Reece Brown (footballer, born 1996)

Brown was born in Dudley, West Midlands, where he attended Jesson's Primary School{{cite web |url=http://jessonsblog1.blogspot.com/2011/12/real-sporting-superstar-and-jessons-boy.html |title=A real sporting superstar – and a Jesson's boy |first=L. |last=Griffiths |website=Headteacher's blog |date=5 December 2011 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407081821/http://jessonsblog1.blogspot.com/2011/12/real-sporting-superstar-and-jessons-boy.html |archive-date=7 April 2016}} and then Dormston School in the Sedgley area.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20130731-blue-kid-on-the-block-reece-brown-957773.aspx |title=Blue kid on the block – Reece Brown |first=Andy |last=Walker |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=31 July 2013 |access-date=1 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061232/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20130731-blue-kid-on-the-block-reece-brown-957773.aspx |archive-date=21 September 2013}}{{cite book |url=http://www.dormstonschool.co.uk/assets/Word-Document-Uploads/Issue-2-Autumn-2011.pdf |title=Dormston News |publisher=Dormston School |date=Winter 2011 |page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204084948/http://www.dormstonschool.co.uk/assets/Word-Document-Uploads/Issue-2-Autumn-2011.pdf |archive-date=4 February 2017}} As a boy, he played football for Sedgley White Lions, and he joined Birmingham City at the age of ten. After leaving school, he took up a scholarship with the club in July 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2012.ashx |format=PDF |title=List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2012 and 31/07/2012 |publisher=The Football Association |page=39 |access-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203215924/http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2012.ashx |archive-date=3 February 2016}} His goal against West Bromwich Albion's youth team helped Birmingham reach the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup;{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfcacademy.com/news.php?story=116 |title=Blues convincingly progressed in the FA Youth Cup with an impressive victory over their near-neighbours at Damson Park |publisher=Birmingham City FC Academy |date=11 December 2012 |access-date=6 August 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109052956/http://www.bcfcacademy.com/news.php?story=116 |archive-date=9 January 2013}} they lost to Norwich City's youngsters in that round.{{cite news |url=http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/norwich-city-make-the-fa-youth-cup-sixth-round-with-extra-time-win-over-birmingham-city-1-1956194 |title=Norwich City make the FA Youth Cup sixth round with extra-time win over Birmingham City |first=Michael |last=Bailey |newspaper=The Pink Un |publisher=Archant |date=26 February 2013 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630171716/https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/norwich-city-make-the-fa-youth-cup-sixth-round-with-extra-time-win-over-birmingham-city-1-1956194 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |url-status=live}} His fellow first-year scholar Liam Truslove was given a professional contract at the end of the 2012–13 season, but Brown was not. Academy manager Kristjaan Speakman suggested there were parts of his game that needed improvement: "Over the last few years, he has always been regarded as a ball-playing midfielder, very comfortable in possession and able to retain it. What the manager wants from his midfield players is the ability to affect the game out of possession as well."{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-reece-brown-told-5392434 |title=Rising Birmingham City star Reece told not to let up by Academy boss |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 August 2013 |access-date=30 June 2018}} In a July 2013 interview, Brown concurred: he rated his best quality as "what I can do on the ball", and felt he needed to improve his mental strength.

After impressing in training ahead of the new season, Brown produced two goals and set up another for Reece Hales in a development squad pre-season friendly against Solihull Moors.{{cite news |url=http://www.solihullobserver.co.uk/2013/08/02/sport-Moors-bag-a-hat-trick-of-victories-79548.html |title=Moors bag a hat-trick of victories |first=Jamie |last=Arrowsmith |newspaper=Solihull Observer |date=31 July 2013 |access-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055428/http://www.solihullobserver.co.uk/2013/08/02/sport-Moors-bag-a-hat-trick-of-victories-79548.html |archive-date=21 September 2013}} This earned him inclusion in the first-team training group, and he was given a squad number and played the last few minutes of the senior friendly against Hull City.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reece-brown-joins-ranks-birmingham-5379557 |title=Reece Brown makes his debut as Clark keeps faith in Birmingham City's youth policy |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=30 June 2018}} He was named among the substitutes for Birmingham's Championship defeat away to Queens Park Rangers in September, ahead of the likes of Scott Allan and Matt Green, and according to manager Lee Clark, "he was very close to getting on the pitch".{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-lee-clark-tells-6038125 |title=Lee Clark: Reece Brown is an extremely talented young man |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=30 June 2018}} He did get on the pitch in the next match, away to Burnley on 17 September, replacing Darren Ambrose in the 51st minute, just after Birmingham went 2–0 down; the match ended 3–0. In a poor team performance, Clark suggested that Brown was "the only player who has probably enhanced his reputation from the night. He came on and showed his ability, showed no nerves and was competitive".{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-lee-clark-tells-6062453 |title=Lee Clark: Reece Brown is a super little footballer and a great technician |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 September 2013 |access-date=16 May 2019}}

On his first league start, on 18 January 2014, Brown was man of the match, albeit in a losing cause at home to Yeovil Town,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/birmingham-city-0-yeovil-town-6528349 |title=Birmingham City 0 Yeovil Town 2 |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=30 June 2018}} and he impressed a week later in the FA Cup defeat to Premier League club Swansea City.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/birmingham-city-1-swansea-city-2-match-report-wilfired-bony-strikes-twice-to-give-swans-a-welcome-9085162.html |title=Birmingham City 1 Swansea City 2 match report: Wilfired Bony's double gives Michael Laudrup a lift |first=Simon |last=Hart |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=25 January 2014 |access-date=30 June 2018}} Between those two matches, he signed his first professional contract with Birmingham, a two-and-a-half-year deal to run until 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140124-reece-brown-pens-pro-deal-1314553.aspx |title=Reece Brown pens pro deal |first=Andy |last=Walker |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=24 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129095000/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140124-reece-brown-pens-pro-deal-1314553.aspx |archive-date=29 January 2014}}

After playing in just one of Birmingham's first six games of the 2014–15 season, Brown joined League One club Notts County on a youth loan, initially for a month.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140828-official-reece-brown-joins-notts-county-1880797.aspx |title=Official: Reece Brown joins Notts County |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=28 August 2014 |access-date=28 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828155715/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140828-official-reece-brown-joins-notts-county-1880797.aspx |archive-date=28 August 2014}} He went straight into the starting eleven and played the first 64 minutes of the weekend's match against Bristol City, which Notts lost to a stoppage-time penalty. Two days later, in the Football League Trophy against League Two opponents Mansfield Town, he was used as a playmaker. According to the Nottingham Post, he "revelled in his role as number ten and played with real maturity. Was a real threat whenever he received the ball and came close to scoring with a header", and was named man of the match by both newspaper{{cite news |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Notts-County-2-Mansfield-Town-0-Johnstone-s-Paint/story-22865144-detail/story.html |title=Notts County 2 Mansfield Town 0: Johnstone's Paint Trophy match report |newspaper=Nottingham Post |date=3 September 2014 |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624221911/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Notts-County-2-Mansfield-Town-0-Johnstone-s-Paint/story-22865144-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 June 2015}} and club.{{cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?matchid=3770768 |title=Notts County 2 Mansfield Town 0 |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=2 September 2014 |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224085745/http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?matchid=3770768 |archive-date=24 December 2016}} He made four starts in all before his loan was cut short because of injury.{{cite news |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Notts-County-Winger-Reece-Brown-returns/story-22987477-detail/story.html |title=Notts County: Winger Reece Brown returns to Birmingham City |newspaper=Nottingham Post |date=25 September 2014 |access-date=29 September 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140929113155/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Notts-County-Winger-Reece-Brown-returns/story-22987477-detail/story.html |archive-date=29 September 2014}}

File:Reece Brown Birmingham August 2016.jpg in August 2016]]

Gary Rowett, who replaced Clark as manager soon after Brown's return to Birmingham, included the player among the substitutes for his first match in charge, though he remained unused. In February 2015, while praising Brown's technical skill and ability with the ball, Rowett felt he needed to improve off the ball, especially because of the physical nature of Championship football, and to prove himself in training.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gary-rowett-bright-prospect-reece-8687739 |title=Gary Rowett: Bright prospect Reece Brown getting closer to Birmingham City first team – but he's still a little way off |first=Joseph |last=Chapman |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 February 2015 |access-date=30 June 2018}} He selected him once more that season, in the absence of midfielders Stephen Gleeson and Diego Fabbrini and in recognition of his improvement in training, again on the bench for a 4–2 defeat away to AFC Bournemouth in April.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-hopeful-diego-fabbrini-9002218 |title=Birmingham City hopeful of Diego Fabbrini return for Wolves visit |first=Joseph |last=Chapman |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=8 April 2015 |access-date=30 June 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/reece-brown/274810/ |title=R. Brown: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=22 June 2018}} By November, Brown had played just six minutes of first-team football, in the League Cup second round, and Rowett had spoken publicly of his lack of professionalism in matters such as punctuality.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-read-gary-rowetts-10205557 |title=Birmingham City: Read Gary Rowett's advice to Blues youngster Reece Brown |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=6 October 2015 |access-date=30 June 2018}} His application improved, and on 21 November, he made his first appearance in the Championship for more than a year, as a 72nd-minute substitute with Birmingham 1–0 down at home to Charlton Athletic.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-boss-gary-rowett-10440974 |title=Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett hopeful Reece Brown is starting to fulfil his potential |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=14 November 2015 |access-date=30 June 2018}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/match-report/339723/birmingham-city-v-charlton-athletic |title=Birmingham City v Charlton Athletic |website=Sporting Life |publisher=Sky |date=21 November 2015 |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126092929/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/match-report/339723/birmingham-city-v-charlton-athletic |archive-date=26 November 2015}}

Having had no more first-team involvement, Brown joined Premier League club West Ham United on trial in January 2016, and made a promising appearance in a development squad match against Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2016/reece-brown-on-trial-with-west-ham/ |title=Reece Brown on trial with West Ham |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=5 January 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623034431/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2016/reece-brown-on-trial-with-west-ham/ |archive-date=23 June 2018}}
{{cite web |url=http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2016/january/04-january/highlights-dev-squad-2-0-brighton-ha |title=Highlights – Dev Squad 2–0 Brighton & HA |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=4 January 2016 |access-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204003953/http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2016/january/04-january/highlights-dev-squad-2-0-brighton-ha |archive-date=4 February 2017}} He also spent time with AFC Bournemouth, and was reported to have attracted interest from Manchester City.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-transfer-rumour-mill-10749620 |title=Birmingham City transfer rumour mill: Gary Rowett linked with a return to Burton for attacker; youngster set for Man City trial? |first=Joseph |last=Chapman |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=18 January 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}} In March, Birmingham City suspended Brown pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his "conduct and levels of professionalism."{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gary-rowett-birmingham-city-decided-11060513 |title=Gary Rowett: Why Birmingham City decided to suspend Reece Brown |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}} He returned to the development squad and, according to Rowett, he was working harder. At the end of April, the club offered him another year on his contract, which was due to expire;{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/talented-birmingham-city-starlet-offered-11261559 |title=Talented Birmingham City starlet offered a new contract |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=29 April 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}} he signed the extension in June.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reece-brown-agrees-birmingham-city-11497006 |title=Reece Brown agrees Birmingham City extension |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 June 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}}

Brown was not included in the first-team training camp in Spain, reportedly because Rowett "wanted him to work for his opportunities",{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/analysis-birmingham-city-youngsters-who-11699550 |title=Analysis: These are the Birmingham City youngsters who could be next in line |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=5 August 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}} but his pre-season performances earned him a place on the bench for the opening fixture of the new Championship season, at home to Cardiff City. He replaced David Cotterill after 71 minutes, and came close to creating a winning goal when he cut the ball back for debutant Jack Storer who narrowly failed to touch it past the goalkeeper; the match finished goalless.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/birmham-vs-cardiff/358111 |title=Birmingham 0–0 Cardiff: Goalless at St Andrew's |agency=PA Sport |publisher=Sky Sports |date=6 August 2016 |access-date=7 August 2016}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-gary-rowett-thought-jack-11714687 |title=This is what Gary Rowett thought about Jack Storer's Birmingham City performance |first=Paul |last=Suart |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=6 August 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}} In September, Brown made his first start for Birmingham in two and a half years, in a 2–2 draw away to Preston North End.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reece-brown-reveals-what-made-12006551 |title=Reece Brown reveals what made him turn his Birmingham City career around |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=11 October 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}} He took his appearance total for the season to eight before Rowett was replaced as manager by Gianfranco Zola; thereafter, his only outing was as a second-half substitute in a losing cause away to Newcastle United in the FA Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38322274 |title=Gianfranco Zola: Birmingham City appoint ex-West Ham boss as manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2016 |access-date=9 May 2017}}

Zola agreed to let Brown go out on loan, at the player's request, because he thought it could "be good for his maturity to go and play in a real difficult situation where he is going to be pushed to improve. Not only as a footballer but his character and temperament as well."{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-manager-gianfranco-zola-12563184 |title=Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola on his late decision to loan out Reece Brown |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=6 February 2017 |access-date=30 June 2018}} Brown joined League One club Chesterfield on 31 January 2017 on loan until 30 April.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38809647 |title=Reece Brown and Osman Kakay among four Chesterfield loan signings |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=1 February 2017}} He made two appearances, both as a second-half substitute in a home defeats to Oldham Athletic and Bury, before manager Gary Caldwell confirmed in mid-March that after "a few incidents", the club felt it was best Brown went back to Birmingham.{{cite web |url=http://www.player.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/latest-news/80889046-3744-474b-9572-6027c0775ded |title=Gary Caldwell pre Peterborough United |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |date=13 March 2017 |access-date=13 March 2017 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318023208/http://www.player.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/latest-news/80889046-3744-474b-9572-6027c0775ded |archive-date=18 March 2017}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/spireites-loan-player-reece-brown-returns-to-birmingham-city-1-8436207 |title=Spireites loan player Reece Brown returns to Birmingham City |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |date=13 March 2017 |access-date=30 June 2018}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/reece-brown-loan-cut-short/ |title=Reece Brown loan cut short |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=14 March 2017 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809211538/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/reece-brown-loan-cut-short/ |archive-date=9 August 2017}} Birmingham released him when his contract expired at the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/reece-browns-birmingham-city-career-13006948 |title=Reece Brown's Birmingham City career comes to an end |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=30 June 2018}}

On 1 June 2017, Brown signed for recently promoted League Two club Forest Green Rovers on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/former-birmingham-city-midfielder-joins-86475 |title=Former Birmingham City midfielder joins Forest Green Rovers |first=Jon |last=Palmer |website=Gloucestershire Live |date=1 June 2017 |access-date=9 August 2017}} He made his debut on the opening day of the 2017–18 season, in the starting eleven for a 2–2 draw at home to Barnet. Brown scored his first senior goal on 19 August, "with a well-struck free-kick from the edge of the box" in first-half stoppage time as Forest Green came back from 2–0 and 3–1 down to beat Yeovil Town 4–3 and record their first win in the Football League.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40908051 |title=Forest Green Rovers 4–3 Yeovil Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2017 |access-date=19 August 2017}}

He played regularly, mainly in the number ten role, finishing the season with 42 appearances in all competitions, and the club took up their option to extend his contract for a further year.{{cite web |url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/2018/fgr-extend-brown-s-stay |title=FGR extend Brown's stay |publisher=Forest Green Rovers F.C. |date=7 May 2018 |access-date=16 May 2019}} In the 2018–19 season he was used in a deeper role with more positional freedom which, according to the Stroud News & Journal{{'s}} sports reporter, bore witness to his increased willingness and ability to cope with the more physical side of the game.{{cite news |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/16907120.reece-brown-enjoying-deeper-role-at-forest-green/ |title=Reece Brown enjoying deeper role at Forest Green |newspaper=Stroud News and Journal |date=27 September 2018 |access-date=16 May 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/10-goals-14-assists-birmingham-16157006 |title='10 goals and 14 assists' Birmingham City fans are keeping a close eye on this wanted man's progress |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 April 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}} He added goalscoring to his game; in March, he scored five and was involved in all seven of Forest Green's goals, a performance that earned him the EFL League Two Player of the Month award.{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/april/sky-bet-league-two-manager-and-player-of-the-month-march-winners/ |title=Sky Bet League Two: Manager and Player of the Month winners |publisher=English Football League |date=12 April 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}} He finished the season with double figures of both goals and assists from 52 appearances in all competitions, securing himself a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year{{cite web |url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2019/4/24/league-two-team-of-the-year |title=PFA League Two Team of the Year |publisher=The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}} and contributing to Forest Green's play-off spot; they lost to Tranmere Rovers in the semi-final, Brown's last appearance with Forest Green.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/13/forest-green-tranmere-play-off-match-report |title=Tranmere heading for Wembley final after edging out Forest Green |agency=Press Association |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=13 May 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}}

Amid interest from Championship clubs including Bristol City and Leeds United, Forest Green offered Brown a new contract at the end of season 2018–19.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-leeds-united-transfer-2873161 |title=Bristol City and Leeds United transfer target offered new contract in move that will trigger compensation fee |first=David |last=Byrom |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=15 May 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}} On 21 June 2019, he signed a three-year contract with Huddersfield Town, newly relegated from the Premier League, for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2019/june/transfer-reece-brown-joins-the-terriers/ |title=Transfer: Reece Brown joins the Terriers! |publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |date=20 June 2019 |access-date=20 June 2019}}

Having played just once for Huddersfield, in the EFL Cup, Brown signed for League One club Peterborough United on 3 January 2020 on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50983848 |title=Reece Brown: Peterborough United sign Huddersfield Town midfielder on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 January 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020}} He was a regular in the starting eleven, forming a successful partnership with Jack Taylor in central midfield, until the season was ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On 17 August, Brown rejoined Peterborough on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124 |title=League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2020 |access-date=18 August 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/peterborough-united-re-sign-midfielder-season-long-loan-and-player-and-manager-are-delighted-2945073 |title=Peterborough United re-sign midfielder on a season-long loan and the player and manager are delighted |first=Alan |last=Swann |website=Peterborough Today |date=17 August 2020 |access-date=18 August 2020}}

Brown signed for Peterborough on loan for a third time in January 2022,{{cite news |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/brown-delighted-to-back-at-peterborough-united-after-helping-the-club-to-promotion-last-season-3549538 |title=Brown delighted to back at Peterborough United after helping the club to promotion last season |first=Alan |last=Swann |website=Peterborough Today |date=31 January 2022 |access-date=5 February 2022}} but made only eight league appearances (five starts) as the team were relegated.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12595698/efl-goals-and-round-up |title=EFL goals and round-up: Peterborough and Oldham relegated; Forest Green promoted |website=Sky Sports |date=23 April 2022 |access-date=23 May 2022}} He was released by Huddersfield when his contract expired at the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2022/june/202122-retained-list-confirmed/ |title=2021/22 retained list confirmed |publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |date=1 June 2022 |access-date=1 July 2022}}

Brown rejoined Forest Green Rovers, newly promoted to League One as League Two champions, when his Huddersfield contract expired.{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/forgotten-huddersfield-town-midfielder-rejoins-24372118 |title=Forgotten Huddersfield Town midfielder rejoins former club after Terriers release |first=Steven |last=Chicken |newspaper=Huddersfield Examiner |date=1 July 2022 |access-date=1 July 2022}}

Following the second of back-to-back relegations, Brown was released at the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/retained-and-released-list-2024|title=Retained and Released List 2024|website=www.fgr.co.uk|date=30 April 2024|accessdate=30 April 2024}}

Brown made his first appearance for England's under-16 team on 25 November 2011, as a second-half substitute as England beat Scotland under-16s in the Victory Shield.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/england/All-Teams/Players/B/reece-brown-96 |title=Reece Brown (1996) |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227075018/http://www.thefa.com/england/All-Teams/Players/B/reece-brown-96 |archive-date=27 December 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u16s/News/match-centre/2011/ScotlandvEngland |title=Victory Shield clinched in style |first=James |last=Marshall |publisher=The Football Association |date=25 November 2011 |access-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120428064846/http://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u16s/News/match-centre/2011/ScotlandvEngland |archive-date=28 April 2012}} He played in three matches in the 2012 Montaigu Tournament, as England lost on penalties to Russia in the semi-final, but then beat France in the third-place playoff match.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7PM02rEQCw0C&pg=PA409 |title=Playfair Football Annual 2012–2013 |editor-first1=Glenda |editor-last1=Rollin |editor-first2=Jack |editor-last2=Rollin |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Headline |location=London |year=2012 |page=409 |isbn=978-0-7553-6357-5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mondial-football-montaigu.fr/index.php/files/137/Resultats/850/Challenge_Nations_2012.pdf |title=Challenge Nations 2012 |publisher=Mondial Football Montaigu |access-date=3 February 2017}} He scored on his under-17 debut, against Turkey on 31 August 2012, a 4–1 victory that he chose in 2013 as his most memorable match; according to the Football Association's website, "he broke through the heart of midfield with his electric pace, unleashing a thunderous shot into the bottom left hand corner leaving Akdag with no chance. It was a magnificent goal by the young speedster who produced a fantastic display all evening."{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u17s/News/match-centre/2012/englandvturkey |title=Second-half show for Lions |first=James |last=Marshall |publisher=The Football Association |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130917204048/http://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u17s/News/match-centre/2012/englandvturkey |archive-date=17 September 2013}} He played on the winning side in all three matches of England's qualifying group for the 2013 European Championships.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/teams/players/250056556--reece-brown/ |title=Under-17 – Reece Brown |publisher=UEFA |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=6 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028231106/http://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2013/teams/player=250056556/index.html |archive-date=28 October 2012}}

He was called up for an England under-18s training camp in November 2013,{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20131105-international-blues-1155792.aspx |title=International Blues |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=8 November 2013 |access-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204085158/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20131105-international-blues-1155792.aspx |archive-date=4 February 2017}} and made his debut at that level on 3 March 2014, as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 defeat to their Croatian counterparts in the first match of a double-header.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/Mar/03/england-under-18-2-1-croatia |title=England Under-18s rattled by Croatia comeback |first=Nicholas |last=Veevers |publisher=The Football Association |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=3 February 2017}}

Together with Birmingham teammate Demarai Gray, Brown was called up for the England under-20s' first matches of the 2015–16 season, a double-header against the Czech Republic.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/Aug/27/u20s-squad-named-for-czech-republic-270815 |title=England U20s squad selected ahead of Czech test |first=Nicholas |last=Veevers |publisher=The Football Association |date=27 August 2015 |access-date=3 February 2017}} In the first game, both Gray and Brown scored as England won 5–0;{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/Sep/05/u20s-czech-republic-sgp-050915 |title=England U20s kick-off with 5–0 win at St. George's Park |first=Nicholas |last=Veevers |publisher=The Football Association |date=5 September 2015 |access-date=3 February 2017}} in the second, Brown made a brief substitute appearance in a 1–0 defeat.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/Sep/07/england-u20s-czech-republic-match-report |title=England U20s fall to narrow defeat in Shrewsbury |first=James |last=Owens |publisher=The Football Association |date=7 September 2015 |access-date=3 February 2017}} Both retained their place in the squad for the Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup, a quadrangular tournament played in Germany in October. Although injury forced Gray's withdrawal, Brown started England's first game of the tournament and scored in the eighth minute, the first goal of a 3–1 win against the Netherlands.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/Sep/30/under-20s-squad-named-for-trip-to-germany-300915 |title=England U20s squad named for Mercedes Cup in Germany |first=Nicholas |last=Veevers |publisher=The Football Association |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=3 February 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/Oct/07/england-u20s-netherlands-report-071015 |title=England U20s make winning start over Holland in Germany |publisher=The Football Association |date=7 October 2015 |access-date=3 February 2017}}

{{updated|end of 2023–24 season}}

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Individual

• EFL League Two Player of the Month: March 2019
• EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year: 2018–19

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{{2018–19 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}}

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Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Dudley

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Birmingham City F.C. players

Category:Notts County F.C. players

Category:Chesterfield F.C. players

Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players

Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players

Category:Peterborough United F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:21st-century Black British people

Category:21st-century English sportsmen