144 Tony Brown

Tony is the guy with the 'tache fifth from the left in the back row

Position : Centre half

Played : 1989-90 to 1992-93

Appearances : 114

Goals : 0

Tony was the other player I wanted us to sign , an experienced centre half released by Scunthorpe United. Tony was a latecomer to professional football being signed by Leeds at 24 from Thackley in 1982 after they had to sell off their big earners following relegation. He made 24 first team appearances but by 1985 was surplus to requirements and went on loan to Doncaster. They were impressed enough to sign him permanently and he made 87 appearances for them in total. He moved on to Scunthorpe in 1987 making 54 appearances in two seasons there.

As the oldest head at the back Tony was quickly made captain. He was a reliable defender who could tackle cleanly and play the ball out of trouble without taking unnecessary risks. He was the only one of Dolan's five man defence to survive Dave Sutton's clear out and played alongside Alan Reeves and Alex Jones the following season keeping his place ahead of the latter when Sutton changed the formation. Unfortunately Tony will be remembered for a bad mistake away at Mansfield in a crucial game for our play-off hopes, when he headed the ball back into the danger area and Mansfield scored. At 33 he probably should have been released at the end of that season but he got another year. Injuries however restricted him to just five more games. He moved on to Bradford Park Avenue but has been spotted in the WMG Stand from time to time.