Mark Brown (footballer, born 1981)

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Mark Brown
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-02-28) 28 February 1981 (age 42)
Place of birth Motherwell, Scotland
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1997–1999 Rangers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1999–2001 Rangers 4 (0)
2001–2002 Motherwell 19 (0)
2002–2007 Inverness CT 170 (0)
2007–2010 Celtic 13 (0)
2009–2010Kilmarnock (loan) 14 (0)
2010–2012 Hibernian 33 (0)
2012–2015 Ross County 63 (0)
2015–2017 Dumbarton 22 (0)
Total338(0)
International career
2005–2006 Scotland B 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mark Brown (born 28 February 1981) is a Scottish former professional footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.

Contents

Brown played for both Old Firm clubs, Rangers and Celtic, and also played for Motherwell, Inverness CT, Kilmarnock, Hibernian, Ross County and Dumbarton. Brown represented Scotland B twice, during his time with Inverness.

Club career

Early career

Brown, a goalkeeper, started his career with Rangers, where he made just five first team appearances as a young player, before moving on to Motherwell. Brown made 19 appearances with Motherwell before the club's financial difficulties forced them into administration; Brown was one of 19 players released by the club to lessen its wage bill. [1]

Inverness CT

Brown earned a contract with Inverness CT in the summer of 2002 after impressing then-manager Steve Paterson, and quickly became an indispensable member of the first team squad. Brown also played international football for Scotland B.

After joining Inverness, Brown's reputation as a talented goalkeeper grew, helped by his performances for the club in the Scottish First Division, the Scottish Cup and the SPL. The highlights of his career include a Scottish Cup Player of the Round award in March 2003, after his performance in goal helped Inverness to a 1–0 quarter-final win against Celtic.

Celtic

With Brown's contract due to expire in the summer of 2007, Inverness CT accepted an undisclosed "six figure" transfer fee from Celtic for the goalkeeper's services in January, rather than risk him leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season. [2] The player joins the list of players to have crossed the Old Firm divide and play for both teams. Brown largely served Celtic as a back-up to Artur Boruc, making only 13 league appearances for the club. The signings of Dominic Cervi and Łukasz Załuska pushed Brown down Celtic's selection order.

Hibernian expressed interest in signing Brown during the summer of 2009, but Celtic rejected this approach as they wanted a transfer fee for his services. [3] Brown was then loaned instead to fellow SPL side Kilmarnock in September 2009, until January 2010. [4] Kilmarnock required cover for the injured Alan Combe; [4] Brown played in 14 league matches for the Ayrshire side.

Hibernian

Celtic released Brown in January 2010, which allowed him to sign for Hibernian. [5] Brown competed with Graeme Smith and Graham Stack for the Hibernian goalkeeping position, an area which manager John Hughes said had caused him "concern". [5] Brown did not play for Hibs during the rest of the 2009–10 season, partly due to injury. [6] He had to wait until a 3–0 defeat by Rangers on 22 August to make his debut for Hibs, 204 days after he signed for the club. [7]

Brown kept his place in the Hibs team until January 2011, when new manager Colin Calderwood decided to give opportunities to his other goalkeepers under a rotation policy. [8] Brown played less often during the 2011–12 season, featuring only in Scottish League Cup ties during the early part of the season. [9] He played in four games during January after Stack was injured, but he was dropped after a 4–0 defeat against Rangers. [9] Stack was then injured during the Scottish Cup semi-final victory against Aberdeen, allowing Brown to play for the rest of the season. [9]

Despite a poor performance in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final defeat by Hearts, his agent Kevin Drinkell said that Hibs wanted to agree a new contract with Brown. [10] Later in the close season, however, Hibs signed Ben Williams as first choice goalkeeper and gave a new contract to Calum Antell. [11] Brown then went on trial with Southend United. [12]

Ross County

Brown signed for Ross County in August 2012 [13] [14] and made his debut the same month in a Scottish League Cup 4–1 defeat to Raith Rovers. [13] [14] He signed a new contract with Ross County in June 2013. [15] After playing 30 times during the 2013–14 season, Brown signed a new one-year contract on 19 May 2014, the new deal also including taking up the position of the club's goalkeeping coach. [16] At the end of the 2014–15 season, Brown was released by Ross County. [17]

Dumbarton

In June 2015, after leaving Ross County the previous month, Brown signed a two-year deal with Scottish Championship side Dumbarton. [18] He left the club and retired from the game in March 2017 after making 32 appearances over almost two seasons, to take up a role with the Police. [19]

Career statistics

As of 7 January 2017 [20]
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOther [note 1] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rangers 1999–2000 100010000020
2000–01 300000000030
Total400010000050
Motherwell 2001–02 19000100000200
Inverness 2002–03 36040300010440
2003–04 36050100050470
2004–05 38020200000420
2005–06 37040300000440
2006–07 23010200000260
Total170016011000602030
Celtic 2006–07 100000000010
2007–08 800000100090
2008–09 400000000040
Total13000001000140
Kilmarnock (loan) 2009–10 14000100000150
Hibernian 2010–11 26010100000280
2011–12 7030300000130
Total33040400000410
Ross County 2012–13 13020100000160
2013–14 28010100000300
2014–15 22010200000250
Total63040400000710
Dumbarton 2015–16 21030100020270
2016–17 100040000050
Total22030500020320
Career total338027027010804010

International career

Brown's impressive form for Inverness Caledonian Thistle earned him a call-up to the Scotland "B" squad, where he played part of the second half in a friendly against Austria in April 2005 and the first half against Turkey in March 2006. [21]

Honours

Inverness CT

Celtic

Notes

  1. Includes other competitive competitions, including the Scottish Challenge Cup.

See also

Related Research Articles

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Season 2006–07 was a mixed season for Hibernian; their league form suffered from extended cup runs, and they eventually finished sixth. The reward for their cup form was a first trophy in 16 years, thrashing Kilmarnock 5–1 in the final to lift the CIS Cup. Hibs were knocked out of the Scottish Cup in a semi-final replay by Dunfermline.

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Season 2008–09 for Hibernian was their tenth consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League. The SPL season began on 9 August 2008 with a 1–0 defeat at Kilmarnock. The team were eliminated from each cup competition at the first hurdle, due to defeats by IF Elfsborg in the last Intertoto Cup, Greenock Morton in the Scottish League Cup and Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts in the Scottish Cup. The team was inconsistent in the league, and only squeezed into the top six by a single point ahead of Motherwell. This led to the resignation of manager Mixu Paatelainen at the end of the season. One bright spot for the club was the performance of the under-19 team, which won the Scottish league & cup double.

Season 2005–06 was a season of missed opportunities for Hibernian. The team started strongly in the league, winning 10 of their first 14 games, but this form dipped after Christmas. The Scottish Cup seemed to be opening up for Hibs after they defeated Rangers 3–0 at Ibrox in the fourth round, but they then lost 4–0 in an Edinburgh derby semi–final against Hearts. Hibs lost 3–0 in the quarter–final of the Scottish League Cup at Dunfermline, and were well beaten by Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the UEFA Cup.

Season 2009–10 for Hibernian was their eleventh consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League. The SPL season began on 15 August 2009, with a 2–1 win against St Mirren at home. After a very strong start to the season in which they challenged for the league leadership, Hibs then had a slump in form in the later part of the season. The team eventually secured a Europa League place via finishing fourth in the SPL by winning 2–0 on the final day at Tannadice. Hibs were eliminated from the Scottish Cup in a quarter final replay by Ross County and were knocked out of the Scottish League Cup in the third round by St Johnstone.

Season 2000–01 was Hibs' second season in the Scottish Premier League, after gaining promotion from the First Division in 1999. 2000–01 proved to be a successful season for Hibs, as they started the season extremely well and eventually finished third, qualifying for the 2001–02 UEFA Cup. The club also had a good Scottish Cup run, reaching the 2001 Scottish Cup Final, but were beaten 3–0 by treble winners Celtic at Hampden Park. The season was also memorable for Hibs fans due to a 6–2 win in an Edinburgh derby against Hearts.

Season 2010–11 for Hibernian was their 12th consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League. It was the first season played in the redeveloped Easter Road stadium, with its capacity increased to over 20,000 for the first time since it became an all-seater stadium in the early 1990s. The SPL season began on 15 August 2010 with a 3–2 win at Motherwell. Hibs competed in the UEFA Europa League, losing 6–2 on aggregate to Slovenian club NK Maribor. They also lost at the first stage of competition in the Scottish League Cup, losing 3–1 at Kilmarnock. Those cup defeats and a poor start to the league season led to manager John Hughes leaving by mutual consent in early October. Colin Calderwood was appointed as the new manager, but struggled to make any sort of impression, as they were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Ayr United and fell into a relegation battle. A winning streak after the January transfer window meant any danger was quickly averted, but the team still finished in the bottom six.

Season 2011–12 for Hibernian was their 13th consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League (SPL). The season began on 24 July with a 2–0 home defeat by Celtic, who eliminated Hibs from the Scottish League Cup. With the club near the bottom of the league, manager Colin Calderwood was sacked and replaced with Pat Fenlon in November. Fenlon made several signings during January that helped the club to avoid relegation from the SPL. Hibs also reached the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, but this was lost 5–1 to local rivals Hearts.

The 2012–13 season was Ross County's first season in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted as champions of the Scottish First Division at the end of 2011–12 season. They also competed in the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

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The 2015–16 season was the club's 3rd season in the Scottish Premiership and their fourth consecutive appearance in the top flight of Scottish football. Ross County also competed in the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

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References

  1. Nisbet, John (1 May 2002). "Motherwell players angry at being cast adrift". The Independent . Retrieved 30 January 2010.[ dead link ]
  2. "Celtic sign up goalkeeper Brown". BBC Sport website. 18 January 2007.
  3. McLauchlin, Brian (8 July 2009). "Hibs switch goalkeeping targets". BBC Sport . Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Mark Brown joins Kilmarnock on loan". Celtic FC. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Hibs bring in Brown". Sky Sports. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  6. Bathgate, Stuart (8 May 2010). "John Hughes claims Rob Jones would have prevented Hibs' 6–6 'defeat'". The Scotsman . Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  7. Hardie, David (24 August 2010). "Hibs keeper Mark Brown not disillusioned despite conceding three on debut". Edinburgh Evening News . Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  8. Hardie, David (19 February 2011). "Hibs: I will be No.1 for keeps – Stack". Edinburgh Evening News . Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Hardie, David (19 April 2012). "Hibs: Pat Fenlon backs stand-in keeper Mark Brown to shine in final games". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  10. "Tribunal to judge Fenlon gesture". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  11. "Antell extends deal at Hibernian". BBC Sport. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  12. Hardie, David (21 July 2012). "Leigh Griffiths returns to Hibs on loan". sport.scotsman.com. Johnston Press. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Ross County snap up former Hibs keeper Mark Brown". Daily Record. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  14. 1 2 Chalk, Paul (28 August 2012). "Adams captures keeper Brown". Highland News. Scottish Provincial Press. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  15. "Goalkeeper Mark Brown extends stay at Ross County". BBC Sport. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  16. "Ross County duo sign new deals while Evangelos Oikonomou departs". STV Sport. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  17. "Ross County to release 14 players at end of season". BBC Sport. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  18. Findlay, Alan (17 June 2015). "SIGNING NEWS : GOALIE MAKES MOVE TO DUMBARTON". Dumbarton F.C. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  19. Findlay, Alan. "MARK BROWN". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  20. Mark Brown at Soccerbase
  21. "Austria B 2–1 Scotland B". BBC Sport website. 19 April 2005.