The Kenny Brown story (From Barry And District News)

The Kenny Brown story

PEOPLE who know Barry Town Manager Kenny Brown are aware he is a man of integrity and resolve.

A man who has been brought up on a diet of football, has experienced the highs and lows and uses his knowledge to galvanise Barry into a successful football club.

Kenny has enjoyed another successful season with Barry but it hasn't all been plain sailing. Far from it.

The well documented problems internally have had an effect on the players as well.

Kenny has had to deal with players wages when there were delays in payment and other problems which have had an influence on how well players performed on the pitch.

In view of all these influences it must be said that Kenny has overcome the hurdles to launch Barry to another great season.

For the third year running they have completed the domestic league and cup double despite a close run-in by TNS in the league and a tough Welsh Cup final against Cwmbran.

All credit must go to Kenny Brown and Andy Yorke for keeping the players focused on the playing side. They have done a remarkable job.

The News caught up with Kenny before he went on holiday and asked how it all started for him as a footballer.

"I was an apprentice at Norwich on the YTS scheme straight from school when my Dad was manager", he said.

"I played for the reserves for a couple of seasons but made my first team debut at 18.

"I was a sub against Oxford and the following week had the job of marking Danny Wallace against Southampton, and we won.

"My Dad spent nine seasons at Norwich before being sacked and I didn't feel comfortable about staying there.

I was offered a contract at Brighton but when my Dad became manager at Plymouth I signed for them. I had three seasons there finishing as player of the year.

"When Billy Bonds was manager of West Ham he signed me on loan. Plymouth were reluctant for me to move on a permanent basis and eventually a tribunal decided if West Ham wanted me they would have to pay £175,000 and a further £60,000 after 60 games."

Kenny said he had a great time at West Ham with players such as Ian Bishop, Alvin Martin, MacIvenny and Stuart Slater.

"They were happy times and I remember we beat Aston Villa 3-1.

I scored a goal and the fans seemed to take to me. I was there for six seasons between 1991 and 1997.

Then Harry Redknapp became manager replacing Billy Bonds and I was out of favour.

"Lots of foreign players were coming to the top clubs and I went on loan to Birmingham, Huddersfield and Reading before being recalled by West Ham.

"More loan deals were on the cards and I went to Crystal Palace for the 1995-96 season.

I played in the First Division play off final when we lost to Leicester.

"Meantime Billy Bonds became manager at Milwall and I signed for him for the following season.

I was a regular there for two seasons. Bonds was eventually sacked and the new management team didn't want me.

"I was glad to leave Milwall and went to Gillingham.

I literally just wanted to play football. Tony Pulis was manager but was soon replaced by Peter Taylor.

"Whenever new managers come in they want to bring in new players and I found myself without a club again.

"I was recommended to play in the Irish League for Portadown and stayed there for three months.

I played in the Irish Cup final against Glentoran at Windsor Park, and although we lost it was a great experience in front of 15,000 fans."

Next week we will continue the Kenny Brown story - how he came to Barry and how he felt about coming to Wales with his family, from his London background.

We will focus on Kenny's plans for Barry Town and his hopes and aspirations.

How does Kenny get along with high profile chairman John Fashanu?

Make sure you read next week's News as we continue this fascinating profile of the ex-West Ham star.