Gary Brazil
Encyclopedia
Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league
.
Starting out at Crystal Palace
, he turned professional with Sheffield United
in 1980, Five years later, following a loan spell with Port Vale
, he signed with Preston North End
. He spent four seasons with Preston, then spent one season at Newcastle United
, before transferring to Fulham
in 1990. After a six year spell with the club he moved on to Cambridge United
, Barnet
, and finally Slough Town
. Following this he spent two brief periods as manager of Notts County
.
straight from school in 1979 Brazil immediately found it difficult to make any sort of impact at Selhurst Park
with manager Terry Venables
opting to leave Gary out of the exciting young team that were rather prematurely labelled the team of the 80's. Indeed Gary stayed with Palace for just twelve months before he was given the opportunity of first team football with Sheffield United
, signing on a free transfer in August 1980.
was a mixed affair for although United gave Brazil his real break in the game he was invariably used as a substitute or played in midfield or as a winger instead of in his favourite role as a supporting striker. In fact in nearly five years at United Gary played 78 games of which 30 were as a substitute, scoring 10 goals. During his time at United Gary also enjoyed a short loan spell at Port Vale
in August 1985 where he scored three goals in six appearances.
were offered the chance to go on loan to struggling Preston North End
with a view to making the deal permanent. Although Brazil and Atkins couldn't stop Preston from being relegated they did make enough of an impact to secure a permanent £25,000 joint move to Deepdale
. The next season again was a disappointment, although he was now a regular and scoring frequently Preston finished the season in 91st place in the Football League, forcing the powers that be at Deepdale to make vast changes.
With many of the older players having left, a new manager in John McGrath and a new plastic pitch laid for the start of the 1986–87 season gave Preston new optimism. Brazil was however by this time disillusioned with the life at Preston and prior to the season went on a months loan to Mansfield Town
with the view to making the deal permanent. He failed to impress stags boss Ian Greaves
though and he was back at Deepdale for the start of the season. Having spoken with boss McGrath Brazil decided to come off the transfer list and duly formed a lethal partnership with John Thomas (one of the few plus points from the season before) scoring nearly 50 goals between them as Preston powered to promotion, Brazil also winning the clubs player of the year
award. The following season was though one of consolidation with Preston finishing comfortably in mid table after a poor start and also narrowly missing out on a Wembley cup final when they lost to Burnley
in the Sherpa Van Trophy semi-final. Brazil again scored regularly, bagging 20 goals for the second successive season.
The following season was to be his last with Preston. Preston again started poorly but as results picked up Gary's performances began to attract the attention of the big guns and in February 1989 Gary moved to Newcastle United
for a fee of £200,000 of which half was made up in a swap deal with Ian Bogie
making the trip to Deepdale. In all Gary played 202 games for Preston scoring a very respectable 72 goals.
meant that Gary couldn't create a lasting impact at Newcastle and after just 18 months in which he played 27 games scoring just 2 goals he was on the move again, this time to Fulham
for a fee of £110,000. His time at Fulham was personally a happy one, although the club were generally struggling, Brazil in six seasons at Craven Cottage
played 254 matches scoring 60 goals becoming a firm favourite with the Fulham fans and finding the sort of form that had made him such a favourite with the Preston fans only a few years earlier.
and Barnet
where the fans nicknamed him "The Nutter", before moving into non-league football with Slough Town
.
, first as a coach and then as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce
. Following his boss’ departure to Bolton
in October 1999, Brazil was prompted to take charge of a Magpies’ team that was enjoying a promising start to the season. The team faltered during the first half of 2000 and Brazil was demoted back down to assistant manager in May 2000, making way for Jocky Scott
. He did receive a second chance at the helm between October and November 2001 after Scott was sacked following repeated clashes with the board, but this short reign was ended abruptly when Brazil was fired after failing to win a game over a five week period.
He went on to Doncaster Rovers
as youth team coach. During the 2006–07 season Brazil returned to Fulham and is currently coaching the Academy U-18s.
English Football League
English football league is not specific; it may refer to:* The Football League - the highest four divisions of English football until 1992 and the three divisions below the Premier League since 1992;...
.
Starting out at 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...
, he turned professional with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in 1980, Five years later, following a loan spell with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, he signed with Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. He spent four seasons with Preston, then spent one season at Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, before transferring to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in 1990. After a six year spell with the club he moved on to Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
, 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....
, and finally Slough Town
Slough Town F.C.
Slough Town F.C. is an English semi-professional football club. The club was officially founded in 1890 after the amalgamation of three local clubs, Swifts, Slough Albion and Young Men's Friendly Society, who between them forged a new club, Slough F.C....
. Following this he spent two brief periods as manager of Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
.
Early days at Palace
Having joined Crystal PalaceCrystal 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...
straight from school in 1979 Brazil immediately found it difficult to make any sort of impact at Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park is an English football stadium located in the London suburb of South Norwood in the Borough of Croydon. It is the current home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. Its present capacity is 26,309.-History:...
with manager Terry Venables
Terry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
opting to leave Gary out of the exciting young team that were rather prematurely labelled the team of the 80's. Indeed Gary stayed with Palace for just twelve months before he was given the opportunity of first team football with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, signing on a free transfer in August 1980.
Sheffield United
His time a Bramall LaneBramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
was a mixed affair for although United gave Brazil his real break in the game he was invariably used as a substitute or played in midfield or as a winger instead of in his favourite role as a supporting striker. In fact in nearly five years at United Gary played 78 games of which 30 were as a substitute, scoring 10 goals. During his time at United Gary also enjoyed a short loan spell at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in August 1985 where he scored three goals in six appearances.
A Preston hero
It was in February 1985 that Brazil was given the chance of regular football when he, along with United defender Bob AtkinsBob Atkins
Robert Gary Atkins is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Sheffield United and Preston North End.-Early years:...
were offered the chance to go on loan to struggling Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
with a view to making the deal permanent. Although Brazil and Atkins couldn't stop Preston from being relegated they did make enough of an impact to secure a permanent £25,000 joint move to Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
. The next season again was a disappointment, although he was now a regular and scoring frequently Preston finished the season in 91st place in the Football League, forcing the powers that be at Deepdale to make vast changes.
With many of the older players having left, a new manager in John McGrath and a new plastic pitch laid for the start of the 1986–87 season gave Preston new optimism. Brazil was however by this time disillusioned with the life at Preston and prior to the season went on a months loan to Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
with the view to making the deal permanent. He failed to impress stags boss Ian Greaves
Ian Greaves
Ian Denzil Greaves was an English football player and manager. He was born in Crompton, Lancashire. He won a League Championship medal and an FA Cup runners-up medal while playing fullback for Manchester United between 1953 and 1960...
though and he was back at Deepdale for the start of the season. Having spoken with boss McGrath Brazil decided to come off the transfer list and duly formed a lethal partnership with John Thomas (one of the few plus points from the season before) scoring nearly 50 goals between them as Preston powered to promotion, Brazil also winning the clubs player of the year
Preston North End Player of the Year Award Winners
Winners of the official Preston North End F.C. Player of the Year Award since its inception in 1967–68:...
award. The following season was though one of consolidation with Preston finishing comfortably in mid table after a poor start and also narrowly missing out on a Wembley cup final when they lost to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
in the Sherpa Van Trophy semi-final. Brazil again scored regularly, bagging 20 goals for the second successive season.
The following season was to be his last with Preston. Preston again started poorly but as results picked up Gary's performances began to attract the attention of the big guns and in February 1989 Gary moved to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
for a fee of £200,000 of which half was made up in a swap deal with Ian Bogie
Ian Bogie
Ian Bogie is a former footballer, now football manager. He spent two decades as a professional player, from 1985 up until 2001 he was playing in the Football League, where he made 382 appearances....
making the trip to Deepdale. In all Gary played 202 games for Preston scoring a very respectable 72 goals.
Onto Fulham
Indifferent form and injuries during his time at St James' ParkSt James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
meant that Gary couldn't create a lasting impact at Newcastle and after just 18 months in which he played 27 games scoring just 2 goals he was on the move again, this time to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
for a fee of £110,000. His time at Fulham was personally a happy one, although the club were generally struggling, Brazil in six seasons at Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
played 254 matches scoring 60 goals becoming a firm favourite with the Fulham fans and finding the sort of form that had made him such a favourite with the Preston fans only a few years earlier.
Non-League
Upon leaving Fulham in at the end of 1995–96 he had spells at Cambridge UnitedCambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
and 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....
where the fans nicknamed him "The Nutter", before moving into non-league football with Slough Town
Slough Town F.C.
Slough Town F.C. is an English semi-professional football club. The club was officially founded in 1890 after the amalgamation of three local clubs, Swifts, Slough Albion and Young Men's Friendly Society, who between them forged a new club, Slough F.C....
.
Management and coaching career
Brazil retired after the conclusion of the 1997–98 season and joined Notts CountyNotts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, first as a coach and then as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
. Following his boss’ departure to Bolton
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in October 1999, Brazil was prompted to take charge of a Magpies’ team that was enjoying a promising start to the season. The team faltered during the first half of 2000 and Brazil was demoted back down to assistant manager in May 2000, making way for Jocky Scott
Jocky Scott
John Alexander Scott is a Scottish football coach and former player probably best known for his playing career, and three managerial spells with Dundee. Scott is currently the manager of Scottish Football League club Stirling Albion.- Club career :Scott played for Scotland, Dundee and Aberdeen...
. He did receive a second chance at the helm between October and November 2001 after Scott was sacked following repeated clashes with the board, but this short reign was ended abruptly when Brazil was fired after failing to win a game over a five week period.
He went on to 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...
as youth team coach. During the 2006–07 season Brazil returned to Fulham and is currently coaching the Academy U-18s.