Bobby Browne

Young, Irish and talented seemed to be enough to get a move to Leeds in the 1930s - but it didn’t necessarily guarantee a starting place…

Name: Robert James Browne
Born: 9 February 1912, Londonderry
Died: 1994
Height: 5.08 ft
Weight: 10.10 st
Position: Wing-Half

Representative Honours: Ireland: 6 Full Caps (1935-1938); Irish League: 1 Cap (1935).
Club Honours: (with Derry City) City Cup Winner 1934/35; North-West Senior Cup.

Club Career:

Teams	Seasons	Signed	Fee	League	FA Cup	Other
Maleven	-	-	-	-	-	-
Clooney Rovers	-	-	-	-	-	-
Derry City	-	-	-	-	-	-
Leeds United	35/36-46/47	Oct-35	£1,500	110/0	4/0	7/0
Watford	44/45	-	Guest	-	-	22/0
Colchester United	45/46	Sep-45	Guest	-	-	2/0
York City	47/48	Aug-47	-	5/0	-	-
Thorne Colliery		-49	-	(Yorkshire League)
TOTALS	-	£1,500		115/0	4/0	31/0

Biography:
Leeds United manager of the 1930s, Billy Hampson seemed to have predilection for young Irish talent, and one of the first he brought to Elland Road was Derry-man Bobby Browne. Browne had been groomed for greatness by Derry City manager, Billy Gillespie and it was while representing the Irish League against the Football League that he gained the attention of English scouts. It took a £1,500 fee to prise the talented wing-half from Foyleside in October 1935, and he went on to make well over a hundred appearances in the Leeds first-team.

Browne, who had grown up more familiar with the Gaelic code, had been a member of the Derry City side that claimed their first major honour - the 1934/35 City Cup. He was never assured of his place at Leeds, but was capped six times during his stay at Elland Road, the first just weeks after arriving in Yorkshire. During the Second World War Browne continued to make appearances for Leeds when available, and also guested for Watford and Colchester while stationed as a PT instructor at Colchester Garrison.

When the Football League resumed in 1946 Browne was 34 years-old, and he played one more season with Leeds before finishing his career with York City. Later Bobby Browne joined the coaching staff at Halifax Town, and was briefly caretaker manager in October and November 1954.

Oz White - Leeds United
Colchester United Database

Ireland Cap Details:
19-10-1935 England. H L 1-3 BC
11-03-1936 Wales... H W 3-2 BC
23-10-1937 England. H L 1-5 BC
16-03-1938 Wales... H W 1-0 BC
08-10-1938 Scotland H L 0-2 BC
16-11-1938 England. A L 0-7 BC

Summary: 6/0. Won 2, Drew 0, Lost 4.

With thanks to Graeson Laitt for the Colchester United data.