BOSS WAS THE PULL FOR ALEX
Lynn new boy hails Culverhouse influence
ALEX BROWN says stepping up to ambitious King’s Lynn Town is more proof he’s taking the right career path.
The 21-year-old England C international has joined the National League North Linnets from Step 3 Buxton.
Brown spent his youth at Sheffield United and quickly realised he needed to be playing as much competitive men’s football as possible if he is to realise his career as a professional.
He was selected for NonLeague’s Three Lions in 2018 after impressing for Sheffield FC and now the highly-rated leftback has nearly two seasons at Buxton under his belt.
Ian Culverhouse’s high-flying Lynn have swooped and while his debut is firmly on hold because of the coronavirus crisis, he feels ready for his new challenge.
Respect
“I’ve played 86 games for Buxton in two seasons which, at 21, isn’t too bad,” Brown said. “If I hadn’t dropped down and played games I don’t think I would be at the stage I am at now. You see quite a few people who slip into another pro club and end up being 22 or 23 having never played a game of men’s football – they can get forgotten about.
“It’s important to be out and playing games. For me, if you’re good enough your time will come anyway. If you’re playing well, whatever standard, people are going to come and watch. It’s taken me the best part of two years at Buxton to make the next step but hopefully it will all be worth it. I didn’t just want to jump at any club. Sometimes you can try to take a step forward and end up going backwards.
“I wanted to make sure it was a club that is going in the right direction and a club that can bring you on as a player. With Ian, the
gaffer, being a full-back, he’s someone that I can learn from.”
Culverhouse’s reputation is high and Brown says that – along with he fact he was a full-back a the highest level – was a big part of the appeal.
“It’s a massive pull because, no matter what, if you’re playing under him you’re going to improve as a player,” Brown said. “He did play in my position and that was a big factor because he’s been there and done it.
“When he tells you you’re not coming round enough or you need to improve your final ball, you really listen and respect it.
“Ross Barrows is there, he’s from Sheffield as well, so speaking to him and some other people around the club they say how good a manager he is.
Structure
“Watching from afar I’ve seen some of the highlights and people tweet about how they play football. We also played against them in the Trophy and seeing how they play and how their fullbacks play really suits me.”
Like the rest of the country, Brown is making the best of the current situation where football, at least at Step 2 and above, has been indefinitely suspended.
“You’ve got to keep yourself ticking over as much as you can but there’s also a line,” Brown, who is a football coach by day, said. “I’ve spoken to people at pro clubs and they’ve been set fitness to do but told not to go overboard because if you weaken your immune system you open yourself up - so there’s a line. You’ve got to be smart about it in these times.
“So I’m active as much as possible – running, on the exercise bike, a walk. It’s trying to have structure in the day.
“It’s tough but there is a bigger picture than football at the moment. A lot of people are dying so football has to take a back seat.”