Here’s a fundamental question for which an instant answer will be given by every Manchester United fan. Who is the longest serving player at Old Trafford? The answer is Ryan Giggs of course who joined the club on July 9, 1990 and was followed a year later by Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. Who comes after that legendary trio may not be answered quite as quickly however, so when the name of Wes Brown is mentioned it’s not surprising that most would simply say ‘Oh yes, of course’.
Tough tackling, strong in the air and fast on the deck, Brown is one of England’s finest defenders. He’s not the most fortunate though. Surely his 347 club and 22 country appearance totals, while impressive, would be far higher had it not been for his awful luck with injuries.
Wes, who will turn 31 in October enjoyed arguably his best season in 2007/08 as a key member of Sir Alex’s miserly back four. Replacing the long term injured Gary Neville at right back, he played in more matches than any other player on the road to winning the Premier League and Champions League. Wes also enjoyed the personal fillip of a new four year contract in April 2008, signed almost ten years after his debut.
The World Cup hopeful has regained full fitness recently after being laid up again in the 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in March which will give him a chance of winning a spot in the England squad for South Africa but what does he get up to away from the pitch?
Fergie’s most naturally gifted defender has a £3.5m pad in Cheshire just yards away from team mate Wayne Rooney. The pair had their homes designed and built by Dawn Ward, wife of ex-Sheffield United star Ashley. Brown has 360 degree picture windows, a sound-proofed studio, a pool and an enormous bespoke chandelier.
Brown is married to Leanne Wassell with whom he lives in Alderley Edge, Cheshire with their two daughters, Halle and Lilia. Brown’s younger brother Reece, who has been at the Manchester United Academy since age 9, also plays at centre back and is a England U19 international.
Flash Brown has a £120,000, 911 Porsche Turbo wrapped in dark grey carbon fibre. He also does his rounds in a blue Bentley GT Continental worth around £140,000. Both are fully equipped with iPod docks to cater for the player’s hip hop obsession.
The Manchester United defender fancies himself as a bit of a card shark. He regularly gets involved in poker nights with close pals John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher and Chris Eagles. If it’s not cards for Wes, it’s cuisine with his family. He dines at Hale Bar and Grill and Italian restaurant Piccolino.
Like so many of his team-mates, Brown sports a stainless steel Rolex Daytona and used to enjoy the odd diamond earring or two. Now tattoos are more his bag. His favourite being the message ‘Life, Love and Loyalty’ which is strewn across the side of his torso. When it comes to clobber, Wes dons every brand under the sun including tried and trusted D&G, Gucci and Armani jeans and shirts.
Should the so called ‘Holy Trinity Mark2′ decide to call it a day at the end of their recently extended 12 month contracts – for which there is no guarantee, and providing Brown stays clear of long term injuries, he can look forward to assuming the mantle of Old Trafford’s new elder statesman at the end of next season.
Will Wes Brown remain a Manchester United one club man for the rest of his career?
I think he will be a one club man too. I believe it.