When you think of Phil Brown, the manager, it’s hard not to think of his roller-coaster ride as Hull City boss back in their Premier League glory days – almost peak ‘Barclays’ era.
From winning promotions and celebratory karaoke sessions to coaching world-class stars and the infamous on-field half time team talk at The Etihad, it was arguably the most memorable period in the Tigers’ history.
Now, nearly two decades on, Brown is feeling the same feels he had during his four seasons at Hull, as manager in the National League North with Kidderminster Harriers.
“Strange enough, if I were to draw a parallel with how I'm feeling now at Kidderminster Harriers and how I was feeling at Hull City, I'd say they're fairly close to the feelings that I had.” Brown told DAZN News in an exclusive chat with the Harriers gaffer.
“I'm talking about the understanding of the supporters, the understanding of the owners and the chairman, and then getting a tune out of a group of players who are on the same page as me, the way I want to play football, the way I see football.
“It's quite amazing because you're talking maybe 10, 15 years difference. However, the mentality of the group of players is fairly similar. We have a group at Kidderminster that are trying to prove people wrong or right, whichever the case may be, because we got relegated last year.”
Brown becoming boss
Brown, a defender best known at Bolton Wanderers in the early 1990s, got his break in coaching through Bruce Rioch before eventually teaming up with Sam Allardyce and enjoying success as his number two during Wanderers' rise to the top flight.
Yet, despite having fingers in several post-football business adventures – including an electrical company, a restaurant and a pub – becoming a manager was always his aim. After his exploits at Hull, Brown enjoyed varying degrees of success at different clubs, even spending two years with Indian club Hyderabad, fulfilling a life’s ambition of working in a changing room where no one understands him – although as a Geordie he admits that’s nothing new. So, what attracted him to Kidderminster at this stage of his coaching career?
“First and foremost, I would say the people. Dean Holdsworth is the director of football and asked me to come across to run my eye over it, as in my experience.
“But if you look at the infrastructure of the football club, it's in a good place. You know, I think Richard Lane, the owner of the club, is a very successful businessman. He's in the IT industry, and he's learning about football.
“He loves to sit down and chat and learn a little more about how we're thinking, playing, etc. I've got a great relationship with the board of directors because I just open myself up.
"I've got nothing to hide. I open myself up with regards to how we're going to play, what's the choice of players, why I've selected them, what's the tactics, etc. It's really enjoyable. It's engaging with people who are genuinely concerned about the football club.
“That’s the reason why I took the job is because of the people. As for potential as a club, it’s National League North at the moment, but they were a league club not too far ago.”
Ade Hoskins
Getting the Harriers going
Indeed, it was the early 2000s when Harriers were last a Football League club, around the same time Brown was coaching the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff at the Reebok. Still, he believes that it’s a place where the club can strive to be again in the future, and his excitement is evident as he talks about bringing that kind of spotlight back to Aggborough Stadium.
“A hundred per cent, a hundred per cent,” Brown states emphatically when asked if there’s potential for Kidderminster to be a league club again.
“After getting relegated last year, I get a two-year contract having been relegated. And I said to the chairman, I need to reward you with league football. And he's like, that's two years down the line that, you know, that's going to take back-to-back promotions. Well, why not? You know, National League North, National League. I'm not saying that's similar.
“There's definitely better quality in the National League itself. But you're talking about National League to League Two, I don't think there's too much of a jump.
“It's just down to being well-run and having the right management infrastructure. I think we've got enough right people in the right places to make this club a success.”
With Phil Brown on the touchline and his wealth of experience, it does give Kidderminster a chance of finding that success down the road. The 65-year-old has been coaching for over twenty-five years and has brought that experience to his current role. But has he been able to apply that knowledge to the level he’s now enjoying in the National League?
“What carries weight in your expression or your explanation of something is the fact that you can mention a Jay-Jay Okocha or Djorkaeff or like a Giovanni or Jimmy Bullard.” Brown explains.
“Players that people know a lot about that can play the game of football at the highest level. Just by mentioning the name, it gathers a little bit of credence and credibility.KHFC
“I don't say it for that reason. I say it because I know these players that I'm talking about were listening to me. So, when you've got players at this level, they should be listening.
“But the bottom line is if you don't explain yourself properly, you're going to lose your audience. I mean, some of the greatest comedians in the world have died on stage, and it's telling the same joke.“It's not funny what I'm doing. It's real. I love football. I love management. I love the game. And whatever level it is, getting a tune out of a group of players is just a wonderful feeling.”
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