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Reece Brown (footballer, born 1996)

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Reece Brown
Brown pictured in August 2016
Personal information
Full name Reece Brown[1]
Date of birth (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth Dudley, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Birmingham City
Number 18
Youth career
– Sedgley White Lions
2006–2013 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013– Birmingham City 15 (0)
2014 → Notts County (loan) 3 (0)
International career‡
2011–2012 England U16 5 (0)
2012 England U17 5 (1)
2014 England U18 3 (0)
2015 England U20 6 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:29, 27 November 2016 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:29, 27 November 2016 (UTC)

Reece Brown (born 3 March 1996) is an English footballer who plays for Birmingham City. A midfielder, he made his senior debut for Birmingham in the Football League in September 2013, and spent a month on loan at League One club Notts County in September 2014. He has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-20 level.

Club career

Early life and club career

Brown was born in Dudley, West Midlands,[3] where he attended Jesson's Primary School[4] and then Dormston School in the Sedgley area.[5][6] As a boy, he played football for Sedgley White Lions, and he joined Birmingham City at the age of ten.[5] After leaving school, he took up a scholarship with the club in July 2012.[7] His goal against West Bromwich Albion's youth team helped Birmingham reach the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup;[8] they lost to Norwich City's youngsters in that round.[9] His fellow first-year scholar Liam Truslove was given a professional contract at the end of the 2012–13 season, but Brown was not. Academy manager Kristjaan Speakman suggested there were parts of his game that needed improvement: "Over the last few years, he has always been regarded as a ball-playing midfielder, very comfortable in possession and able to retain it. What the manager wants from his midfield players is the ability to affect the game out of possession as well."[10] In a July 2013 interview, Brown concurred: he rated his best quality as "what I can do on the ball", and felt he needed to improve his mental strength.[5]

First-team football

After impressing in training ahead of the new season,[10] Brown produced two goals and set up another for Reece Hales in a development squad pre-season friendly against Solihull Moors.[11] This earned him inclusion in the first-team training group, and he was given a squad number and played the last few minutes of the senior friendly against Hull City.[12] He was named among the substitutes for Birmingham's Championship defeat at Queens Park Rangers in September, ahead of the likes of Scott Allan and Matt Green, and according to manager Lee Clark, "he was very close to getting on the pitch".[13] He did get on the pitch in the next match, away at Burnley on 17 September, replacing Darren Ambrose in the 51st minute, just after Birmingham went 2–0 down; the match ended 3–0.[14] In a poor team performance, Clark suggested that Brown was "the only player who has probably enhanced his reputation from the night. He came on and showed his ability, showed no nerves and was competitive".[15]

On his first league start, on 18 January 2014, Brown was man of the match, albeit in a losing cause at home to Yeovil Town,[16] and he impressed a week later in the FA Cup defeat to Premier League club Swansea City.[17] Between those two matches, he signed his first professional contract with Birmingham, a two-and-a-half-year deal to run until 2016.[3]

Notts County loan

After playing in just one of Birmingham's first six games of the 2014–15 season, Brown joined League One club Notts County on a youth loan, initially for a month.[18] He went straight into the starting eleven and played the first 64 minutes of the weekend's match against Bristol City, which Notts lost to a stoppage-time penalty.[19] Two days later, in the Football League Trophy against League Two opponents Mansfield Town, he was used as a playmaker. According to the Nottingham Post, he "revelled in his role as number ten and played with real maturity. Was a real threat whenever he received the ball and came close to scoring with a header", and was named man of the match by both newspaper[20] and club.[21] He made four starts in all before his loan was cut short because of injury.[22]

Return to Birmingham

Brown with Birmingham City in August 2016

Gary Rowett, who replaced Clark as manager soon after Brown's return to Birmingham, included the player among the substitutes for his first match in charge, though he remained unused. In February 2015, while praising Brown's technical skill and ability with the ball, Rowett felt he needed to improve off the ball, especially because of the physical nature of Championship football, and to prove himself in training.[23] He selected him once more that season, in the absence of midfielders Stephen Gleeson and Diego Fabbrini and in recognition of his improvement in training, again on the bench for a 4–2 defeat at AFC Bournemouth in April.[24][25] By November, Brown had played just six minutes of first-team football, in the League Cup second round, and Rowett had spoken publicly of his lack of professionalism in matters such as punctuality.[26] His application improved, and on 21 November, he made his first appearance in the Championship for more than a year, as a 72nd-minute substitute with Birmingham 1–0 down at home to Charlton Athletic.[27][28]

Having had no more first-team involvement, Brown joined Premier League club West Ham United on trial in January 2016, and made a promising appearance in a development squad match against Brighton & Hove Albion.[29][30] He also spent time with AFC Bournemouth and was reported to have attracted interest from Manchester City.[31] In March, Birmingham City suspended Brown pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his "conduct and levels of professionalism."[32] He returned to the development squad and, according to Rowett, he was working harder. At the end of April, the club offered him another year on his contract, which was due to expire;[33] he signed the extension in June.[34]

Brown was not included in the first-team training camp in Spain, reportedly because Rowett "wanted him to work for his opportunities",[35] but his pre-season performances earned him a place on the bench for the opening fixture of the new Championship season, at home to Cardiff City. He replaced David Cotterill after 71 minutes, and came close to creating a winning goal when he cut the ball back for debutant Jack Storer who narrowly failed to touch it past the goalkeeper; the match finished goalless.[36]

International career

Brown made his first appearance for England's under-16 team on 25 November 2011, as a second-half substitute as England beat Scotland under-16s in the Victory Shield.[37][38] He played in three matches in the 2012 Montaigu Tournament, as England lost on penalties to Russia in the semi-final,[39][40] but then beat France in the third-place playoff match.[41] He scored on his under-17 debut, against Turkey on 31 August 2012, a 4–1 victory that he chose in 2013 as his most memorable match;[5] according to the Football Association's website, "he broke through the heart of midfield with his electric pace, unleashing a thunderous shot into the bottom left hand corner leaving Akdag with no chance. It was a magnificent goal by the young speedster who produced a fantastic display all evening."[42] He played on the winning side in all three matches of England's qualifying group for the 2013 European Championships.[43]

He was called up for an England under-18s training camp in November 2013,[44] and made his debut at that level on 3 March 2014, as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 defeat to their Croatian counterparts in the first match of a double-header.[45]

Together with Birmingham teammate Demarai Gray, Brown was called up for the England under-20s' first matches of the 2015–16 season, a double-header against the Czech Republic.[46] In the first game, both Gray and Brown scored as England won 5–0;[47] in the second, Brown made a brief substitute appearance in a 1–0 defeat.[48] Both retained their place in the squad for the Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup, a quadrangular tournament played in Germany in October. Although injury forced Gray's withdrawal,[49] Brown started England's first game of the tournament and scored in the eighth minute, the first goal of a 3–1 win against the Netherlands.[50]

Career statistics

As of match played 26 November 2016
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2013–14[51] Championship 6 0 2 0 0 0 — 8 0
2014–15[52] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2015–16[53] Championship 1 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 0
2016–17[54] Championship 6 0 0 0 0 0 — 6 0
Total 15 0 2 0 1 0 — 18 0
Notts County 2014–15[52] League One 3 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 4 0
Career total 18 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 22 0
  1. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy

References

  1. ^ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 4. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Player profile: Reece Brown". Birmingham City F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b Walker, Andy (24 January 2014). "Reece Brown pens pro deal". Birmingham City F.C. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  4. ^ Griffiths, L. (5 December 2011). "A real sporting superstar – and a Jesson's boy". Headteacher's blog. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d "Blue kid on the block – Reece Brown". Birmingham City F.C. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  6. ^ Dormston News (PDF). Dormston School. Winter 2011. p. 3.
  7. ^ "List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2012 and 31/07/2012". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Blues convincingly progressed in the FA Youth Cup with an impressive victory over their near-neighbours at Damson Park". Birmingham City FC Academy. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  9. ^ Shergold, Adam (27 February 2013). "Derby stun 10-man City to reach sixth round of FA Youth Cup as Norwich also book their place". Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  10. ^ a b Tattum, Colin (1 August 2013). "Rising Birmingham City star Reece told not to let up by Academy boss". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  11. ^ Arrowsmith, Jamie (31 July 2013). "Moors bag a hat-trick of victories". Solihull Observer. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  12. ^ Tattum, Colin (29 July 2013). "Reece Brown makes his debut as Clark keeps faith in Birmingham City's youth policy". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  13. ^ Tattum, Colin (17 September 2013). "Lee Clark: Reece Brown is an extremely talented young man". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  14. ^ "Burnley 3–0 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  15. ^ Tattum, Colin (19 September 2013). "Lee Clark: Reece Brown is a super little footballer and a great technician". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  16. ^ Tattum, Colin (20 January 2014). "Birmingham City 0 Yeovil Town 2". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  17. ^ Hart, Simon (27 January 2014). "Birmingham City 1 Swansea City 2 match report: Wilfired Bony's double gives Michael Laudrup a lift". The Independent. London. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Official: Reece Brown joins Notts County". Birmingham City F.C. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  19. ^ "Notts County 1–2 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  20. ^ "Notts County 2 Mansfield Town 0: Johnstone's Paint Trophy match report". Nottingham Post. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  21. ^ "Notts County 2–0 Mansfield Town". Notts County F.C. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  22. ^ "Notts County: Winger Reece Brown returns to Birmingham City". Nottingham Post. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  23. ^ Dick, Brian (20 February 2015). "Gary Rowett: Bright prospect Reece Brown getting closer to Birmingham City first team – but he's still a little way off". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  24. ^ Dick, Brian (8 April 2015). "Birmingham City hopeful of Diego Fabbrini return for Wolves visit". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  25. ^ "R. Brown". Soccerway. Perform Group. 5 January 2016.
  26. ^ Dick, Brian (6 October 2015). "Birmingham City: Read Gary Rowett's advice to Blues youngster Reece Brown". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  27. ^ Dick, Brian (14 November 2015). "Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett hopeful Reece Brown is starting to fulfil his potential". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  28. ^ "Birmingham City v Charlton Athletic". sportinglife.com. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  29. ^ "Reece Brown on trial with West Ham". Birmingham City F.C. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  30. ^ "Highlights – Dev Squad 2–0 Brighton & HA". West Ham United F.C. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  31. ^ Chapman, Joseph (18 January 2016). "Birmingham City transfer rumour mill: Gary Rowett linked with a return to Burton for attacker; youngster set for Man City trial?". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  32. ^ Dick, Brian (18 March 2016). "Gary Rowett: Why Birmingham City decided to suspend Reece Brown". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  33. ^ Dick, Brian (29 April 2016). "Talented Birmingham City starlet offered a new contract". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  34. ^ Dick, Brian (20 June 2016). "Reece Brown agrees Birmingham City extension". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  35. ^ Dick, Brian (5 August 2016). "Analysis: These are the Birmingham City youngsters who could be next in line". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  36. ^ "Birmingham 0-0 Cardiff: Goalless at St Andrew's". Sky Sports. PA Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
    Suart, Paul (6 August 2016). "This is what Gary Rowett thought about Jack Storer's Birmingham City performance". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  37. ^ "Reece Brown (1996)". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  38. ^ Marshall, James (25 November 2011). "Victory Shield clinched in style". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  39. ^ "Late show for young Lions". The Football Association. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  40. ^ "Shootout heartbreak for young Lions". The Football Association. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  41. ^ "Lions finish third in Montaigu". The Football Association. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  42. ^ Marshall, James (31 August 2012). "Second-half show for Lions". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  43. ^ "Under-17 – Reece Brown". UEFA. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  44. ^ "Training days". The Football Association. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  45. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (3 March 2014). "England Under-18s rattled by Croatia comeback". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  46. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (27 August 2015). "England U20s squad selected ahead of Czech test". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  47. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (5 September 2015). "England U20s kick-off with 5–0 win at St. George's Park". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  48. ^ Owens, James (7 September 2015). "England U20s fall to narrow defeat in Shrewsbury". The Football Association. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  49. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (30 September 2015). "England U20s squad named for Mercedes Cup in Germany". The Football Association. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  50. ^ "England U20s make winning start over Holland in Germany". The Football Association. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  51. ^ "Games played by Reece Brown in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  52. ^ a b "Games played by Reece Brown in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  53. ^ "Games played by Reece Brown in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  54. ^ "Games played by Reece Brown in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
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