Laurie Brown

Who was Laurie Brown?

Laurence Brown was an English former football player, football manager and father of field hockey player Karen Brown.

Brown was born in Shildon, County Durham and started his career at non-league side Bishop Auckland and then Woking. He also made three appearances as an amateur for Darlington at the end of the 1958-59 season. He performed well enough to be picked for the England amateur team, and the Great Britain side at the 1960 Olympics in Rome; the British team failed to progress to the knockout stage and came eighth overall.

On his return to England he turned professional and signed for Northampton Town, and was the club's scorer in 1960-61 as they were promoted to the Third Division. However, he had been switched from centre-forward into central defence, and from then on flourished in that position. In August 1961 he was signed by First Division Arsenal, and immediately became a first-team regular in the Arsenal side.

Brown amassed 109 appearances for the Gunners in two-and-a-half seasons, scoring two goals.