Frank Brown (footballer, born 1890)

Frank Brown (born 1890) was an English football player and manager.

Frank Brown
Personal information
Date of birth 1890
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1910-1914 Barnsley (1914-1915)
1915-1919 Huddersfield Town
1919-1921 Blackpool
1921-1922 Exeter City
1922-1923 Pontypridd
1923- Torquay United
Managerial career
1932-1938 Torquay United
1938-1953 Chester
1954-1955 Stafford Rangers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Brown began his football career with Barnsley in 1910, moving to Rotherham County in 1914 and then to Huddersfield Town in 1915. In August 1919 he joined Blackpool, but struggled to break into the first team and left to join Exeter City in May 1921. He stayed only one season at St. James' Park, moving to Pontypridd in June 1922 before returning to Devon and joining Torquay United in 1923.[1][2]

He retired prior to Torquay achieving league status, but became the club's trainer[2] and with Percy Mackrill in charge saw United elected to the Football League. In May 1932 he was appointed manager of Torquay United, and during his six seasons at the helm at Plainmoor, Torquay finished 10th 3 times, and 20th (out of 22 teams) 3 times.[3][4]

In May 1938, Brown moved to the manager's chair at Chester,[5] leading them to 6th place in Division Three (North) and a second replay against Sheffield Wednesday in the 4th round of the FA Cup in his first season. The war intervened in September 1939 with Chester unbeaten after 3 games of the new season,[6] and Chester joined a regional league alongside the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City.[7] When league football resumed, Chester finished the 1946–47 season in 3rd place and won the Welsh Cup the same year. However, the following seasons saw mid-table finishes at best[6] as he struggled with the limited resources available.[citation needed] He eventually left Chester in May 1953,[5] and was manager of Stafford Rangers in 1954–55.

He died shortly after finishing his football managerial career.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888-1939. SoccerData. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^ a b "Brown, Frank". The Grecian Archive. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Frank Brown". League Managers Association. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Torquay United". Football Club History Database. Richard Rundle. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  5. ^ a b "First team managers". chester-city.co.uk. Steve Mansley. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Chester{1}". Football Club History Database. Richard Rundle. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Fixtures 1939/40". chester-city.co.uk. Steve Mansley. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  8. ^ Insert on Keith Griffiths, 1958 Welsh Cup final programme (Chester v Wrexham, 7/5/58), reference to "late Mr Frank Brown" having originally signed him