Phil Brown turned 54 today and the 'Orange One' has provided his many fans with some iconic moments since he managed Hull to promotion to the Premier League in 2008. It is not a stretch to suggest that Brown is one of the most ludicrous characters to ever grace English football.
1. The Half-Time Team Talk on The Pitch
Hull got off to a flying start in the first season in the Premier League with famous victories coming over Tottenham and Arsenal at the Emirates. After 9 games, Hull lay in third position behind only Liverpool and Arsenal on goal difference. That sort of form was never going to be sustainable for a promoted side but Brown's actions half-time against Manchester City in December probably contributed somewhat to his side's subsequent slump in form.
The Tigers were 4-0 nil down in Eastlands after a poor first half and Brown decided to give conduct his half-time team-talk on the pitch in front of the travelling fans. That Brown forgot to remove his headset before giving his players a dressing down only added to the ridiculous nature of the situation. Hull picked up a total of 8 points over the rest of the season.
2. Singing on Survival Sunday
Hull avoided relegation by a single point despite losing 1-0 to a Manchester United, thanks to losses by Middlesbrough and Newcastle. United had the league wrapped up and were preparing for the Champions' League final and put out a team that was barely even a second string with both Ritchie de Laet and Lee Martin starting.
Hull still could barely fashion a chance for a goal and United won easily through a Darron Gibson strike. Even such an anaemic performance could not quench Brown's enthusiasm as after the final whistle he took the microphone sang to the crowd at the KC stadium to the tune of 'Sloop John B'.
3. (Probably) Falsely Claiming He Had Stopped A Woman From Committing Suicide
Brown flippantly told reporters that he had talked a woman out of killing herself while on a team walk across the Humber Bridge in Hull. "Walked across there (the Humber Bridge) yesterday. We saved a girl actually. Considering her future, shall we say" and he had talked her out of it with some "sweet talk".
The Humber Bridge Board said were unaware of any such incident occurring and his own players didn't recall 'any woman'.
4. Saying Andrea Pirlo Was 'Homophobic' For Not Moving To England
We think he mixed up homophobic and xenophobic but with Brown one can never be too sure
http://youtu.be/qypfj0ndjTk
5. Comparing Being Called 'Sunbed' By Opposition Fans To Racism
The BBC made the mistake of getting Phil on to discuss racism in football in light of the row over John Terry and the Kick It Out campaign. Brown tied himself in knots wondering if the abuse he got for his suntan was similar to being racially abused.
