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Fullname: Hugh Allan Brown
aka: Hugh Brown
Born: 11 March 1896
Died: 4 August 1952
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 8 November 1916 (from St Anthony’s)
Left: 1921 (free); 7 July 1921 (to Dunfermline)
Position: Left-Half
Debut: Raith Rovers 1-4 Celtic, League, 2 Dec 1916
Internationals: N/A
International Caps:N/A
Biog
Defender Hugh Brown signed for the Hoops in November 1916 from Anthony’s and enjoyed a five year stay at Parkhead. He was said to be “Small but a terrier in work“.
His Celtic debut came on December 2nd 1916 when he was part of the Celtic side that defeat Raith Rovers 4-1 in a league tie in Kirkcaldy. Incredibly, scored a goal within two minutes of his debut but the goal ended up being credited to Jimmy McColl. He was certain starter soon after for the rest of the season, and for the next two seasons.
Having come into the side for Private John McMaster due to wartime, he quickly was said to have become popular with Celtic fans as a 100 per center.
He went on to make 22 appearances that season as the Bhoys went on to claim the league title for the fourth time in succession.
At the time, the league was the only major honour clubs could compete for as the Scottish Cup was suspended for the duration of the First World War.
Glasgow-born Hugh Brown went on to claim another championship winners medal in season 1918/19, a season that saw the title come to Celtic with a last gasp effort on May 10th against Ayr Utd.
He scored his only goal in the 1917/18 season in a 3-3 draw with Airdrie in January 1918, but some reports attribute two further goals by Hugh Brown in season 1918/19 in a 2-1 win over Airdrie and in a 4-0 win over St Mirren. So his goal in the 2-1 victory over Airdrie proved important and vital.
In season 1919/20 he started to lose his place and after chopping and changing, his last match was a 1-1 draw with Falkirk in the league in Nov 1919. He was moved aside to allow McMaster to return back to the first team. He had a loan spell at Clackmannan in 1920.
He eventually left the Hoops in 1921 for Dunfermline having made a total of 98 appearances and scoring two goals.
His goals came on 26 January 1918 in a 3-3 draw and then on 8 Feb 1919 in a 2-1 victory, both against Airdrie. Some reports also attribute him to scoring a goal v Airdrie in January 1918 too.
Some query still why Hugh Brown was so abruptly dispensed as he was on top form with Merthyr in 1921/22.
He passed away on 4 August 1952.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1916-21 | 98 | 0 | n/a | n/a | 98 |
| Goal: | 3 | 0 | – | – | 3 |
Honours with Celtic
Scottish League
Pictures
Notes
- One reference claims he played in Buffalo (USA) prior to Celtic, but we’re not certain this is correct. From our records, we believe he was in the UK for his entire football career. Would have been prior to start of WW1 when he was 18 when WW1 began.