Morton pay tribute as goalkeeper from title-winning squad dies aged 87
FORMER Greenock Morton goalkeeper Alex Brown has died at the age of 87.
Alex, who passed away on December 22, was one of the few remaining players from the celebrated Morton team of 1963/64.
He leaves behind his sons Alex and Tam, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Born in Methil, Fife, on August 15, 1937, Brown was the son of a professional footballer who played for St Johnstone.
Alex Brown starred in Morton's celebrated 1963-64 team. (Image: Niall McGilp/Greenock Morton FC) Following in his father's footsteps, he began his career at Lochgelly Albert Juniors before signing with Dundee United in August 1958 at the age of 21.
Over four seasons at Tannadice, he made 91 appearances, 42 of which were in the 1959/60 season, when the club gained promotion to Division One, an achievement he took great pride in.
In August 1962, Brown moved to Cappielow, where Morton manager Hal Stewart was constructing a promotion-capable squad.
Alex Brown and his Morton team-mates celebrate their 1963-64 Second Division title triumph. (Image: Niall McGilp/Greenock Morton FC) During the next two seasons, Brown played 61 matches for the club, achieving 21 clean sheets.
Morton narrowly missed out on promotion in Brown's debut season, finishing third and falling short by just one point.
However, the 1963/64 season proved successful for the club, with Brown playing a vital role.
The team reached the League Cup final and won the Second Division Championship with a record points total.
Morton beat Hibs in a Hampden replay to earn a place in the 1964 League Cup final. (Image: Niall McGilp/Greenock Morton FC) Brown was present in all 11 matches of the League Cup campaign, in which Morton topped their group with maximum points before triumphing over Motherwell in a two-legged quarter-final.
Stewart's men went on to defeat Hibernian in a replayed semi-final to secure a spot in the final at Hampden.
The final against Rangers, attended by a record 105,907 spectators, saw Morton perform commendably in the first half, with Brown making several notable saves.
Morton's 1963-64 squad, with Alex Brown in goal, is still fondly remembered by Ton supporters of a certain age. (Image: Niall McGilp/Greenock Morton FC) However, Rangers gained the upper hand in the second half, winning 5-0 - though the scoreline flattered the Ibrox club, with Morton's fighting spirit acknowledged in press reports of the time.
The final was the only match of the 25 Brown played in the 1963/64 season where he finished on the losing side.
With Erik Sorensen's arrival at Cappielow in March 1964, Brown was released at the end of the season, and subsequently moved to Raith Rovers for the 1964/65 campaign.
Morton won plenty of praise for their performance in the 1964 League Cup final against Rangers, despite losing the match 5-0. (Image: Niall McGilp/Greenock Morton FC) Though he initially planned to emigrate to Australia to take up a coaching role, he changed his mind and remained in Scotland.
He went on to have a successful coaching career at youth and amateur levels, all while working as a furnaceman in Leven.
Morton club historian Niall McGilp, in an article published on the club's official website, said: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time."
