Brown played as an inside forward for East Fife, Blackpool, Luton Town, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic.
Brown was player/manager of Wigan Athletic, and also managed Luton Town, Torquay United, Bury, Nottingham Forest, Southport and Blackpool.
Brown made his full Scotland debut whilst with East Fife in April 1950, a 3–1 win over Switzerland at Hampden Park.
[7] At Blackpool he enjoyed success; however, he missed the Seasiders' 1951 FA Cup Final appearance after injuring his knee ten days earlier.
He also missed the famous 1953 FA Cup Final victory after breaking his leg whilst scoring an 88th-minute winner in the quarter-final against Arsenal on 28 February 1953.
[8] Brown was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006.
They started the next season promisingly (and were eventually to finish in third place); however, Brown was sacked in December 1968 after it was discovered he had applied for the vacant managerial post at Leicester City.
On 20 June 1972, Brown became manager of Bury, leading them to twelfth place in Division Four at the end of his first season in charge.
The following season, Forest started badly and Brown upset the fans by selling Duncan McKenzie to Brian Clough's Leeds United.
[12] A wreath was laid behind the South Stand goal before the fixture between Blackpool and Newcastle United at Bloomfield Road three days after his death.