Brown Issues Come And Get Me Plea

Last updated : 13 October 2002 By Rob Cooper
Steve Brown
Steve Brown
Thirty-year-old Brown has found himself stuck in the Reserves this season with little chance of a first team outing. Youngster Jon Fortune has taken the centre-back's place in the side.

After fourteen years at the club Brown admits it is time to leave the club and go somewhere where he can be offered first team football. The veteran has threatened to quit the club many times in the past but appears at last to be serious.

He told South London Press: "I'm not in the picture even when there are injuries. I'm way down the pecking order. It's clearly time for me to move on.

"If the interest is still there from teams come January, I should be off. I can't see any reason why I shouldn't go. I'm fed up with things here now. It's no fun just watching Premiership football.

"I know people will say I've been in this position before and stayed but that's the whole point - it's not the same position as before. It's different this time around, there's no light at the end of the tunnel."

Steve Brown has repeatedly been linked with a move to the Royals in the past six months in order to shore up Alan Pardew's defence but no such deal has ever materialised.

However, Brown insists that Pardew has shown interest in him in recent years and he would be ready to make the switch having played alongside Pardew in the Charlton line-up many years ago.

With no other sides believed to be looking at the 30-year-old Reading are the favourites for his signature.

"The rumours are right and Reading are definitely interested - they've come in for me in the past two summers. But I'm sure there'd be a few other clubs interested despite the current problems with money in the game right now.

"I suppose the link with Reading is their manager Alan Pardew who I played with at Charlton. We'll see what happens.

"Alan Curbishley has been totally up front with me and admits that that is my position, and if all his defenders are fit by Christmas, and the interest is still there, he says he won't stand in my way. I just hope he sticks to his word.

"If Charlton demand a fee and no-one wants to pay it, I have to accept that in the current climate, but I have no control over that. "

Should no January move away from the Valley materialise then Brighton born Brown will likely hold on until the summer when he will be available on a bosman free transfer.