John Brownlie (born 11 March 1952) is a Scottish former football player and coach, currently assistant manager of East Stirlingshire.
Brownlie played as a right back for Pumpherston Juniors, Hibernian, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool United, Berwick Rangers, Blyth Spartans and the Scotland national team. Brownlie later managed Cowdenbeath, Meadowbank Thistle, East Stirlingshire, Arbroath and Berwick Rangers.
Playing career Brownlie joined Hibernian from Pumpherston Juniors in 1969 and remained at Easter Road for nine years. He was part of the 1972 League Cup winning team and also earned runners-up medals in 1972 (Scottish Cup) and 1974 (League Cup).
He later played for Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool United, Berwick Rangers and Blyth Spartans. Following his retirement in 1986, he ran a hotel in the English North-East.
Coaching career In 1988 Brownlie gained his first managerial appointment at Cowdenbeath and won promotion from the Scottish Second Division before his departure in 1992.
He subsequently joined Clyde, where he worked as assistant manager under Alex Smith. Just after Christmas in 1993, Brownlie was offered the chance to succeed Donald Park as Meadowbank Thistle manager. He signed a two-year deal but resigned after managing only five matches, having achieved a promotion at work which involved working on Saturdays.
Brownlie later managed East Stirlingshire from 1997 until 1998.
After a spell running the youth teams at Raith Rovers, Brownlie managed Arbroath between 2000 and 2003 where he led the club to promotion from the Scottish Second Division and kept them in the Scottish First Division for two seasons.
He later returned to East Stirlingshire as a coach, taking temporary charge of the first team in 2008 after the resignation of Gordon Wylde.
Brownlie was appointed manager of Berwick Rangers in May 2019 ahead of a relegation play-off, which they lost to Cove Rangers. He was replaced by Ian Little as Berwick manager after they were relegated to the Lowland League.
Brownlie rejoined East Stirlingshire as a coach in July 2020, and later stepped up to become assistant manager of the club after Andy Rodgers left on 4 January 2021.
Personal life His son Paul was also a professional footballer.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsScotland1971101972501973—1974—197510Total70
Managerial record
TeamFromToRecordGWDLWin %Cowdenbeath19881992Meadowbank Thistle19931994East Stirlingshire19971998ArbroathSeptember 2000October 2003Berwick RangersMay 2019May 2019Total
Arbroath statistics come from soccerbase website. Cowdenbeath and East Stirlingshire statistics not currently available.
Honours
Player Hibernian Scottish League Cup: 1972–73
Manager Cowdenbeath Scottish Second Division promotion: 1991–92
Arbroath Scottish Second Division promotion: 2000–01
References
External links
John Brownlie, www.ihibs.co.uk