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A super signing

Dave LAwrenson
12/ 6/2008

WHEN Bury manager Alan Knill recently stated that he had agreed terms with ‘a quality goalkeeper’ he was playing the situation down – for he had actually agreed terms with Superman.

Keeper Wayne Brown was given the Superman nickname by Hereford United’s supporters, who saw the 31-year-old keep 21 clean sheets last season.

He confirmed his status as one of the most highly-rated keepers in League Two football by finishing as runner-up to MK Dons’ Willy Gueret for the 2007/08 League Two Golden Glove award and by being named Hereford’s player of the season.

And, after Brown turned down a new one-year contract from promoted Hereford plus ‘better offers’ from other League Two clubs, Bury boss Knill admitted: "I don’t know how I’ve done it."

Southampton-born Brown, whose former clubs include Bristol City and Chester City, has committed to a two-year contract with the Shakers.

And his signing means that Bury are no longer interested in signing Darren Randolph from Charlton Athletic following his loan stint at the Gigg Lane club last season.

Knill said: "Wayne Brown is a great signing for us and, to be honest, it did come as a bit of a surprise. I got a phone call asking me if I would be interested in signing Wayne Brown. We needed a goalkeeper and the answer was ‘yes, definitely’.

"I’ve always liked him. He’s a steady keeper and you know what you are getting. His record last season was one of the best in the league with 21 clean sheets and if he can do the same for us next season then it will be excellent.

"It is a real coup for us. You look through the league and pick the goalkeepers out and Wayne would probably be in the top five.

"He’s just been promoted but he’s come back to League Two to join us.

"I don’t know how I’ve done it. I just told him the truth about what we are trying to do.

"I know he was impressed with the way we played against him last season. He understands and likes what we are trying to do here. He wants to be part of it.

"It is really good for us that we can attract a player like Wayne Brown. All of a sudden people will be saying ‘why has he gone to Bury?’

"We know why he’s coming. It’s because he is as ambitious as we are and I am absolutely delighted.

"Going for Darren Randolph is now dead. I won’t need Darren now and, to be fair, Darren wants to go and play at a higher level so good luck to him."