Gary Brazil

Sheffield United

Having joined Crystal Palace straight from school in 1979, Brazil stayed with Palace for just twelve months before taking the opportunity of first-team football with Sheffield United, signing on a free transfer in August 1980. In nearly five years at Bramall Lane he played 78 games, of which 30 were as a substitute, scoring 10 goals. The "Blades" suffered relegation out of the Third Division in 1980–81 under Harry Haslam. After Ian Porterfield took charge, they then made an immediate return as champions of the Fourth Division in 1981–82. A mid-table finish in 1982–83 followed, before a second promotion in three years was achieved with a third-place finish in 1983–84. However, they had only finished ahead of Hull City on goals scored. In August 1984 he joined Port Vale on loan, and scored three goals in six Fourth Division appearances for John Rudge's "Valiants".

Preston North End

Brazil was sold to Preston North End for £25,000 in August 1985 but could not prevent Tommy Booth's "Lilywhites" from being relegated out of the Third Division. The next season again was a disappointment. However, Brazil was now a regular and scoring frequently. Preston finished the season in 91st place in the Football League and were forced to seek re-election, forcing the powers that be at Deepdale to make vast changes. Brazil was voted Player of the Year in 1987, as the club won promotion in second place, with Brazil and John Thomas scoring 48 goals between…

Notts County

After retiring as a player, Brazil joined Notts County as a coach and then as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce. Following Allardyce's departure to Bolton Wanderers in October 1999, Brazil was prompted to take charge of a "Magpies" team that was enjoying a promising start to the season. The team faltered during the first half of 2000 and finished the 1999–2000 season in eighth place, two places but 17 points outside the play-offs. Brazil was demoted back down to assistant manager in May 2000, making way for Jocky Scott. He did receive a second chance at the helm between October and November 2001 after Scott was sacked following repeated clashes with the board, but this short reign was ended abruptly when Brazil was fired after failing to win a game over five weeks. He went on to serve Doncaster Rovers as youth team coach.

Nottingham Forest

In May 2012, he was appointed as a youth team coach at Nottingham Forest, replacing the departed Eoin Jess; he was to work alongside Steve Chettle. Brazil progressed through the ranks to become Academy Manager at the club in 2014. He became caretaker manager of the first-team after the sacking of Billy Davies in March 2014. During his temporary reign, he handed debuts to Ben Osborn, Dimitar Evtimov and Stephen McLaughlin, as well as a league debut to Dorus de Vries, before returning to his role as Academy manager whilst Stuart Pearce took over as first-team manager. He was handed a second spell as caretaker…

Playing statistics

Managerial statistics

As of 8 January 2018

He is the father of former England youth player Ellie Brazil, as well as Jack Brazil, former coach of New Mongol Bayangol.