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	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]
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
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Stoke City	1946–47	First Division	4	0	0	0	4	0
	1947–48		7	0	0	0	7	0
	1948–49		2	0	0	0	2	0
	1949–50		0	0	1	0	1	0
	1950–51		26	4	3	0	29	4
	1951–52		15	2	0	0	15	2
	1952–53		16	8	0	0	16	8
	Total		70	14	4	0	74	14
Watford	1953–54	Third Division South	36	21	1	0	37	21
	1954–55		31	13	1	0	32	13
	1955–56		29	2	2	1	31	2
	1956–57		37	4	1	0	38	4
	1957–58		9	0	0	0	9	0
	Total		142	40	5	1	147	41
Career Total			212	54	9	1	221	55

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)