Troy Brown (footballer)

Ipswich Town

Born in Croydon, Brown came through the academy at Fulham, having joined the club at the age of seven. Released during the summer of 2009, he spent time on trial with Charlton Athletic. and Ipswich Town, having to impress two managers (first Jim Magilton and then Roy Keane). He was offered a one-year contract. In April 2010, he was offered a contract extension.

On 2 May 2010, Brown made his league debut for Ipswich, coming off the bench to replace Jack Colback during a 3–0 defeat to Sheffield United in the final game of the 2009–10 season.

In April 2011, he was awarded a twelve-month contract extension by the club. He rejected the offer in May 2011.

Rotherham United and Aldershot Town

Brown joined Rotherham United in July 2011 as a free agent, signing a two-year contract with the club. Brown made his Rotherham United debut in the opening game of the season, as they beat Oxford United 1–0 at Don Valley Stadium. Brown then scored his first Rotherham United goal, in a 2–2 draw against Barnet on 20 August 2011.

However, Brown's first team run at Rotherham United was soon limited, due to national commitment and only four starts. To earn first team football, Brown joined Aldershot Town on loan until the end of the season. Brown made his Aldershot Town debut the next day, in a 3–0 loss against Oxford United. Brown then scored his first Aldershot Town goal, in a 4–1 win over Barnet on 25 February 2012. Brown then scored his second goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge on 13 April 2012. His first team of runs at the club soon led Aldershot Town confirmed their interests signing him. Upon returning to Rotherham United, Brown was released by the club, having got one year left to his contract. having made six appearances and scoring 1 goal. and then joined Aldershot Town on a permanent basis by newly appointed Aldershot manager Dean Holdsworth on the same day he was released.

Brown's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening game of the season, which he scored in a 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle. Brown went to score two goals later in the season against Accrington Stanley on 12 January 2013 and another against Torquay United on 19 February 2013. However, an ankle injury during the game put Brown out of action for ten matches (although he was on the bench against Wycombe Wanderers) and made his return, in a 2–0 loss against Southend United on 16 April 2013. Despite the injury crisis, Brown scored three goals in his 32 appearances at the club.

After one season with Aldershot Town, resulting the club's relegation, Lancashire was among thirteen players made redundant, in a wake of the club's administration. Brown was linked with a move to Yeovil Town, Gillingham and Port Vale.

Cheltenham Town

It was announced on Wednesday 19 June 2013 that Brown would be signing for Cheltenham Town on a 2-year contract. Brown previously turned down offers from Torquay United and Bristol Rovers to join the club. Upon joining the club, Brown was given number 5 shirt.

Brown made his Cheltenham Town debut, in the opening game, in a 2–2 draw against Burton Albion. However to the start of the season, Brown was sidelined for four games after he tore his hamstring during a match against Accrington Stanley and made his return, in a 1–0 win over Wimbledon on 28 September 2013. His return performance was praised by local newspaper Gloucestershire Echo, describing his performance "coming straight back in and taking charge of a defence that were shipping goals for fun showed a real maturity and talent." Brown scored his first Cheltenham Town goal, in a 2–1 loss against Rochdale on 19 October 2013. Brown scored his second goal of the season, in a 1–0 win over Morecambe, which saw him earned him listed for the Football League Team of the Week. Two weeks later, on 21 December 2013, Brown scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Fleetwood Town. Then in the match against Accrington Stanley on 18 January 2014, Brown made a mistake when he allowed George Bowerman to score a free header, in a 2–1 loss. Brown then scored his fourth goal of the season, in a 4–3 loss against Wimbledon on 22 March 2014. Brown made forty-one appearance in all competitions and scoring four goals for the club in his first season there.

Then at the start of the 2014–15 season, Brown remained in the starting eleven throughout the season. Brown scored his first Cheltenham Town goal, in a 2–0 win over Tranmere Rovers on 28 February 2015. Following Matt Taylor's injury, Brown was appointed as captain for two games against Newport County and Portsmouth, which both games saw them earn two points and potential chance of survival in League Two. However, that did not happen, as Cheltenham Town were relegated from League Two.

After eighty-nine appearances for the Robins in all competitions, he was released on 4 May 2015 following their relegation from League Two.

Exeter City

Brown joined Exeter City on 3 July 2015. He made his debut in a 3–2 win against Yeovil Town.

International career

Brown made his debut for Wales at under-17 level on 20 April 2006 in a 2–2 draw with USA. After winning two more caps in friendly matches against Bulgaria, he was named in the squad for both the qualifying round and elite round of the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, winning his last cap at under-17 level in the final group game of the elite round in a 3–0 defeat to Belarus.

In 2007, Brown moved up to under-19 level for the first time and was later part of the squad that played in the 2008 Milk Cup. Three years later, Brown moved up to Wales U21 for the first time. For the U21 side, Brown made nine caps for Wales U21.

Career statistics