Allan Brown

Allan Duncan Brown (12 October 1926 – 20 April 2011) was a Scottish football player and manager. Brown played as an inside forward for East Fife, Blackpool, Luton Town, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic. He also represented Scotland, scoring six goals in 14 international appearances, and the Scottish League. Brown was player/manager of Wigan Athletic, and also managed Luton Town, Torquay United, Bury, Nottingham Forest, Southport and Blackpool.

As a player, Brown won the Scottish League Cup with East Fife in 1949–50. As a manager, he guided Luton Town to the Fourth Division title in 1967–68.

Playing career Brown, who was born in Kennoway, Fife, started his professional playing career at East Fife, joining them in 1944 from his local side Kennoway. Brown made 62 league appearances for the Fifers, scoring 20 goals as well as numerous cup appearances. He left in December 1950.

Brown made his full Scotland debut whilst with East Fife in April 1950, a 3–1 win over Switzerland at Hampden Park. This was followed in the same season by two further games away to Portugal and France, as well as helping his club team win the League Cup.

Brown moved to Blackpool for a fee of £26,500 (then the largest fee received by a Scottish club), joining compatriots Jackie Mudie, Ewan Fenton, Hugh Kelly and goalkeeper George Farm, where he earned the nickname Bomber. At Blackpool he enjoyed success; however, he missed the Seasiders' 1951 FA Cup Final appearance after injuring his knee ten days earlier. He also missed the famous 1953 FA Cup Final victory after breaking his leg whilst scoring an 88th-minute winner in the quarter-final against Arsenal on 28 February 1953. On 22 October 1955, Brown was placed on the transfer list of his own volition, reportedly telling club manager Joe Smith he would "only sign for a Scottish club [...] I want to get back over the Border". Brown was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Brown is in the 1950s.

While at Blackpool, Brown won a further eleven international caps, scoring against Wales at both the start of the 1952–53 and 1953–54 seasons. Brown was selected for the 22-man squad for the 1954 World Cup finals. The Scottish FA decided to take only 13 of the 22 to the finals. Brown was among those who travelled. Brown's final two games came in the finals against Austria and Uruguay.

Brown moved to Luton Town in February 1957, After his departure, Blackpool won only one more game, dropped down the table, and were narrowly relegated at the end of the season.

Later that year he moved to Kuwait to manage Quadsia, but returned to manage Blackpool in March 1981 as a replacement for Alan Ball; however, he was unable to prevent their relegation to Division Four for the first time in their history. The following season saw a mid-table finish, and Brown left Blackpool in May 1982.

Death Brown died on 20 April 2011, A wreath was laid behind the South Stand goal before the fixture between Blackpool and Newcastle United at Bloomfield Road three days after his death.

Honours

As a player East Fife Scottish League Cup: 1949–50

Luton Town FA Cup runner-up: 1958–59

As a manager Luton Town Football League Fourth Division: 1967–68