Brown’s looking for a fresh start
DOUGIE Brown insists he leaves Warwickshire behind him with no regrets and is already excited about what the future entails.
Brown, who turns 47 at the end of this month, left the Bears ‘by mutual consent’ earlier this month after four years at the helm. In that time he led the Bears to this year’s One-Day Cup crown as well as the 2014 T20 Blast.
But their red-ball exploits this season let them down and it took a final-day victory over Lancashire to stave off relegation from the top division.
That four-day disappointment and the ageing profile of the squad were two of the factors behind the powersthat-be at Edgbaston’s decision to part ways with Brown.
And while that was a bitter pill to swallow for a man that has spent 27 years associated with the club both as a player and a coach, the former England ODI international is happy to let sleeping dogs lie.
“I have no regrets at all, I had an outstanding time at the county and the people I have met and the moments we have shared, from trophies won, to games lost,” he said.
“Those are the important moments both to reflect on but also that mold you and make you the person you are.
“Clearly it’s never nice to finish but it’s exciting when I think about what is to come and hopefully I can have another 27 years somewhere else.
“I was saying to someone the other day, any football manager benefits from the experiences they have gone through.
“Is their first job their best one? Probably not. You learn from moving forward.
“I am not the sort of person that is good at sitting still and idling. I am excited about what is coming next, I don’t know what that is and I have nothing in the offing currently.
“But I am very enthusiastic about what I do so we will see how the future unfolds and what circumstances bring.”
For now Brown is enjoying reconnecting with his family, putting their needs first and, in his own words:‘being there for everyone else.’ That time off has also brought a chance for quiet reflection on his time at the helm.
One of the criticisms of Brown’s leadership was the lack of youth coming through on the Midlands conveyor belt.
But the Scotsman bristles at suggestions he did nothing to lay the groundwork for the future – citing the examples of Aaron Thomason, Andy Umeed and Josh Poysden who all had prolonged spells in the first team this summer.
“Did I get everything right?” he added. “Any coach asks that same question but I am pretty proud of what we achieved.
“We knew we had to try and change the age profile of the squad but at the end of the day, your best players are your best players.
“And when you are playing to compete across all three formats it’s hard to find the opportunity to get young guys in.
“We were trying to change and transition last season but unfortunately you cannot legislate for players getting injured – that’s just the way it is. And if somebody is playing good cricket then they deserve to be in the side, regardless of their age.
“We were well aware of what needed to be done, we didn’t quite manage to achieve but I am really happy with where the club is below the first team as well and whoever comes in next is in a good place.”