Alan Burrows@Alan_Burrows
I am so gutted and upset about today’s news concerning the loss of the legendary Craig Brown, news I have been in some ways bracing myself for, but the sting is no less painful when you receive it.
Craig was always brilliant with me. He was brilliant the first day I met him on Tuesday 29 December 2009, and he was brilliant in the last conversation we had a week last Thursday. He could barely make it through a chat without saying something nice, paying an undue compliment or thanking you for something or other, even when he himself was struggling. I always found him to be that that sort of guy, and he was genuine about it too.
A former Motherwell manager, it is fair to say that he did have one or two small issues with some senior people towards the end of his time at Fir Park. Part of that came from the emotions of football; I can only talk about my own personal experiences - all of which were exclusively positive.
I was only lucky enough to work for Craig as his press officer for one year and he taught me so much in those 12 months. Things that I still try to adopt and use to this day.
Craig was a guy who knew that little things mattered – do lots of them as well as you can, stay humble and you won’t go far wrong.
He also had an incredible knack of making you feel ten feet tall. He would always know the right thing to say or do to help you, to reassure you or to inspire you. Most who met him would agree that it would only take one conversation with him to feel as if you had been friends for years, such was his warmth. It’s little wonder he had such success with the Scotland National Team.
He was an amazing storyteller too. You could name almost anyone in the game, from any era, and he would know a funny or interesting anecdote about them. I still remember so fondly being away on European trips to Iceland, Norway, and Denmark with Motherwell in 2010, feeling like a starstruck kid, as he told so many fascinating and amusing tales about notable names within the Scottish and world game. He had a cheeky, but at the same time, entirely forgivable sense of humour.
I chose the picture with this tweet deliberately. It’s Motherwell (and Craig!) in Odense in the UEFA Europa League play-off - after the team had come through a couple of rounds and enjoyed real momentum.
It was one of the most joyous times to be at the club, we got so, so close to making the group stages that year. When I look at it, it’s how I remember him, and it makes me smile.
Even after he left ‘Well, we kept in touch, and I would always look forward to bumping into him at Aberdeen games or at other events. The love and respect he commanded from everyone – treatment he never courted or took for granted - was notable. I always try to take and treat people for how they are to me, and Craig was always superb with me.
As recently as December, he sent me a recorded video message for my fortieth birthday lunch. My wife Emma had managed to (somehow) convince a bunch of friends and colleagues from my football life/past to say some nice things – normally they’d last 10 or 20 seconds… 30 at most. The usual pleasantries or a playful ribbing. Craig’s was about five minutes long, talking about the times and fun we had at Fir Park, and how much he appreciated everyone for their help during his tenure. He must have namechecked just about everyone at the club, on and off the field, and that was almost his modus operandi. It was an honour for me that he would he consider doing it, let alone taking the time and sending it. Again, it was all 100% genuine.
When I reached a decision to join Aberdeen in February, Craig was literally the first person to phone me after it was announced. He was always so warm and encouraging any time we’ve met since, either in the AFC or opposition boardrooms.
I sat beside him at Tynecastle back in May and that was the first and – regrettably - only time I was lucky enough to be next to him during a match. He didn’t say much, but anytime he did, it was something insightful and fascinating. Even in his mid-80s, he knew every aspect of football and was tactically sharp as a tack. I felt so lucky just to be there with him and share that experience.
The world will remember Craig as a talented and respected football manager; the last person to take the Scotland National Team to a World Cup.
They might even remember Motherwell’s most successful (in terms of win percentage in the top-flight) boss in the modern era – and who can forget that incredible 6-6 match with Hibs? They will also remember his sterling 13-year contribution to the Dons as a manager, director and more recently, an ambassador.
I will remember all those things, but I’ll also cherish a friend, a mentor, and a terrifically warm human being. Rest easy Craig – and thank you so much for everything you did for me. I’ll never forget it.
