was also 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
and three years later coached the under-21s
to the semi-finals of the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
.
Brown was appointed as manager of Scotland in December 1993, having been caretaker manager for the games against Italy
and Malta
. Brown took Scotland to Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, but resigned in 2001 having failed to take Scotland to Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002. He was replaced by German Berti Vogts
. Under Brown, Scotland beat England
in the last ever Euro Championship qualifier at the old Wembley in 1999 by one goal to nil, although they lost the tie 2-1 on aggregate. He took charge of Scotland for 70 international matches, more than any other Scotland manager.
in 2002 but left by mutual consent on 29 August 2004 after a poor start to the league campaign. 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
.
In October 2008, 68-year-old Brown was linked to the vacant managerial position with Scottish First Division
side Dundee
, but the job went to Jocky Scott
.
, with Archie Knox
as his assistant. Brown and Knox established Motherwell in the top six of the Scottish Premier League
during their time in charge.
on 8 December 2010. He then had a change of heart after a second approach was made, and was appointed Aberdeen manager on 10 December.
Scotland
Motherwell
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 1 July 1940 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld...
) is a Scottish former professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player and manager. He is currently manager of Aberdeen.
Brown has previously managed Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and 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...
. He was manager of Scotland
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...
from 1993 to 2001, the longest tenure for a Scotland manager. Under Brown, Scotland qualified for both Euro '96 in England and the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
in France.
He was awarded the CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1999 for services to football.
His brother is commentator Jock Brown
Jock Brown
Jock James Brown is a football commentator for STV, previously for BBC Scotland and Setanta Sports.-Professional career:Brown is a solicitor by profession and is currently a partner with Brodies.-Broadcasting:...
.
Playing career
Educated at the former Hamilton AcademyHamilton Academy
Hamilton Academy was a school situated in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.Described as "one of the finest schools in Scotland" in the Cambridge University Press County Biography of 1910, Hamilton Academy featured in the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association Magazine article series on...
, Brown played for the school in Scottish schools competitions and in youth and junior international teams, before joining 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...
in 1958 from Coltness United, aged just 19. He failed to find a regular first team place, and moved to 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...
in October 1960, where he won a League Championship medal. Brown stayed at Dundee for four and a half years, but was never a first team regular and only made 16 appearances for the Dark Blues. He signed for Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
in 1968 and went on to make 17 appearances at Brockville. He called time on his playing career in 1971 after five operations on his knee.
Clyde
Brown quickly showed a keen interest in being involved in the coaching side of football and he became assistant manager of MotherwellMotherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
in 1974. He got his first managerial job as part-time manager of 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...
in 1977, where he spent ten seasons - winning the Second Division championship in 1982 - whilst also working as a primary school head teacher then a lecturer in primary education.
Scotland
He returned to football full-time in 1986 when ScotlandScotland 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...
manager Andy Roxburgh
Andy Roxburgh
Andy Roxburgh is a former Scottish football player and coach. He has been UEFA Technical Director since 1994.- Playing career :...
appointed him as assistant manager. Brown was also 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
1989 FIFA U-16 World Championship
The FIFA U-16 World Championship 1989 was held in the Scottish cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Motherwell, Aberdeen, and Dundee between 10 June and 24 June 1989...
and three years later coached the under-21s
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....
to the semi-finals of the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The UEFA U-21 Championship 1992, which spanned two years , had 32 entrants.Malta and Israel competed for the first time. This was also the first appearance of the unified Germany team.Italy U-21s won the competition....
.
Brown was appointed as manager of Scotland in December 1993, having been caretaker manager for the games against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
and Malta
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
. Brown took Scotland to Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, but resigned in 2001 having failed to take Scotland to Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002. He was replaced by German Berti Vogts
Berti Vogts
Hans-Hubert "Berti" Vogts is a German former footballer. He played for Borussia Mönchengladbach and won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974. He later managed Germany , Scotland and Nigeria...
. Under Brown, Scotland beat England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in the last ever Euro Championship qualifier at the old Wembley in 1999 by one goal to nil, although they lost the tie 2-1 on aggregate. He took charge of Scotland for 70 international matches, more than any other Scotland manager.
Preston North End
He then had a spell in club management when he was appointed as manager of Preston North EndPreston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in 2002 but left by mutual consent on 29 August 2004 after a poor start to the league campaign. He later had a brief spell as football consultant at Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
under former protégé Billy Davies
Billy Davies
William McIntosh "Billy" Davies is a Glasgow-born Scottish football manager, noted for his achievement in the Football League Championship with East Midlands Rivals Derby County and Nottingham Forest and Preston North End which has led him to be described, in 2011, as "probably the best manager at...
, helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2006-07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
.
In October 2008, 68-year-old Brown was linked to the vacant managerial position with Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
side 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...
, but the job went to Jocky Scott
Jocky Scott
John Alexander Scott is a Scottish football coach and former player probably best known for his playing career, and three managerial spells with Dundee. Scott is currently the manager of Scottish Football League club Stirling Albion.- Club career :Scott played for Scotland, Dundee and Aberdeen...
.
Motherwell
On 28 December 2009 it was announced that Brown would be taking charge of MotherwellMotherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, with Archie Knox
Archie Knox
Archibald "Archie" Knox is a Scottish football manager and former player, and is currently the assistant manager of Aberdeen....
as his assistant. Brown and Knox established Motherwell in the top six of the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
during their time in charge.
Aberdeen
Brown, who was working without a contract at Motherwell, rebuffed an initial approach by AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
on 8 December 2010. He then had a change of heart after a second approach was made, and was appointed Aberdeen manager on 10 December.
Managerial statistics
| eam | at | rom | o | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Scotland 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... |
 |
1 November 1993 | 30 October 2001 |
|||||
| Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
 |
29 April 2002 | 29 August 2004 |
|||||
| Motherwell Motherwell F.C. Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998... |
|
29 December 2009 | 10 December 2010 |
|||||
| Aberdeen Aberdeen F.C. Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen... |
|
13 December 2010 | Present |
|||||
Manager
Clyde- Scottish Football League Second DivisionScottish Football League Second DivisionThe Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
Champion: 1
-
- 1982
Scotland
- FIFA U-16 World ChampionshipFIFA U-17 World CupThe FIFA U-17 World Cup, founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later changed to the FIFA U-17 World Championship and known by its current name since 2007, is the world championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Fédération Internationale de Football...
Runner-up: 1
-
- 19891989 FIFA U-16 World ChampionshipThe FIFA U-16 World Championship 1989 was held in the Scottish cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Motherwell, Aberdeen, and Dundee between 10 June and 24 June 1989...
- UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
Semi-finals: 1
- UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
- 19921992 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 1992, which spanned two years , had 32 entrants.Malta and Israel competed for the first time. This was also the first appearance of the unified Germany team.Italy U-21s won the competition....
- 1989
Motherwell
- Scottish Premier League manager of the monthScottish Premier League monthly awardsThis article lists the winners of the Manager, Player and Young Player monthly awards in the Scottish Premier League since the2000–01 season. No Young Player of the Month were awarded in the 2000–01 season. Rising Star awards were issued most months in the 2007–08 season.The awards are currently...
- January 2010
- February 2010