David Brown

Born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, Brown began his career with Oldham Athletic, but signed for Manchester United as an apprentice in July 1995. However, the method by which United signed Brown was deemed to have been against Football Association regulations, and the club was fined £20,000. He turned professional in August 1997, but failed to break into the first team at Old Trafford. In March 1998 he joined Hull City on loan until the end of the season, making his league debut on 28 March 1998 in a 0–0 draw against Macclesfield Town at Boothferry Park. In the remainder of the season he played well enough to earn himself a permanent move, completed in June 1998. He immediately became a regular in the Hull side the following season and even scored against hometown club Bolton Wanderers in a league cup tie, but his failure to score regularly and the signing of new players by Brian Little pushed him out of the frame for a regular starting place. In the July 2001, Brown was made available on a free transfer by Hull City after playing 123 league games, in which he scored 21 times. On 4 September 2001 Brown joined Torquay United on trial, at the same time as Gary Brabin. Neither were taken on at the time by Torquay manager Roy McFarland, although Brabin joined soon after from Boston United. After playing in Australia, Brown began a second trial with Torquay in early November 2001, McFarland noting that his lack of fitness was the main problem before and giving him a second chance.…

Conference National: 2006