FORMER Socceroo Greg Brown has been appointed as the new Technical Director of North Coast Football.

“I am delighted to be appointed Technical Director at North Coast Football,” Brown said.

“I have been coaching in the Clarence Valley and am excited to help the next generation of footballers and coaches in the region,” he said.

From a humble background in Manchester, England, Greg Brown ventured to New Zealand at the age of 22 for a one year football experience that turned into four decades.

The centre forward was an instant hit in New Zealand, becoming the top goal scorer in the National Soccer League before transferring to the Parramatta Eagles in Australia in 1987.

Brown’s goal scoring prowess continued at the Eagles, where he became the top goal scorer in the Australian National Soccer League (NSL).

In 1990 Brown was named ‘Yardley Gold Australian football player of the year’ and won twelve caps for Australia, scoring three goals for the Socceroos.

“I was scoring plenty of goals and was told I would be given a spot in the national team to play in their next series.
“It was a huge honour.

“Our first match was against New Zealand, which made it easy on me, as I knew all of their players.

“But our second match was against England, Gary Lineker was their captain, and as a striker I was up against the likes of Chris Woods, Stuart Pearce and Paul Parker.

“We narrowly lost 1-0 and that was to an own goal,” Brown laughed.

Brown’s football resume is a coup for NCF endorsed by President Wendy Schafer.

“Greg’s wealth of experience with youth player development will add expertise and improve development in the region,” she said.

“Greg’s willingness to work with and develop better coaches and players is something the zone will benefit from.

“Having a key influencer who is based in the Clarence Valley will help us take football forwards across the whole of the region,” Schafer said.

By David WIGLEY