This Month’s player special is all about an unsung hero who joined Banbury in August 2020 and has become one of the most consistent performers for the red and gold army – Sam Brown. Our Number 3 provides a wealth of experience and promotions across 3 clubs Kempston Rovers, Rushden and Diamonds and Banbury United in an illustrious career with no signs of slowing down as Brown is thriving at the highest level of his career at step 2. Therefore, with all this in mind, we delve into all about the man who is a magnet to promotions.
Sam Brown's love affair with football began in his early childhood, as he was exposed to a wide range of sports. However, like 25 million people in England which equates to 40% of the population, it was football that captivated him the most. Joining his local football team as soon as he was old enough, Sam embarked on a lifelong journey with the beautiful game. His passion for football grew exponentially when his father (Andy Brown) introduced him to Rushden and Diamonds (R&D) at the tender age of 5 years old. The duo became regulars at the matches as they possessed season tickets witnessing the club's rise through the ranks from non-league into the football league.
The connection between Sam and Rushden & Diamonds deepened as he earned a place in their youth teams at the age of 8. For eight memorable years, Sam proudly wore the R&D badge, experiencing the life of an academy footballer. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he faced the disappointment of being released from the club at the age of 16. It was a tough blow, but little did Sam know that this setback would be the making off him. He has now had the ability to possess a full-time job as an accountant working alongside his semi-professional football career making him thrive in two completely different sectors simultaneously.
Determined to continue pursuing his football dreams, Sam joined Kempston Rovers after parting ways with Rushden and Diamonds. In his very first year with the club and in his first year of men’s football, he celebrated the sweet taste of victory as they clinched the league title thus proving straight away Brown is that magnet to promotions. However, back at R&D extinction occurred, and a phoenix side arose from its’s own ashes but at a cost of plying their trade at step 6 of the non-league pyramid in contrast to the football league in which the club had been used to. This links to the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, as he quoted ‘It’s Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without’ meaning in this case for the Rushden fans it’s better to have a team at the bottom of the pyramid than no team at all. Nevertheless, the allure of his former club remained strong, and when Rushden and Diamonds re-formed at Step 6, Sam couldn't resist the opportunity to return to the club he held close to his heart and start the journey up the footballing Pyramid.
Under the guidance of firstly Mark Starmer, and then Andy Peaks (the now Tamworth Manager), who had transitioned from assistant to manager, Sam experienced six fulfilling years at Rushden and Diamonds. During this time, he was an integral part of the team's journey, playing a significant role in three promotions. The most memorable of these for Sam, was the team's triumph in the third season, securing the United Counties Premier league title to the Southern League Division 1. Despite Diamonds are made under pressure, Rushden had no pressure in the league as they got up and ATOM (I will stop with the diamond puns soon) against each opposing team creating a formidable season reaching 99 points, 121 goals score plus Sam brown being a ‘Rock’ at the back only conceding 32 goals all season. Sam was only 1 point away from being a centurion but that did not take the sparkle off the diamond’s celebrations. Brown led the club on a upward trajectory taking the club from step 6 to 3 in 6 seasons.
With the 2019/20 season curtailing early and the world creating a sense of unknown territory for mankind, found Sam preparing for another pre-season at Rushden and Diamonds. However, Banbury thought differently, as they created more unknown territory for Sam as his father Andy received a message from Phil Lines, the Chairman of Banbury United, expressing interest in signing Sam. Familiar with Banbury's reputation as a solid team, Sam knew it would present a new challenge, but leaving behind eight years at Rushden and Diamonds wouldn't be easy. However, as the saying goes, "Diamonds aren't forever," and after accumulating a remarkable record of 331 appearances and 9 goals, Sam chose to embrace the opportunity of a new challenge and sign for the Puritans.
The meeting with Banbury United's newly appointed manager, Andy Whing, and Chairman Phil Lines turned out to be a revelation for Sam. From the outset, Andy showcased a clear vision for the club's future and expressed his interest in signing Sam based on his previous performances, and how highly the club rated him during their encounter in the Banbury vs. Diamonds match, which happened to be the last game before the season was halted due to the pandemic. Phil outlined ambitious plans for the club, including the promise of promotion if Sam signed.
In Brownie's opening season at the club, the hope of promotion was halted again by the outbreak of the coronavirus, which forced the league to be curtailed after just seven games. However, this setback didn't deter Banbury from making an impressive run in the FA Cup. They triumphed through the qualifying rounds, earning themselves a spot in the first-round proper for the first time in 46 years. This remarkable feat was not only a dream come true for every Puritan but also a personal ambition of Brown's since he embarked on his journey in football. He had always aspired to don a jersey with his name on the back, considering it a “cool thing to have”. Despite the defeat and the absence of a crowd due to local lockdown measures, reaching the first-round proper was a significant achievement for both the club and its players. Though, a year later, Brown's dream was realised once again as Banbury secured back-to-back appearances in the first round massively due to Sam’s last minute winner v Nantwich Town in the early qualifying rounds. This time, Brown had the opportunity to showcase his skills not only in front of 2,500 Banbury fans but also to a nationwide audience on ITV, etching the day into the club's history books.
Yet, Brown's most cherished and extraordinary moment in Banbury's red and gold came when they clinched the Southern League central title. The Left back recalls “we weren’t counted amongst the favourites, so the pressure was on Coalville and Peterborough sports”. With Banbury playing under no pressure, they were able to put on a show, as they only slumbered to 2 defeats all season thus meaning Brown went 3 points better than his step 5 promotion and was finally crowned a centurion. With the league title won in style by 23 points, the full back classifies it as one of the biggest achievements for the league and something which won’t be done again in a long time.
With the Magnet earning 5 promotions with 3 different clubs led to Brown to now playing at his highest ever level. Brownie who has consistently stepped up to each level expressed “The step up into the National League has been the toughest to date, whilst at Step 3, maybe half the league is strong and in contention, it felt like moving into Step 2 there are no easy games.” This was proved on the last day of the season with 10 clubs going down to the final day of the season in the hope to secure playoffs. This also highlights the amount of Full time and Hybrid teams in the league creating Banbury to be on the back foot due to only being part time. Brown not only has to organise the defence, but he now has to organise his work schedule due to the travel demands of the league, thus meaning staying late on days he doesn’t have football to catch up on any work missed. Despite the step up, Sam has relished in the challenge and enjoyed the learning curve whilst having the opportunity to put on a show in big grounds such as Kidderminster Harriers and Boston United. With all this in mind, it was a successful season for Banbury as they finished in 17th place at step 2, the highest both Brown and the Puritans have ever finished in their careers.
Sam's legendary status extends not only to himself but also to his dad, Andy, who has become a legend among the club's supporters. Andy has fully embraced the life of a Puritan, faithfully following the club to matches across the country, even when Sam is not on the field. However, when Sam does play, he takes great pleasure in having his dad in the stands, as he appreciates having someone who can critique his performance. Andy's presence is particularly meaningful because he understands the high standards that Sam sets for himself. Yet, in April 2015, Andy was in charge of deciding the MOTM award for R&D where he Selected for his son for the award, which either shows Sam defiantly met the standards or his dad fancied the MOTM gift himself.
With the future only focusing on his playing career for a few more years at least, Sam is looking to build on the solid foundations made in the club’s first year at step 2. However, as he is a magnet to promotion, who knows what could happen in season 2 with the pull from playing for one of the most southern teams in the league in the northern division, this could create the magnetic force off north and south to attract another promotion. Overall, Sam is not only a legend at one club, but he is also a legend at two, a feat which don’t happen to players very often thus proving what a stellar career he has had so far with more to come.
Sam Brown – 5 promotions, R&D Record appearance holder, A Centurion, 2 Northamptonshire Senior Cups & 2 league UCL League cups.
Thank you for reading and thank you to Sam Brown for his cooperation and allowing us to write your story.
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