Wrexham Evening Leader

Wrexham sign striker Brown

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

05 June 2008

Simon BrownSIMON BROWN admitted the ambitions of the Wrexham management team persuaded him to join the Reds.

Striker Brown became boss Brian Little's second new signing of the summer, following last month's capture of midfielder Paul Carden, when he penned a two-year deal at The Racecourse.

The 24-year-old was surplus to requirements at Mansfield, who were relegated to the Blue Square Premier along with Wrexham last season, and was interesting a number of Football League clubs.

But having heard Little's desire to bounce back from that disappointment, Brown jumped at the chance to join Wrexham and now hopes to help the club win promotion back into League Two.

"I went round Colliers Park and saw the facilities which were brilliant, and had a good chat with the manager and his assistant," said Brown today. "And the way they came across, I just thought this was the right place to be.

"They spoke about where they wanted to take the club and it really appealed to me.

"They have plans for the club and want to bounce back. I was taken by that and their talk of reshaping, and I want to be part of that.

"I'm not bothered about playing in the Blue Square Premier with Wrexham but I don't want to be in this division for too long.

"So it seemed this is the place I should be at to go straight back up and take the club back to where it belongs.

"I had the chance to stay in the Football League as a few clubs were sniffing round, but the manager's vision of where he wants to take the club meant Wrexham was the right choice for me."

Former West Brom trainee Brown, who has electric pace and can also play in a wide position, failed to make a first team appearance for the Baggies but it was whilst on loan at black country neighbours Kidderminster Harriers in 2004 that he made a big impact.

Mansfield eventually paid £50,000 for Brown in December 2004 and although his spell at Field Mill was affected by injury, he scored 21 league goals in 76 league starts for the Stags.

Brown made 32 appearances last season, scoring four goals, but did not feature in either of the two relegation showdowns against Wrexham, and he was disappointed not to get the chance to help Mansfield avoid the drop.

"I had a good spell at Mansfield a couple of seasons ago with Richie Barker, playing well and scoring goals," said Brown.

"Towards the end of the season, a new man came in and had his own ideas. I did not get a look in and I was not really playing.

"The team was not doing that well so it was disappointing not to get in.
"When you are relegated you have to learn from it, and make sure it never happens again."

Brown, determined to play his part and weigh in with goals for Wrexham, is looking forward to the challenge ahead, but he knows the Blue Square Premier will be a competitive division.

"I did not play as much as I would have liked last season," added Brown.

"I am going to get a good pre-season, get myself fit and have a good crack.

"I want to force my way into the team, play well and score goals.

"Martin Foyle is an ex-striker who I think can help me with my game, and hopefully we can get back into the Football League at the first attempt.

"But it won't be easy as there are some good teams in the division.

"We will be one of the big teams and therefore a big scalp, but we just have to take it one game at a time and try to keep getting points on the board."

First-team coach Foyle, who tried to sign Brown when manager at Port Vale, was delighted to have secured the services of a major target: "Simon is an important signings," he said. "He had a very good pedigree as a youngster and I was after him when I was at Port Vale.

"Simon is an exciting player who will be a crowd favourite. He has got pace, will take anyone on and has got an eye for goal. He can also play anywhere in the front four.

"He has seen the facilities, likes our plans and wants to be part of it.

"Yes, he was relegated with Mansfield but he could easily have stayed in the league. One of two league clubs were after him but he wanted to come here so we are very pleased.

"Simon has a great attitude and wants to work at his game which is refreshing," added Foyle who hopes another striker will join Wrexham tomorrow.