Roy Brown (footballer, born 1923)

Roy Henry Brown (20 December 1923 – 1989) was an English professional footballer who played as both a centre half and a striker. Brown was the first black player in the history of his first team, Stoke City.[2] Brown also played for Watford, making a total of 212 appearances in the Football League for both clubs.[3] His brother later became Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent.[1][4]

Roy Brown
Personal information
Full name Roy Henry Brown[1]
Date of birth (1923-12-20)20 December 1923[1]
Place of birth Stoke-on-Trent, England[1]
Date of death 1989 (aged 65–66)[1]
Place of death Bushey, England[1]
Playing position(s) Centre half, forward
Youth career
1939–1946 Stoke City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1946–1953 Stoke City 70 (14)
1953–1958 Watford 142 (40)
1958–19xx Chelmsford City
Total 212 (54)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Brown was born in Stoke-on-Trent and was the son of a Nigerian father, and English mother.[1] He joined Stoke City in 1939 and played for the club during World War II whilst also serving with the army.[1] The Football League resumed in 1946–47 with Brown making history on 28 September 1946 playing in Stoke's 3–1 win over Preston North End he became the club's first black player and he ended the season with four appearances.[1] He was used a back-up utility player by manager Bob McGrory eventually playing regularly in 1950–51 where he played in 29 matches.[1] He scored eight goals in 16 matches during the 1952–53 campaign the second highest as Stoke suffered relegation from the First Division.[1]

Brown now seeking regular first team football left the Victoria Ground in the summer of 1953 for Third Division South side Watford. He spent the first season with the "Hornets" as a centre forward and he scored 21 goals as Watford finished in 4th position. He remained at Vicarage Road for four more seasons before ending his career with non-league Chelmsford City.

Career statistics

Source:[5]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke City 1946–47 First Division 400040
1947–48 700070
1948–49 200020
1949–50 001010
1950–51 26430294
1951–52 15200152
1952–53 16800168
Total 7014407414
Watford 1953–54 Third Division South 3621103721
1954–55 3113103213
1955–56 29221312
1956–57 37410384
1957–58 900090
Total 142405114741
Career Total 212549122155
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References
  1. Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. "First Black Footballers To Play For Premier League Clubs". EPL Talk. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  3. "Roy Brown". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  4. Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 47. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  5. Roy Brown at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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