Billy Brawn


William Frederick Brawn was an English international footballer, who played as an outside right in the Football League, most notably for Aston Villa and Chelsea. He was nicknamed "Gansey".

Playing career

Born in Wellingborough, Brawn began his career as an amateur with local non-league clubs Wellingborough St Mark's, Wellingborough Town and Northampton Town. He turned professional when he joined First Division club Sheffield United in January 1900 for a £125 fee. He moved to Aston Villa in December 1901, with whom he won two England caps in 1904 and the 1904–05 FA Cup. Brawn later played league football for Middlesbrough and Chelsea and ended his career with Southern League club Brentford. The final appearance of Brawn's career came in the colours of Tottenham Hotspur, when the White Hart Lane club turned up a man short for a London Combination fixture versus Brentford at Griffin Park on 8 November 1918.

Administrative career

Brawn served on the Brentford board of directors in 1919 and acted as "advisory manager" from 1919 until 1921.

Personal life

Brawn married Ada in Wellingborough in 1902. While with Brentford, Billy Brawn ran the Kings Arms Hotel at 19 Boston Road, Brentford and lived there until his death in 1932.

Honours

Aston Villa
England