Roger Brown Tribute

Roger Brown - Brakes Legend

Roger Brown - Brakes Legend

The Trust joins the Club in paying tribute to former Brakes player Roger Brown, who sadly passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning at just 58 years of age.

Roger William Brown, born Tamworth 12/12/1952, football career:

Walsall: joined as an apprentice in 1970 and then played for Paget Rangers.

AP Leamington: joined in the summer of 1974 and played over 170 games scoring over 16 goals.
Roger made his debut versus Kings Lynn at home on 17/08/74 in front of 283 fans – Brakes drew 1-1.
As a central defender, he grabbed a rare FA cup hat trick in the Brakes 6-1 demolition of Enderby Town 26/11/1977.
His last game for the Brakes was on 31/01/1978 versus Worcester City. The Brakes drew 1-1, he scored our goal and the crowd was 160.

Moved to AFC Bournemouth February 1978 for £5,000, where he played 63 games scoring 3 goals.

Transferred to Norwich City July 1979 for £85,000, notching up 21 appearances for John Bond’s side. Of those, 16 were in the old First Division, with Brown helping the Canaries to an impressive 12th place finish before being sold on to Fulham at the end of the season.

Transferred to Fulham March 1980 for £100,000, played 161 games,scoring 19 goals.
His goal against Lincoln City on the last day of 1981/82 season gained promotion to the second division for Fulham. He still holds their record for scoring 12 times as a central defender in the same season.

Returned to AFC Bournemouth December 1983 for £35,000, played 83 games (1 sub) scoring 5 goals.
He captained (ex Brake) Harry Redknapp‘s Cherries side when they humbled Manchester Utd in the FA Cup on 7th Jan’84, and holds an Associate Members Cup winning medal for AFC Bournemouth in 1984.

He was a proper centre-half. He used to dominate and win every header. He was a rock. He was a good character and a great leader. I was very sorry to hear of his passing.” – Harry Redknapp.

More from Harry and other colleagues in the Bournemouth Echo trubute.

He later played for Weymouth FC and played for and managed Poole Town in 1986/7.

One of the best” – Tom Killick (Poole boss).

Roger managed Colchester United from 1st November 1987 to 1st October 1988. Brakes fans who travelled to Layer Road for our FA Cup 1st Round tie will remember the feature about his FA C up and Brakes memories in the souvenir programme (picture shown with thanks to the U’s). Roger thanked Leamington for giving him his first break: “Leamington gave me a good grounding in the game and gave me a chance to get playing.” During his time at Layer Road Roger returned to the old Windmill for the farewell match on 21st March 1988.

Roger later helped his brother Gary manage Midland football alliance side Bolehall Swifts.

(stats from Trust member Paul Vanes, linked sites and wiki)

Brakes fans who remember the old Windmill ground era have fond memories:

“He was a real hero for Leamington in the old days, really approachable, and nice guy.”

“R.I.P.Brakes legend. One of my heroes as a youngster sat with my dad in the main stand at the Windmill.”

“A hero of mine too, thanks for the memories Roger, RIP big man.”

“Jimmy Knox’s first signing and arguably his finest.”

“RIP big man, thanks for the memories.”

Comments are open on this post for fans to leave their messages.

On behalf of our members and all Brakes fans the Trust extends our deepest symapthies to Roger Brown’s family and friends.

4 Responses

  1. Paul Crane says:

    Quite simply a Brakes legend who will be fondly remembered by all Leamington fans who had the privilege of seeing him play, my dad and uncle always told me about him but I never saw him play but nevertheless a legend RIP Roger Brown and yes as PA tgman at the NWG I will make sure that a minutes silence will be held for the great man

  2. lee matthews says:

    well said craney,
    RIP Roger,i was only a kid when i saw you play, once seen never forgotten.

  3. Chris Fincham says:

    It was a privelege and a pleasure to see Roger in a Brakes shirt at the Windmill,a true legend, the like of which we will probably never see again. R..I.P.

  4. Biddie says:

    Roger only made a handful of appearances for Weymouth, before moving to Poole, but I remember one of those as I had got married in the morning and gone to the game straight after. Roger was one of the guys that celebrated with us after the game.
    RIP