JACK HUNT had only just been born when Malcolm Brown stopped playing.
Now Town supporters are enjoying a flashback to the days when the trusty right-back ran at opposing defences – and hoping Hunt can follow in Brown’s footsteps by helping win promotion.
While full-back Hunt and his teammate Jordan Rhodes, Town’s 38-goal hot-shot marksman, are savouring selection in the latest PFA League I team of the Year, a check through the records shows Brown received the same accolade – for four seasons running!
His appearance in the select sides for Division IV (1980) and Division III (1981-83) reflects the talent and consistency of a player who was snapped up by Tom Johnston on a free transfer from Bury in 1977 – and became one of the club’s best and most loyal signings.
Brown made 404 appearances in two spells at Town, setting a club record of playing 259 games running between September 1978 and May 1983.
Fast and dependable, the most exciting features of the Salford-born star’s play were his overlapping runs and hammer-like shot (he netted 23 times for Town).
He played a prominent part in the promotion teams of 1980 (Division IV) and 1983 (III) before joining Newcastle for £100,000 in July 1983.
Sadly, his spell at St James’ Park was blighted by injury, and after 45 appearances, he rejoined Town two year later.
Brown’s second spell at Leeds Road lasted until February 1989, when he moved to Rochdale.
Town’s reputation for unearthing and developing full-backs like academy product Hunt is shown by Geoff Hutt being the first-ever PFA team ‘call-up’, for the Fourth Division side of 1975-76.
Hutt’s fellow left-back Simon Charlton was twice named in the side for what is now League I, in 1992 and the year after.
This season’s League I line-up is: Ben Hamer (Charlton), Hunt, Michael Morrison (Charlton), Harry Maguire (Sheffield United), Rhoys Wiggins (Charlton), Johnnie Jackson (Charlton), Stephen Quinn (Sheffield Unittd), Stephen Gleeson (MK Dons), Darren Potter (MK Dons), Rhodes, Ched Evans (Sheffield Utd).
Arsenal’s Robin van Persie landed the PFA Player of the Year award.
