Chris Brown

Sunderland

Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Brown was a prolific goalscorer at school and youth level. Brown rose through the youth ranks at the team he supported as a boy, Sunderland, making his debut for the under-19 team at the age of just 15. However, Brown suffered a setback in 2002 when he damaged his cruciate ligament whilst playing for the reserve side, forcing him to miss the entire 2002–03 season. During this season Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League. After making a successful recovery, Brown was promoted to the Sunderland first team, and was allocated the number 31 shirt for the club's first season back in the First Division. During the season, Brown was loaned to Doncaster Rovers, where he made 22 appearances during his seven-month stay, scoring 10 goals. Brown ended the season with a Third Division medal. Brown was handed the number 20 squad number at Sunderland for the 2004–05 season, with many tipping Brown to break through into the first team that season as the club bounced back from a play-off defeat to Crystal Palace the year below. Brown was named as an unused substitute for the trip to Plymouth on 21 August and officially Brown made his debut for Sunderland on 21 September, scoring twice in the 3–3 draw with Crewe Alexandra in the League Cup. Although Sunderland lost the game on penalties, Brown impressed enough to retain his place for the trip to Leeds United four days later, with the game resulting in a 1–0 victory for…

Brown is a boyhood Sunderland fan who grew up in Peterlee and attended The Academy at Shotton Hall. He is the son of former Sunderland, Newcastle United, Shrewsbury Town and Doncaster striker Alan Brown. Since February 2019, Brown has co-hosted the podcast Undr the Cosh with his former Preston North End teammate Jon Parkin and comedy writer Chris J. Brown. The show has received over one million downloads and has raised money for various charities, including £1,200 raised for Prostate Cancer UK following a 145-mile bike ride in June 2019.

Doncaster Rovers

Football League Third Division: 2003–04 Football League One: 2012–13 Sunderland

Football League Championship: 2004–05, 2006–07 Individual

Doncaster Rovers Player of the Year: 2013–14