Chris Brown (footballer, born 1984): Difference between revisions

Christopher Alan "Chris" Brown (born 11 December 1984, Durham, England) is an English footballer, who currently plays for English club Preston North End.

A prolific goalscorer at school and youth level, Brown rose through the youth ranks at the team he supported as a boy, Sunderland, making his debut for the under-19 team at the age of just 15. However, Brown suffered a setback in 2002 when he damaged his cruciate ligament whilst playing for the reserve side, forcing him to miss the entire 2002/2003 season. During this season Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League.

After making a successful recovery, Brown was promoted to the Sunderland first team, and was allocated the number 31 shirt for the club's first season back in the First Division. During the season, Brown was loaned to Doncaster Rovers, where he made 22 appearances during his seven month stay, scoring 10 goals. Brown ended the season with a Nationwide Division Three winners medal, finishing four points ahead of future club Hull City, who finished second.

Brown was handed the number 20 squad number at Sunderland for the 04/05 season, with many tipping Brown to break through into the first team that season as the club bounced back from a play-off defeat to Crystal Palace the year below. Brown was named as an unused substitute for the trip to Plymouth on August 21, and officially Brown made his debut for Sunderland on September 21, scoring twice in the 3-3 draw with Crewe Alexandra in the Carling Cup. Although Sunderland lost the game on penalties, Brown impressed enough to retain his place for the trip to Leeds United four days later, with the game resuling in a 1-0 victory for Sunderland.

Brown featured throughout the season for Sunderland, making 14 starts and 23 substitute appearances, scoring 7 goals. Although mainly being used as a substitute during the first half of the season, Brown enjoyed an extended run in the side towards the end of the campaign, as Sunderland clinched the newly renamed Football League Championship title and won promotion. At the end of the season, Brown was beaten by team-mate Stephen Elliott for the club's "young player of the year" award.

Brown featured for Sunderland during the pre-season tour of U.S. and Canada, though was told by manager Mick McCarthy that he needed to gain further first team experience on loan at another club. Brown made a second half substitute appearance against Liverpool FC at Anfield on August 20, and later joined Championship side Hull on loan on September 8 until January. Brown struggled during his time at the KC Stadium however, scoring once in 13 appearances, and was recalled by Sunderland in November. After three appearances back at Sunderland however, Brown picked up an injury which would sideline him until March, by which time Sunderland looked destined for relegation after a disaster of a season.

Brown featured regularly for Sunderland after making his return, however could not save the club from the drop as the Black Cats were relegated with a new record low of just 15 points. Brown did manage to score in the club's final home game of the season against Fulham FC on May 4 - one of only three victories for the club in the league.

Brown became a regular for Sunderland under new boss Roy Keane during the 06/07 season, scoring 3 goals in 16 appearances.

Brown completed a £325,000 move to Norwich on January 11 2007 [1], signing a two-and-a-half year contract. [2] Upon signing he was allocated the number 14 shirt previously worn by Leon McKenzie. He was sent off for a second bookable offence on his first start for Norwich.

He made his debut as a substitute in the 3-1 league defeat against Plymouth and made his full debut against Blackpool in the FA cup 4th round although he was sent off in the 2nd half. Shortly after his suspension he suffered a hamstring injury which disrupted the start of his Norwich career.

On 23 October 2007, in his 20^th appearance for the club in all competitions, Brown opened his Norwich City account with a goal against Burnley in a 2-1 defeat.

On January 10th 2008, Brown completed a £400,000 Move to Preston North End. Brown made his debut against Watford and received the man of the match award after an impressive performance. Since then Brown has established himself as a regular starter in an improving North End team, scoring four goals in the process. He is widely credited by Preston fans as being the catalyst behind the team's recent run of good form, which has seen them lose only two of their last 16. Preston were sitting at the foot of the Championship before Brown's arrival. They are now comfortable just below mid-table. Chris Brown is expected to be one of the main contenders for the 'Player of the Year' award, despite his relatively short time at the club.

• Football League Third Division (IV): 2004
• Football League Championship (II): 2005, 2007

• Chris Brown player profile at pnefc.net
• Chris Brown player profile at hullcityafc.net
• Chris Brown at Soccerbase