John Brown (footballer, born 1887)

John Brown (15 October 1887 – 6 December 1943) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as an outside-left.

After a spell at Alloa Athletic where he played alongside elder brother William and both also worked in the local mines, Brown joined Falkirk in 1908.^[1] While his brother was killed in a mine shaft collapse in 1909, John escaped life in the pits, his career continued to progress and he signed for Celtic in 1911.^[2][3] His time in Glasgow started well, and after displacing veteran Davie Hamilton in the side, he was selected for the Scottish Football League XI for a game against The Football League XI,^[4] followed two months later by a Scottish Cup win,^[2] Clyde being defeated in the 1912 final.^[5]

He began to be overshadowed by John Browning at Celtic and was loaned to English side Chelsea in December 1912, the switch being made permanent two months later.^[2] However, after making 11 Football League appearances for the Blues (scoring three goals) in his first half-season in West London,^[6] Brown was a backup to Billy Bridgeman, then fellow Scot Bob McNeil, and played only five more matches at that level in the next two years – instead he was a regular in the reserves, with 51 games (seven goals) in two seasons.^[6]

With English football suspended due to the First World War, in 1915 Brown returned to Falkirk (also serving in the Black Watch during the conflict),^[1] and later appeared for hometown team Clackmannan and for various teams in Fife, latterly Lochgelly United where he also served as manager.^[7] He was also a coach at Dundee, working with former Celtic teammate Alec McNair.^[1] Away from football he operated a sweet shop in Glencraig and a fish-and-chip business in Broughty Ferry.^[1]