Wesley Brown (born October 13 1979 in Manchester, England) is an English football player. A talented central defender, the born-and-bred Manchester man now plays for Manchester United, a perennial contender in the English Premier League.
The 6'1”, 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. Wes showed talent and maturity at an early age, signing full professional terms with boyhood club Manchester United 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 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 center-back. 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 1999/2000 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 2000/2001 campaign was followed by another solid year in 2001/2002, as Wes was given a place on the England World Cup squad. His reputation grew even greater during the 2002/2003 season, but again, was marred by injury. Brown tore a knee ligament on the final day of the season, and did not return until midway through the 2003/2004 season. Though he closed the season well, he was not able to parlay his form into a squad place on the English Euro 2004 team.
Signed until 2005, 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 enormous potential, but a quality run in the side should cement his reputation as a talented and reliable defensive force.
External Links
References
Wes Brown Soccernet.com. Wes Brown. Retrieved August 14th, 2004.
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
