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Nat Brown

Name: Nathaniel McAuley Brown
Born: 21 October 1867, Limavady
Died: November 1939, Brooklyn, USA (age 72)
Height:
Weight:
Position: Outside-Left

Representative Honours: Ireland: 1 Full Cap (1887); Co. Londonderry: 3 appearances (1888, 1889, 1890).
Club Honours: (with Limavady) North West Cup Winner 1887, 1888*, 1890, 1891, 1893, Runner-up 1892.
* also North West Cricket Cup Winner

Club Career:
Teams
Seasons
Signed
Fee
League
FA Cup
Other
Limavady
1885/86-1892/93
-
Amateur
0/0
/13
-
Derry Olympic
1892/93
1892
Amateur
4/3
-
-
TOTALS
-
£0
4/3
/13
-

Biography:
Nat Brown was son of the Reverend Nathaniel McAuley Brown, D.D., LL.D. of Drumachose Presbyterian in Limavady and a moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. So as not to be confused with his father, he played under the alias of “McAuley” in 1885-6 and “Joe Brown” in 1888.


A forward, mainly left-wing or centre, Brown was part of the Limavady team which toured England in 1886, and famously defeated Everton 1-0, an appearance which meant they had played at Anfield before Liverpool did!

In 1887 Brown appeared on the left-wing as Ireland suffered a 7-0 defeat by England at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Although that proved his only international appearance, he did represent County Londonderry on three occasions between 1888 and 1890.

With Limavady Brown scored a record five goals in North West Cup Finals. In 1892/93 he played four games for with Derry Olympic, scoring three goals, in their brief Irish League sojourn [see note below]. Olympic proved unsuccessful and unpopular and folded after just six matches with the players returning full-time to their own teams.

In his senior footballing career, Brown scored an estimated 22 competitive goals, including thirteen in the Irish Cup. He also tasted success as a cricketer, being a member of Limavady Cricket Club's North West Senior Cup win in 1888.

Brown was admitted as a solicitor in 1890 and practiced in his home town. He later moved to the US where he was admitted to the Bar in 1911. For the last 14 years of his life he was clerk of the Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Limavady Museum Archive

Ireland Cap Details:

05-02-1887 England A L 0-7 BC

Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.


Death notice from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 20 November 1939 (kindly sourced by Uwe)
SON OF CLERGYMAN Born on Oct. 21, 1867. at Lima-vady, Ireland, he was the son of Nathaniel M. Brown Sr., a noted Presbyterian clergyman of the north of Ireland. He was graduated from coieraine Academical Institution with honors. After serving an apprenticeship in the office of Patrick Maxwell, celebrated lawyer, Mr. Brown entered Four Courts, Dublin, in 1887 and was admitted to practice law in Irish courts ln 1890. He was admitted to the Bar ln this State ln 1911. In sports circles Mr. Brown was widely known as a member of Ireland's football team which played against England, Scotland and Wales and as captain of the Irish team which met Scotland In an exhibition at Glasgow ln 1888. Later, in this country, he was identified with the Saranac Field Club, the Suburban Athletic Club and the Kings County Cricket Club. IN REGISTER'S OFFICE For a time before he became a court attendant, Mr. Brown served in the Kings County Register's office and with the Public Service Commission. At various times he lived at 204 Livingston St, at 728 E. 31st St. and in Hollis. He had been a' member of Nassau Lodge, 536, i". a. M, the woodmen of the World and other fraternal bodies, and of the 18th A. D. Republican Club. In 1894 Mr. Brown was married to Isabella Jean, a Canadian. She died ln June, 1921, and in January. 1922, he was married to Rebecca Lloyd Moore. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. James Hart of 77 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn; Mrs. Donald McDonald of Manhattan and Miss Dorothy Brown, and a son, Edward N. Brown. Funeral services and burial will be Thursday in Harriman. 

Note: Derry Olympic was an amalgamation of players from the various County Londonderry teams, formed for the purpose of competing in the Irish League Competition. Local clubs and the players themselves were not enthuastic at this arrangement as their own Club was being deprived of their services. When the Derry Olympic team was entered for the Irish Cup on 05/11/1892, this proved a bridge too far for the local clubs and the team was abandoned after only 6 League matches.

By George Glass

Comments

Anonymous said…
Nathaniel McAuley Brown was the son of a famous Presbyterian minister of the same name.