Alloa Athletic FC legend George Brown who made over three hundred appearances for the club between 1967 – 1974, sadly died on Monday 11th January, 2021, aged 72. George recently revisited Indodrill Stadium, known as Recreation Park in George’s days on 7th April, 2018 when he and his sons, Nicky and Stuart returned to rekindle some great memories. George’s funeral took place on Thursday 21st January, 2021 at St. Ninians Parish Church with donations to Alzheimer’s Scotland.
George was signed for the club on 7th January, 1967 from Bonnybridge by Alloa manager Archie “Curly” McPherson as a centre-half. George is one of only eleven players who have made over 300 first team appearances for “The Wasps” and the eighth highest player in appearances for the club since 1945/46.
During George’s time with Alloa Athletic he played under four managers – Archie “Curly” McPherson 1967-69, Duncan McCallum 1969-71, Ian Crawford 1971-72 & Dan McLinden 1972-74. He made his debut against Montrose at Recreation Park in the Scottish Cup in a 2-1 victory on 7th January, 1967 and at that time Alloa Athletic played in the Scottish League Division Two, some of George’s highlights during that time were in the Cup competitions – In season 1971/72 in the League Cup “The Wasps” qualified from their League Cup section which included Hamilton Accies, Brechin City, Forfar Athletic & East Stirlingshire, in the two-legged Play-off for a Quarter final place the Wasps drew 1-1 at Recreation Park but lost 4-1 to Partick Thistle who were to go on and defeat Celtic 4-1 in the final. The following season 1972-73 The Wasps went one better having again won their League Cup section they were to face First Division side Ayr United over two legs, the first game at Recreation Park ended 0-0 and in the 2nd Leg at Somerset Park “The Wasps” were to win 1-0 thanks to a Willie McCulloch goal and goalkeeper Davie McWilliams saving an Eric Stevenson penalty, one of the longest lasting memories from the game was Alloa centre half George Brown celebrating victory with a cartwheel on the pitch at full-time!
George was rewarded with his consistent displays in the heart of the Alloa Athletic defence when St. Mirren manager Willie Cunningham signed him for the Paisley side on 19th October, 1974 before a certain Alex Ferguson took over as manager the following season at Love Street and George then moved back to Clackmannanshire signing for Sauchie Juniors. In total George Brown made 310 first team starts and another six from the bench for “The Wasps” scoring four goals for the club.
| Season | League | League Cup | Scottish Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966-67 | 16 (-) 0 | 0 (-) 0 | 2 (-) 0 |
| 1967-68 | 29 (-) 0 | 4 (1) 0 | 2 (-) 0 |
| 1968-69 | 28 (4) 0 | 4 (-) 0 | 2 (-) 0 |
| 1969-70 | 36 (-) 1 | 2 (-) 0 | 2 (-) 0 |
| 1970-71 | 36 (-) 0 | 6 (-) 0 | 2 (-) 0 |
| 1971-72 | 33 (1) 2 | 6 (-) 0 | 2 (-) 0 |
| 1972-73 | 36 (-) 1 | 7 (-) 0 | 1 (-) 0 |
| 1973-74 | 36 (-) 0 | 6 (-) 0 | 3 (-) 0 |
| 1974-75 | 4 (-) 0 | 5 (-) 0 | 0 (-) 0 |
| Total Apps | 310 (6) 4 |