A PROFESSIONAL footballer known to many as “the player’s player” has died at the age of 76.

Stanley Brown, from Lewes, was an English footballer who played for a number of clubs, including a brief spell at Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

The former wing half, who played in the Football League, died on Thursday, March 15.

Born in Lewes and living there for most of his life, Stan was educated in the town and went on to become captain of the Sussex Schoolboys football team.

He was raised as one of six brothers all with a love of football, with two others playing professionally, Alan for Brighton and Irvin for Bournemouth.

He made his professional debut for Fulham on January 27, 1961, joining the club straight after finishing school in 1958.

Stan played for the club a total of 397 times, placing him in the top 10 for the number of post war appearances for the side.

He scored 16 goals for Fulham and played for the side when they finished as runners-up in the Football League Third Division for the 1970-71 season.

In a testimonial to Stan in 1970, World Cup winning teammate George Cohen gave him the name “the player’s player”.

Stan played for Albion in 1972, making nine appearances for the club on loan.

After his brief stint being cheered on by Seagulls fans at the Goldstone Ground, he went on to play for Colchester for a season and then made 15 appearances for Wimbledon between 1973 and 1974.

Following his career as a professional footballer, Stan still continued to exercise his love for the sport, playing in the Sussex County Football League.

During his time in the league, he made appearances for Haywards Heath, Ringmer and Burgess Hill and also represented the county at a senior level.

He helped to nurture young talent in the county, coaching junior football teams Lewes Bridge View and Ringmer Rovers.

He was responsible for setting up and organising the Lewes Saturday Soccer School, remaining in charge of for many years, teaching youngsters how to play with the same level of passion he did.

Many of the children he coached have now gone on to play the sport at various levels.

Stan’s funeral will be held at Southover Church in Lewes on Tuesday, April 10 at 12.30pm.

Family and friends will then attend a committal service at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton.