Tom Brown (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Tom Brown is a Scottish
former professional footballer
who spent most of his career with Ipswich Town
. He was also a Commando
during World War II
.
, Brown was born the youngest of four brothers, three of whom played professionally. His oldest brother Jim
began his career in the United States and was a member of the U.S. national team
at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
before retiring from Clyde F.C.
in 1939. His brother John was a Scottish international goalkeeper who played for Hibs
and Clyde
. Each of the brothers apparently left school at a young age to become apprentice riveters at Troon Shipyard. While working as a riveter, Brown also began his football career with Cumnock Juniors before moving to Glenafton Athletic at nearby New Cumnock
in June 1938.
. Despite Brown being am amateur Ipswich sent Glenafton a 'handsome cheque'. However, World War II
soon intervened and Brown went to work as a riveter in the Troon Shipyard, along with his three brothers. At the time, Brown’s oldest brother Jim, who had recently retired from Clyde F.C., was an outspoken union activist. The four brothers were exempt from the draft as members of an essential war time industry. However, Jim’s union activities led to the Troon Shipyard management removing the brothers’ draft exemptions. To avoid the draft, John joined the Navy, Andrew entered the Merchant Marine and Tom became a Commando. Their brother Jim, who had caused the trouble was found to be physically exempt from military service due to punctured eardrums. In 1946, Tom returned to Ipswich Town
, seeing time in only one first team game. However, he gained the starting position during the 1947-1948 season and held that until 1950. During the 1950-1951 season, he played only three first team games and in August 1951, Brown left Ipswich and moved to Bury Town where he finished his career.
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...
former professional footballer
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...
who spent most of his career with Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. He was also a Commando
British Commandos
The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Youth
Born in TroonTroon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
, Brown was born the youngest of four brothers, three of whom played professionally. His oldest brother Jim
Jim Brown (soccer)
James "Jim" Brown was a Scottish American association football player who played for the United States men's national soccer team at the 1930 FIFA World Cup, scoring the only goal of the American team in their 6-1 semi-final loss to Argentina...
began his career in the United States and was a member of the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
before retiring from Clyde F.C.
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 1939. His brother John was a Scottish international goalkeeper who played for Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
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...
. Each of the brothers apparently left school at a young age to become apprentice riveters at Troon Shipyard. While working as a riveter, Brown also began his football career with Cumnock Juniors before moving to Glenafton Athletic at nearby New Cumnock
New Cumnock
New Cumnock is a place in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It expanded during the coal mining era but, like so many others, suffered after the deep shaft pits closed in the 1980's...
in June 1938.
Professional
In October 1938, Glenafton Athletic transferred Brown to Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. Despite Brown being am amateur Ipswich sent Glenafton a 'handsome cheque'. However, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
soon intervened and Brown went to work as a riveter in the Troon Shipyard, along with his three brothers. At the time, Brown’s oldest brother Jim, who had recently retired from Clyde F.C., was an outspoken union activist. The four brothers were exempt from the draft as members of an essential war time industry. However, Jim’s union activities led to the Troon Shipyard management removing the brothers’ draft exemptions. To avoid the draft, John joined the Navy, Andrew entered the Merchant Marine and Tom became a Commando. Their brother Jim, who had caused the trouble was found to be physically exempt from military service due to punctured eardrums. In 1946, Tom returned to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, seeing time in only one first team game. However, he gained the starting position during the 1947-1948 season and held that until 1950. During the 1950-1951 season, he played only three first team games and in August 1951, Brown left Ipswich and moved to Bury Town where he finished his career.