Derek Brazil

Manchester United

A defender, Brazil began his career with Rivermount Boys Club and had represented Ireland at various youth levels. After being rejected by West Ham United, Brazil had received an offer to join fellow London based club Chelsea and was set to join them after representing Ireland in a youth international against England at Elland Road. After the match, he was informed that Manchester United scout Eric Harrison had attended the game. He also received an offer from United's local rivals Manchester City and spent three days at each club before being persuaded to join United, the team his father supported, after meeting several members of the first team, including Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside, despite being offered double his wages by City. He played in a friendly match between the Ireland under-18 side and the Manchester United first-team and was tasked with marking Frank Stapleton. Despite Stapleton scoring a hat-trick in the match, Brazil was offered a three-and-a-half-year contract by manager Ron Atkinson. Brazil later stated: "He (Atkinson) told me I'd played really well because Frank could have scored ten but I'd made so many tackles." He signed a contract with Manchester United in March 1986 at the age of 17. During his time at Old Trafford, Atkinson was replaced as manager by Alex Ferguson and he later handed Brazil his debut as a substitute during a 2–1 defeat to Everton on 10 May 1989. His only other appearance for United was a second…

Brazil later worked as a development officer for Cardiff City. Having passed his coaching badges earlier in his career at the age of 27, in October 2006, Brazil was appointed team manager of Haverfordwest, replacing Deryn Brace. He was dismissed in November 2010 following disappointing results at the start of the 2010 season. However, in a strange turn of events, his successor as manager, Gavin Chesterfield, resigned due to complicated work commitments. The Haverfordwest board were thus left with no alternative than to reinstate Brazil in late February 2011. Brazil expressed his amazement at his reinsation. Regarding the whole debacle, he added in a Western Telegraph article: "in hindsight, it was probably the right one for both parties. It has given me valuable time to spend with my family and I have certainly been able to recharge my batteries. I now feel determined and with unfinished business to complete I have much more to give as a manager." His second spell as manager of the club ended in May 2011 after the relegation of the club from the Welsh Premiership. In September 2011, he took over as manager of Welsh Football League side Goytre United, following the sacking of Robert Cooke, winning his first match in charge against Cwmaman Institute. He left the club after one year in charge. He also runs his own business teaching physical education and coaching football around the Cardiff area. In July 2008, Brazil wore the United jersey again, when he took part in the…

Raised in Finglas, the Brazil family were keen sportsmen. His father was a champion boxer and footballer. His younger brother Stephen won numerous titles with Home Farm and played League of Ireland for Bohs. However a knee injury ended his career prematurely. His brother Geoffrey, also played ball for Dunsink YC, but an achilles tendon injury put him out of the game.

Cardiff City

Football League Third Division: 1992–93 Welsh Cup: 1993