John Brown Player Profile

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Personal

  • Full Name: John Brown
  • Born: January 26th, 1962 (Lennoxtown)

Career

  • Position: Defender/Midfielder
  • Signed: May 28th, 1984 (£40,000)
  • First Manager: Archie Knox
  • Dundee Career Totals:
    136 first team competitive appearances
    39 first team competitive goals
  • Also Played For: Hamilton Academical, Rangers


Dundee Career Summary

Competitive Friendlies
1984-85 41 (1) 11 10 2
1985-86 31 (2) 12 1 1
1986-87 38 (1) 13 3 3
1987-88 21 (1) 3 - -
TOTAL 131 (5) 39 14 6

NOTES:
Other Cups may include: Anglo-Scottish Cup, Challenge Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Drybrough Cup, International Soccer League, League Cup, Summer Cup, Texaco Cup.


Biography

John Brown was a wonderful player for Dundee who turned in a number of memorable performances for in his four years at Dens in the mid eighties and playing primarily as a midfielder, he contributed 39 goals in 135 appearances, giving the Dark Blues some terrific memories before returning for a spell as manager in 2013.

Born in Stirling midway through Dundee’s League championship winning season, Brown started his footballing education at St. Mirren Boys’ Club and signed for Hamilton Academical in 1979 with Rangers, St. Mirren, Newcastle and Carlisle all watching his progress.

He spent five years at Douglas Park under five different managers and as a part-time player, worked the same time as a fitter. He put in a number of fine performances for The Accies, including a hat-trick against Berwick Rangers while playing at left-back and this alerted a posse of clubs to his potential.

Amongst those watching was Dundee manager Archie Knox who in his first pre season with the club was giving cause for optimism to the Dundee support with a clutch of summer signings. Knox was the first person to put a concrete offer in for Brown and he was on his way to Dens for his first crack at full-time football when the Dark Blues shelled out £40,000 for his signature.

Brown was signed as a defender but he was soon turning in tenacious, attacking displays for The Dee from midfield. He made his debut at home to Hibs on August 18th 1984, scored his first Dundee goal 11 days later against Kilmarnock in the Skol Cup but it was his next goal in Dundee colours that would turn him into an instant hero.

Without a league win to their name so far that season Dundee went into the derby at Tannadice on September 8th more in hope than in expectation but in a remarkable match, emerged as 4-3 winners with John netting the winner. Three times Dundee took the lead through McWilliams, McKinlay and Harris only for United to level but with 14 minutes remaining, Brown bulleted a header past Billy Thomson for the winner.

The key to success had been in midfield as Knox’s new boys worked a treat where the speedy Rafferty complimented Connor’s craft and the tackling and surging runs of Brown with his powerful shooting and heading ability made him a constant threat.

Nicknamed ‘Bomber’, Brown settled in Carnoustie and his never-say-die attitude and no mean skill made him a firm favourite. In derbies Brown would be on the winning side on five further occasions, including the Forfarshire Cup Final in 1985, where he got the first in a 2-0 win as Dundee lifted the trophy for the first time in fourteen years.

In 1987 Brown put in a tremendous performance in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United at Tynecastle but it was to no avail as The Arabs progressed to the Final. United won the match 3-2 but it came after Billy Thomson broke Dundee hearts when he saved two magnificent late John Brown free kicks which could have forced a replay or even a victory.

His best performances however usually came against Rangers, the club he had supported as a boy and he was instrumental in Dundee victories over the Light Blues on no fewer than six occasions, hitting the winner three times.

In February 1985, Brown netted the only goal of the game to memorably knock Rangers out of the Scottish Cup fourth round at Ibrox and then nine months later went one better (or is that three better?) when he notched a hat-trick against Rangers in the league.

On November 23rd 1985, Dundee recorded a sensational 3-2 win at Dens to give them their fourth successive win in a six game unbeaten run against Rangers. Dundee’s win was all the more remarkable considering that they were down to ten men after 17 minutes when Tosh McKinlay was red carded for a trip on Ted McMinn but a brilliant individual performance from Bomber made sure the points stayed at Dens.

His second goal had come direct from a free kick while his third came from the spot but the first, which he netted after leaving a trail of Rangers defenders in his wake, would be long remembered by the fans. In an era today where every top flight match is filmed, it is a tragedy that that goal and win are lost to posterity with no television cameras at Dens that day.

Brown scored the winner again in a 1-0 league win over the Rangers at Dens in September 1986 and the Govan giants don’t forget such things and signed him for £350,000 in early 1988. His departure came as a huge disappointment to the Dundee support and not just because he had filled in so well as a centre-half since the injury to Jim Duffy.

At Ibrox he would go on to win six league titles, three Scottish Cups and three League Cups but his 18 goals for the Glasgow club in 11 years would be less than half of what he managed for Dundee in four.

After hanging up his boots, Brown would go on to become the coach of the Rangers Under-17 squad and bring through the likes of Scottish internationalists Alan McGregor, Alan Hutton, Charlie Adam and Chris Burke. He would also later coach the Rangers reserve side before taking on his first managerial job at Clyde in 2008 before returning to Ibrox to do some scouting for the then Gers’ boss Ally McCoist.

In February 2013 Brown was appointed as Dundee manager on an interim basis and after the Dark Blues put in a number of impressive displays to make a real fight of staying up, Brown was given the job on a permanent basis before the season ended.

Brown lead Dundee to the top of the SPFL Championship in an ultimately successful title winning campaign but left in February after a year in the job when the promotion push had stuttered.

Brown was a great player who gave his all in a Dark Blue shirt and was amongst the nominees for the Dundee FC Hall of Fame in 2013.

Debut

August 18th, 1984
Dundee 0 - 1 Hibernian

League (Premier Division)


Playing Statistics - First Team Competitive matches (All Seasons)


Competition NPS Win % Draw % Loss %
League 111 (3)312 14-
Scottish Cup 11 (1)6- 2-
League Cup 9 (1)2- --
Totals: 131 (5)392 16-

 Recent Starting Appearances (First Team Competitive matches)
 09/01/88 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A) 3 - 3
 06/01/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H) 0 - 1
 01/01/88 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H) 2 - 0
 26/12/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A) 0 - 2
 19/12/87 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H) 0 - 0

 Recent Goals Scored (First Team Competitive matches)
 15/08/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A) 4 - 0
 12/08/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A) 3 - 0
 12/08/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A) 3 - 0
 09/05/87 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H) 7 - 3
 04/04/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H) 1 - 1

 List of First Team Competitive matches played (click to expand)
 09/01/88 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  3 - 3
 06/01/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 1
 01/01/88 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  2 - 0
 26/12/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 2
 19/12/87 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 0
 16/12/87 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  7 - 1
 12/12/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  6 - 0
 24/11/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 0
 21/11/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 1
 14/11/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 5
 07/11/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  3 - 1
 31/10/87 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  2 - 4
 28/10/87 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  1 - 0
 17/10/87 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  1 - 0
 10/10/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 0
 07/10/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 1
 03/10/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  1 - 1
 26/09/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 0
 23/09/87 Semi Final vs. Aberdeen (N)  0 - 2
 19/09/87 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  1 - 3
 18/08/87 2nd Round vs. Queen's Park (A)  3 - 0
 15/08/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  4 - 0
 12/08/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  3 - 0
 08/08/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 09/05/87 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  7 - 3
 02/05/87 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  3 - 1
 25/04/87 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (1965) (H)  4 - 1
 21/04/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  0 - 0
 18/04/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  4 - 1
 14/04/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 2
 11/04/87 Semi Final vs. Dundee Utd (N)  2 - 3
 04/04/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 28/03/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (A)  1 - 1
 25/03/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  4 - 0
 21/03/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 2
 17/03/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 4
 14/03/87 Quarter Final vs. Clydebank (1965) (A)  4 - 0
 10/03/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  1 - 1
 07/03/87 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 02/03/87 3rd Round 2nd Replay vs. Meadowbank Th (H)  2 - 0
 28/02/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  4 - 1
 21/02/87 4th Round vs. Meadowbank Th (H)  1 - 1
 07/02/87 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (1965) (A)  1 - 1
 04/02/87 3rd Round vs. East Fife (H)  2 - 2
 27/01/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  0 - 2
 01/01/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 2
 13/12/86 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  6 - 3
 06/12/86 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 2
 03/12/86 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  3 - 3
 25/10/86 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  3 - 0
 11/10/86 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 3
 08/10/86 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  3 - 0
 04/10/86 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (1965) (A)  2 - 0
 27/09/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 0
 20/09/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 0
 13/09/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  0 - 0
 06/09/86 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  0 - 2
 03/09/86 Quarter Final vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 3
 30/08/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 2
 27/08/86 3rd Round vs. Montrose (H)  4 - 0
 23/08/86 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  1 - 0
 20/08/86 2nd Round vs. Morton (A)  5 - 2
 16/08/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  3 - 0
 03/05/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 0
 26/04/86 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 2
 19/04/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  4 - 0
 12/04/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  0 - 1
 22/03/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 0
 15/03/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  2 - 1
 12/03/86 Quarter Final Replay vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 2
 08/03/86 Quarter Final vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 2
 08/02/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 3
 18/01/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 2
 11/01/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  3 - 1
 04/01/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 5
 01/01/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 0
 28/12/85 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (A)  0 - 0
 23/12/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (1965) (A)  0 - 0
 14/12/85 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  3 - 1
 07/12/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  1 - 1
 23/11/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  3 - 2
 16/11/85 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  0 - 3
 09/11/85 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 4
 02/11/85 Division One vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 2
 26/10/85 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  3 - 1
 19/10/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (1965) (H)  2 - 0
 28/09/85 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 2
 21/09/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 0
 14/09/85 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 07/09/85 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  3 - 1
 31/08/85 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 3
 28/08/85 2nd Round vs. Hamilton (A)  1 - 2
 24/08/85 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (A)  0 - 2
 21/08/85 1st Round vs. Stranraer (A)  3 - 2
 17/08/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (1965) (A)  0 - 4
 10/08/85 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 1
 11/05/85 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  1 - 0
 04/05/85 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 0
 27/04/85 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  0 - 0
 20/04/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  3 - 0
 13/04/85 Premier Division vs. Dumbarton (H)  1 - 0
 06/04/85 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  2 - 4
 03/04/85 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (A)  0 - 4
 23/03/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  3 - 1
 16/03/85 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 4
 13/03/85 Quarter Final Replay vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 2
 09/03/85 Quarter Final vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 1
 02/03/85 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 0
 23/02/85 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  1 - 0
 20/02/85 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 0
 16/02/85 4th Round vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 0
 09/02/85 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 0
 06/02/85 3rd Round Replay vs. St Johnstone (H)  2 - 1
 05/02/85 3rd Round vs. St Johnstone (A)  1 - 1
 03/02/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  3 - 3
 05/01/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  2 - 2
 01/01/85 Premier Division vs. Dumbarton (A)  0 - 1
 29/12/84 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 0
 15/12/84 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 0
 08/12/84 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  5 - 1
 01/12/84 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 5
 17/11/84 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 2
 10/11/84 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  0 - 2
 03/11/84 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 0
 27/10/84 Premier Division vs. Dumbarton (H)  1 - 1
 20/10/84 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  0 - 2
 13/10/84 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 2
 06/10/84 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  1 - 1
 29/09/84 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 3
 22/09/84 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  2 - 0
 15/09/84 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 0
 08/09/84 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (A)  4 - 3
 05/09/84 Quarter Final vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 1
 01/09/84 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 2
 29/08/84 2nd Round vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 1
 25/08/84 Premier Division vs. Dumbarton (A)  1 - 2
 22/08/84 1st Round vs. Hamilton (H)  3 - 0
 18/08/84 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  0 - 1

 List of First Team Competitive goals scored (click to expand)
 15/08/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  4 - 0
 12/08/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  3 - 0
 12/08/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  3 - 0
 09/05/87 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  7 - 3
 04/04/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 25/03/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  4 - 0
 14/03/87 Quarter Final vs. Clydebank (1965) (A)  4 - 0
 14/03/87 Quarter Final vs. Clydebank (1965) (A)  4 - 0
 10/03/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  1 - 1
 28/02/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  4 - 1
 13/12/86 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  6 - 3
 03/12/86 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  3 - 3
 03/12/86 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  3 - 3
 08/10/86 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  3 - 0
 20/09/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 0
 27/08/86 3rd Round vs. Montrose (H)  4 - 0
 19/04/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  4 - 0
 15/03/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  2 - 1
 08/03/86 Quarter Final vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 2
 18/01/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 2
 11/01/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  3 - 1
 14/12/85 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  3 - 1
 07/12/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  1 - 1
 23/11/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  3 - 2
 23/11/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  3 - 2
 23/11/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  3 - 2
 14/09/85 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 07/09/85 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  3 - 1
 04/05/85 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 0
 20/04/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  3 - 0
 09/03/85 Quarter Final vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 1
 02/03/85 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 0
 16/02/85 4th Round vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 0
 05/02/85 3rd Round vs. St Johnstone (A)  1 - 1
 03/02/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  3 - 3
 22/09/84 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  2 - 0
 15/09/84 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 0
 08/09/84 Premier Division vs. Dundee Utd (A)  4 - 3
 29/08/84 2nd Round vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 1

  = Starting Appearances (Sub Appearances) | = Goals | NPS = Squad Appearances (as Non-Playing Sub) | GtGR = Goals to Games Ratio
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    John was born on this date in Lennoxtown.

    Friday, January 26th, 1962

  • Signed For Dundee

    Monday, May 28th, 1984

  • First Non-Competitive Appearance (Friendly)

    Dortmund 1 - 1 Dundee
    Friendly (Tour of West Germany and Switzerland)

    Dundee got off to a fine start to their West German tour last night when they drew 1-1 with the powerful Borussia Dortmund.Colin Harris was the Dens scorer in their first game of the season an

    Tuesday, July 17th, 1984

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee 0 - 1 Hibernian
    League (Premier Division)

    Bobby Thomson paid full compensation to Hibs at Dens Park yesterday for last season's lengthy ban.For soccer bad boy Thomson scored the goal that ended the Edinburgh side's famine in front of

    Saturday, August 18th, 1984

  • First Goal

    Dundee 1 - 1 Kilmarnock
    League Cup (2nd Round)

    Dundee are through to the quarter final of the Skol Cup, but they did it the hard way against a Kilmarnock side who only got through to the third round after extra time and penalties against Alloa in

    Wednesday, August 29th, 1984

  • First League Goal

    Dundee Utd 3 - 4 Dundee
    League (Premier Division)

    John Clark, United's league Cup scoring hero against Celtic in mid-week, is given the central striking position for the home side in preference to David Dodds who is on the subs bench.Walker M

    Saturday, September 8th, 1984

  • 50th Appearance

    Dundee 1 - 0 Hibernian
    League (Premier Division)

    Cauld winter was howlin' a bit earlier than usual at Dens Park on Saturday, as Dundee beat Hibs more convincingly than the 1-0 margin suggests.The wind, blowing strongly down the slope and mak

    Saturday, September 14th, 1985

  • 50th League Appearance

    Dundee 3 - 1 St Mirren
    League (Premier Division)

    Fears that Dundee striker Graham Harvey sustained a fractured skull scoring his side's first goal in their 3-1 win over St Mirren have proved unfounded.The 24-year-old former Hibs attacker was

    Saturday, December 14th, 1985

  • 100th Appearance

    St Mirren 0 - 1 Dundee
    League (Premier Division)

    All 24 players involved deserved every credit for braving hypothermia. Alas, here endeth the credits.How these two teams scored 17 goals between them in their last three encounters boggles the

    Saturday, March 7th, 1987

  • Last Goal

    Hibernian 0 - 4 Dundee
    League (Premier Division)

    The cloud of euphoria which had hung over Easter Road since the mid week victory over Rangers didn't take long to evaporate as Dundee ran up four with out reply before the break to kill the game.

    Saturday, August 15th, 1987

  • 100th League Appearance

    Dundee 1 - 1 Dundee Utd
    League (Premier Division)

    This wasn't the best Tayside derby of all time. But it contained more than enough incident and controversy to retain the crowd's interest right to the very last second of injury-time.An incred

    Saturday, October 3rd, 1987

  • Last Appearance

    Motherwell 3 - 3 Dundee
    League (Premier Division)

    Saturday, January 9th, 1988