Aaron Brown (footballer born 1980)
Encyclopedia
Aaron Wesley Brown is an English professional footballer who plays for Darlington
. His younger brother Marvin
also played professionally and both were with Bristol City at the same time.
, at an early age, becoming a trainee and turning professional in August 1998. He had a spell on loan at Exeter City
in January 2000 before establishing himself at Ashton Gate
and becoming a popular player amongst the Ashton Gate faithful. In 2001 Bristol City turned down an offer of £400,000 for Brown from West Bromwich Albion
. In March 2002, Brown received whiplash
when he, along with City teammate Kevin Amankwaah
, was in a car driven by a former City trainee, Rohan King, that collided with another vehicle.
in July 2004. His QPR career was plagued with injuries, and he had loan spells with Torquay United
(March to May 2005) and Cheltenham Town
(September to October 2005).
, Brown joined Swindon Town
on loan in November 2005. The deal became permanent in January 2006. Brown thanked the then Swindon boss Iffy Onuora
and the club for saving his career.
On Brown's return to Ashton Gate, Swindon's relegation was confirmed. With Swindon needing a win, they only managed to produce a draw despite Brown's fine performance which was capped off by an impressive solo goal. During the pre-season of 2006-07
, Brown requested a transfer away from the County Ground
, stating that he needed to pursue his career at a higher level. A trial at Doncaster Rovers
was followed by an offer from Brentford
which Brown turned down as he felt he could find a "better club" but he returned to the club after his unsuccessful trial period.
A pre-season friendly appearance at home to Crystal Palace
after requesting to be taken off the transfer list saw Brown booed and jeered by the home fans. Despite this, he resolved to remain at the club and work hard to regain his place. In February 2007 he was forced to apologise after gesturing to the travelling Swindon fans in the 1-0 defeat away to Barnet
.
and on 20 June 2007 he signed for Gillingham
. He scored his first goal for Gillingham against Bristol Rovers
on 27 October 2007, but was transfer listed on 5 June 2008.
side Lincoln City
on one year deal after his contract at Gillingham
was terminated. He made his debut for the side in a 1–0 defeat to Rotherham United
on the opening day of the 2008–09 season. After making over 50 appearances for the club, Brown's contract was cancelled by mutual consent on 1 February 2010.
side Wrexham after impressing on trial at the Welsh club, making his debut two days later in a 3–0 win over Histon
. At the end of the season, Brown was not offered a new deal with the club and was subsequently released.
of the Conference National
on 20 August 2010.
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. His younger brother Marvin
Marvin Brown
Marvin Davon Brown is an English football forward currently playing for Southern Football League Premier Division side Chippenham Town F.C.. He has formerly played League football....
also played professionally and both were with Bristol City at the same time.
Bristol City
He joined his local team, Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, at an early age, becoming a trainee and turning professional in August 1998. He had a spell on loan at Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
in January 2000 before establishing himself at Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average...
and becoming a popular player amongst the Ashton Gate faithful. In 2001 Bristol City turned down an offer of £400,000 for Brown from West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. In March 2002, Brown received whiplash
Whiplash (medicine)
Whiplash is a non-medical term describing a range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck associated with extension. The term "whiplash" is a colloquialism...
when he, along with City teammate Kevin Amankwaah
Kevin Amankwaah
Kevin Kwaku Osei-Kuffour Amankwaah is a Ghanaian-English footballer, currently playing for Burton Albion. He has had many injuries including a car crash in 2002...
, was in a car driven by a former City trainee, Rohan King, that collided with another vehicle.
Queens Park Rangers
After recovering from a serious leg injury, Brown felt that it was time to move on to progress his career and much to many City fans' disgust (fuelled by comments made by Brown) he joined Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in July 2004. His QPR career was plagued with injuries, and he had loan spells with Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
(March to May 2005) and Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
(September to October 2005).
Swindon Town
After an unsuccessful trial with BarnsleyBarnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, Brown joined Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on loan in November 2005. The deal became permanent in January 2006. Brown thanked the then Swindon boss Iffy Onuora
Iffy Onuora
Ifem "Iffy" Onuora is a coach a former professional footballer born in Scotland of Nigerian descent.He was recently the head coach of the Ethiopia national team...
and the club for saving his career.
On Brown's return to Ashton Gate, Swindon's relegation was confirmed. With Swindon needing a win, they only managed to produce a draw despite Brown's fine performance which was capped off by an impressive solo goal. During the pre-season of 2006-07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
, Brown requested a transfer away from the County Ground
County Ground, Swindon
The County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, England. It is home to Swindon Town Football Club and has been for over a century.The current capacity is 15,728, all-seated...
, stating that he needed to pursue his career at a higher level. A trial at Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
was followed by an offer from Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
which Brown turned down as he felt he could find a "better club" but he returned to the club after his unsuccessful trial period.
A pre-season friendly appearance at home to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
after requesting to be taken off the transfer list saw Brown booed and jeered by the home fans. Despite this, he resolved to remain at the club and work hard to regain his place. In February 2007 he was forced to apologise after gesturing to the travelling Swindon fans in the 1-0 defeat away to Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
.
Gillingham
On 9 May 2007 it was announced that Brown was one of six players released by Swindon boss Paul SturrockPaul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
and on 20 June 2007 he signed for Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
. He scored his first goal for Gillingham against Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on 27 October 2007, but was transfer listed on 5 June 2008.
Lincoln City
On 30 June 2008, Brown joined Football League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
on one year deal after his contract at Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
was terminated. He made his debut for the side in a 1–0 defeat to Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
on the opening day of the 2008–09 season. After making over 50 appearances for the club, Brown's contract was cancelled by mutual consent on 1 February 2010.
Wrexham
On 25 March 2010 he signed for Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Wrexham after impressing on trial at the Welsh club, making his debut two days later in a 3–0 win over Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
. At the end of the season, Brown was not offered a new deal with the club and was subsequently released.
Darlington
Brown signed for DarlingtonDarlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
of the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
on 20 August 2010.