James Brown

Career Hartlepool United Born in Cramlington, Northumberland, It was reported on 27 August 2008 that Celtic were interested in signing Brown after he was scouted by manager Gordon Strachan during Hartlepool's 3–1 League Cup win against Premier League side West Brom. The Daily Record reported that Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers were also monitoring Brown's progress.

Brown was released by Hartlepool on 10 May 2012. His time at Hartlepool was plagued by injuries which included two cruciate ligament injuries, an ankle injury and a persistent knee problem.

Gateshead Brown signed for Conference Premier side Gateshead on 6 June 2012. His debut was delayed due to requiring surgery on a double hernia. He eventually made his Gateshead debut on 6 October 2012 as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw against Hyde. He made his first start for Gateshead three days later in a 2–2 draw with Macclesfield Town. Brown scored his first goal for Gateshead on 22 February 2013 in the return game against Macclesfield Town. He made his 50th appearance for Gateshead on 11 January 2014, scoring in a 2–1 win over Nuneaton Town.

Aged 27, Brown retired from professional football in November 2014 due to a persistent knee injury. In Stelling's book Jelleyman's Thrown a Wobbly, he revealed that a fan of Stelling's programme Soccer Saturday, had waited for three hours outside hospital which he was visiting for charity to present with the doll to be used whenever James Brown scored.

Personal life Following his retirement from professional football, Brown started working as a driving instructor.

Career statistics

A. The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals in The Football League and Football Conference. B. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the FA Trophy, Football League Trophy and play-offs.

Honours Hartlepool United Football League Two second-place promotion: 2006–07