Wes Brown

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Wes Brown
Personal information
Full name Wesley Michael Brown
Date of birth October 13, 1979
Place of birth Manchester, England
Height 6 ft 1 in / 1.85 m
Nickname Longsight Libero
Position Centre Back
Club information
Current club Manchester United
Number 6
Youth clubs
1996-1998 Manchester United
Professional clubs*
Years Club Apps (goals)
1998-Present Manchester United 145 (1)
National team**
1999- England 10 (0)

* Professional club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 2006.
** National team caps and goals correct
as of 15 September, 2006.

Wesley Michael Brown (born October 13, 1979 in Manchester) is an English football player. A talented central defender, the born-and-bred Mancunian from the Longsight area plays for Manchester United.

Contents

[edit] Biography

The 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), 75 kg Wes Brown began his serious football career as a schoolboy playing for the local Manchester and Greater Manchester youth sides, and was a former student of the FA School of Excellence as well as spending time at Manchester Uniteds football Academy. Wes showed talent and maturity at an early age, signing full professional terms with boyhood club Manchester United on November 4, 1996 at the young age of 17.

Brown went on to success with the reserve and youth sides, winning the FA Youth Cup and a Lancashire Division One medal with the reserves. He also added a Denzil Haroun Young Player of the Year award to his take.

On May 4, 1998, Brown made his full first team Premiership debut against Leeds United, coming on as a substitute. His breakthrough would occur the next year, the 1998-99 season, where he made several first-team appearances at right-back as well as his more natural position of centre-back. He forged a promising defensive partnership with Jaap Stam at the heart of United's defence. The season could not have gone any better for Brown, as United captured the legendary Treble. Tipped to be United's next big defender, Brown suffered the first of what would be a string of disheartening injures while training for the 1999-00 campaign. His strong comeback the following year prompted praise from all corners, with club manager Sir Alex Ferguson making waves by proclaiming Wes to be Manchester United's most talented defender.

A fine 2000-01 campaign was followed by another solid year in 2001-02, as Wes was given a place on the England 2002 FIFA World Cup squad. His reputation grew even greater during the 2002-03 season, but again, his performances were marred by injury. Brown tore a knee ligament on the final day of the season, and did not return until midway through the 2003-04 season. Brown finished the season in good form, notably giving an imperious, man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup semi-final win over Arsenal. It was after this fine display that Ferguson re-iterated his belief that Brown is "the best natural defender" in England. Respected pundit Alan Hansen concurred, calling Brown "a class act". Despite this, Brown was not able to parlay his form into a place in the England Euro 2004 squad.

Signed until 2008, Wes Brown should continue to be a factor for both England and Manchester United in the future. His injury ills have kept him from fulfilling his potential, but a quality run in the side should cement his reputation as a talented and reliable defensive force.

Wes Brown performed consistently well in the 2005/2006 season. This led to his recall to the England squad for the friendly game against Uruguay. Although he played no part in this fixture he hoped to make it into the final England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, unfortunately he was not selected.

He was once again recalled to the England squad by coach Steve McClaren, and starred in England's comprehensive 5-0 defeat of Andorra in the 2008 European Cup qualifiers on 2 September, partnering John Terry at the heart of the England defence, in place of injured Manchester United team mate Rio Ferdinand.

He also has his own personal chant, made by Manchester United fans. [1]

[edit] Personal

Wes has a 4 year old daughter called Halle with his current partner Leanne Waffell.

[edit] Honours

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ We've Got Wesley Brown, m-u-f-c.com
England England squad - 2002 FIFA World Cup Quarter-finalists England

1 Seaman | 2 Mills | 3 A. Cole | 4 Sinclair | 5 Ferdinand | 6 Campbell | 7 Beckham | 8 Scholes | 9 Fowler | 10 Owen | 11 Heskey | 12 Brown | 13 Martyn | 14 Bridge | 15 Keown | 16 Southgate | 17 Sheringham | 18 Hargreaves | 19 J. Cole | 20 Vassell | 21 Butt | 22 James | 23 Dyer | Coach: Eriksson
Manchester United F.C. - Current Squad

1 Van der Sar | 2 Neville | 3 Evra | 4 Heinze | 5 Ferdinand | 6 Brown | 7 Ronaldo | 8 Rooney | 9 Saha | 11 Giggs | 13 Park | 14 Smith | 15 Vidić | 16 Carrick | 18 Scholes | 20 Solskjær | 22 O'Shea | 23 Richardson | 24 Fletcher | 27 Silvestre | 29 Kuszczak | 34 Shawcross | 35 Lee | 36 Gray | 38 Heaton | 41 Marsh | 42 Barnes | 43 Rose | 49 R. Jones | Manager: Ferguson
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