Michael Brown is my favourite United player I've seen after Tony Agana - THAT season he had with us was as good an individual season as I've seen from a Sheffield United player. Whilst we were a decent side that season, Brown turned us into genuine promotion contenders, he was amazing.
The fact that our fans hold Brown in such high regard for what was essentially a couple of decent seasons with an absolute cracker in 02/03 is shown by the fact that even when he plays for the opposition, he gets his name chanted. I think that is the first time - that I can remember, anyway - we have come up against him since he left ten years ago but his performances in that season were so good that people still get goosebumps now. I still refer to him as "Lord" now, I spent many a transfer window until maybe the last couple hoping for him to return. I could watch the goal he scored against Wednesday over and over and over again until the day I die and not ever grow tired of watching it.
However, he was a Port Vale player today. I haven't been to the game but I think I would definitely have applauded him before the game and possibly chanted his name. I'd draw the line at during the game (unless we were 3-0 up) but each to their own. Brown should have known, if he didn't already, at the point he was chanted at by the SUFC fans that he is still held in the highest of esteems by our supporters. Some of our fans that have grown from children to men in the last ten years may only know Brownie as their idol - they may not know of the Agana and Deane of my generation, the Currie and Woodwards of my Dad's generation or the Hagan's of my grandfathers.
I haven't seen what happened. I trust Clough's word and accept that, in his opinion, it was not worthy of a red card. I also don't believe he would lie about Brown rolling around. I am going to look with interest on the FLS or YouTube at what happened. I genuinely hope that Brownie has not done what he is being accused of. I would hope that knowing what an idol/legend/whatever you want to call him he is to the Blades, I would hope that he would save those kind of antics for the fans of other clubs without respect for him - the Grunters and the Florists for example. I sincerely hope he hasn't got Basham sent off.
However, Clough's comment makes me seriously doubt that he hasn't got Basham sent off. I find that a sad indictment of where the modern game is at where three points is more important than your legacy, the bond with fans past and present. I doubt the Port Vale fans will think better of him for getting Basham sent off but I know Sheffield United fans will lose a lot of respect for him if he has. Play the game, give your all for your club, do everything you can to beat your former club but do it within the laws and spirit of the game.
I hope he hasn't ... but I suspect he has.
As for Clough, he didn't have a go at the Blades fans for chanting Brown's names. It was a dig at Brown because he clearly believes that Brown got Basham sent off. Maybe Clough just values sportsmanship and fair play and found it sad that Brown would do that against a club with a bunch of supporters that hold Brownie in such high regards. The OP is a load of bollocks of the highest nature.
