Legendary Scottish football figure Craig Brown has died at the age of 82.
The sad news was confirmed on Monday after the former Aberdeen boss suffered an illness. Brown also served at Pittodrie with distinction as a non executive director at Pittodrie during a career that spanned an incredible 36 years.
He started out his work as a manager at Clyde before moving into the Scotland national team coaching set-up with the Under-21 side. Brown then succeeded Andy Roxburgh as boss of the full team and led them to the European Championships in England in 1996 and the World Cup two years later, the last time Scotland graced the global stage. After 15 years with the Scottish Football Association, during which he was Scotland's longest serving manager, Brown returned to club football with Preston North End before moving back to Scotland with Motherwell and then, finally, Aberdeen. A statement from Brown's devastated family reads: “Craig died peacefully today after a short illness in University Hospital, Ayr, surrounded by close family members.
The family wish to express their deep appreciation of the outstanding care and attention provided by hospital staff and the countless messages of support and sympathy from friends and colleagues. At this particularly sad time the family now requests their privacy is respected during the grieving process.”
Aberdeen FC added: "Everybody at Aberdeen FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former manager, director, and club ambassador Craig Brown. A dear friend to all at Pittodrie, he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who was fortunate enough to work alongside Craig and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this difficult time."
Brown, born in Hamilton on July 1, 1940, started out his playing career at Rangers but failed to make the grade at first time level after loan spells at Coltness United and Dundee. He joined the latter on a permanent basis in 1961 when Bob Shankly signed him and was part of the Scottish league title winning team in his first season, his nine appearances enough to earn him a medal.
After four years at Dens Park he signed for Falkirk and made 42 appearances for the Bairns before he was released and signed for Stranraer but a persistent knee injury meant he couldn't turn out for them and had to call time on his playing career at just 27.
However, it was his long and successful career as a manager for which he was best known. Scottish football has today lost another legend.
