Chris Brass

Early career

Born in Easington, County Durham, Brass began his career as a schoolboy at Ipswich Town before progressing through the youth system at Burnley as a trainee, where he turned professional on 8 July 1993.

Burnley

In 1994, Brass captained the Burnley A team as it won the Lancashire League. In need of first team experience, he joined Torquay United on loan in October 1994, playing seven league games in a two-month loan spell. Brass returned to Burnley, making his debut for them as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat away to Portsmouth, in January 1995. The following season, he again struggled to claim a regular place, but in the 1996–97 season established himself in the centre of the Burnley defence, and remained there for the next three seasons, though occasionally played out of position by manager Chris Waddle. By March 1998, such was the turmoil that the Clarets found themselves in, Brass was their longest serving player, and still only 22 years old. In that summer, Stan Ternent replaced Waddle, and made Brass captain, but the latter struggled to keep his form and found himself in the reserves. In the summer of 1999, Burnley signed Mitchell Thomas, resulting in Brass playing only occasionally for the first team. He went on a one-month loan to Halifax Town in September 2000, with the first of his six league games being a win against Torquay. After the loan was up, Halifax could not afford to sign him and he returned to the Burnley reserves, before…

Brass was appointed as Bury's Centre of Excellence manager on 6 July 2007, before combining this role with playing for Hyde United after signing in July 2007 following a successful trial. He became Bury's caretaker manager on 15 January 2008, following the sacking of Chris Casper, and remained in post until the appointment of Alan Knill on 4 February 2008. Brass left Hyde having made 62 appearances after being appointed assistant manager to Knill on 22 January 2009. When Knill was appointed Scunthorpe United manager on 31 March 2011, Brass followed him as assistant manager. After Knill was dismissed by Scunthorpe United he followed Knill to Torquay United where Knill was appointed as manager on an interim basis until the end of the season. Knill and Brass ensured Torquay United's Football League safety. He was appointed on a permanent basis, along with Knill, following the end of the season. On 18 December 2013, Bury appointed Brass as assistant manager, to work alongside manager David Flitcroft. In June 2015 Brass was appointed Head of Football Operations. On 16 November 2016, Brass and Ryan Kidd took over as caretaker managers, following the sacking of David Flitcroft. On 15 December 2016, Brass was named the head coach of Bury until the end of 2016–17 season, but on 15 February 2017, Brass was replaced by Lee Clark. In October 2018, he moved to Wigan Athletic to take up the role of Head of Football Operations