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Brown to play until 40
- Updated: October 6, 2016
Michael Brown is combining playing duties with the role of assistant manager at Port Vale. Ahead of the club’s trip to MK Dons live on Sky Sports 1 HD this Sunday, Adam Bate caught up with Brown to discuss his coaching career and the plans to play on beyond 40…
It’s 18 years ago now that Michael Brown was named Manchester City player of the year. Kelechi Iheanacho wasn’t even born when the midfielder was sent off on his Premier League debut. But a successful career that’s since taken Brown to Sheffield United, Tottenham, Fulham, Wigan, Portsmouth and Leeds looks likely to extend into 2017.
The 39-year-old is currently player-assistant manager at League One side Port Vale. He’d previously had a player there under Rob Page but took on a coaching role when the manager departed for Northampton. Now he’s working with new boss Bruno Ribeiro, a former team-mate at Sheffield United a decade-and-a-half ago. There have been a few managers since then.
“I think I’m onto number 30 now or something ridiculous,” Brown tells Sky Sports. “I think it must be a record.” It’s also an indication of his longevity. What’s interesting is that Brown isn’t playing on merely to delay the next step in his career. He began his UEFA badges many years ago now. But there’s a target in mind that’s driving him on.
“I’ve always wanted to play at least past my 40th birthday,” he says. “That would be a nice achievement.” While he stresses it wouldn’t be “the end of the world” if he doesn’t make it, the date now looms large. Port Vale travel to Scunthorpe in late January and should Brown be involved that day then he’ll have reached his landmark.
If Brown appears relaxed about getting there, his circumstances suggest there’s rather more determination involved than he’s willing to let on. He suffered an injury in the summer that would have persuaded some younger men to call it a day. Instead, he’s battled back to fitness once more. “It was the nasty medial ligaments in my knee,” he explains.
“I’ve managed to get through 45 …
