Fleetwood Town forward Pharrell Brown spoke to the media on Monday afternoon ahead of Tuesday’s Professional Development League fixture away at Sheffield United.
Brown joined Town from Manchester United after sixteen years at the Red Devils, and has since gone onto play crucial role in the Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup and most recently, the Under-21s in their league campaign – scoring in the 2-0 win away at Watford earlier this year.
The youngster signed his first professional contract in May and made his Fleetwood Town debut a few weeks before after coming on as a late substitute in the 5-2 win over Lancashire rivals, Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium.
Here’s what Brown had to say in his interview at Poolfoot Farm:
On the season so far…
“We started off in the league very well. Yes we’ve suffered two losses in recent weeks but overall we are still near the top of the league table and with it being a new league for us, we’ve done ourselves proud.
“There are better teams in this league, but I don’t think we as a group have surprised ourselves. We know deep down that we are good players, and I know we have players who work hard on and off the pitch.
“We knew it was going to be tough this season, we didn’t know what we were going to come up against, so it was important to be positive and hit the ground running and we did just that with the two wins over Cardiff and Watford.
“For me, I have done well in games. I have scored one and contributed in key areas up the pitch and for my position in attacking midfield, the wide areas or in midfield, I like to get in gaps and create chances and of course scoring goals so I hope to add more to my game.”
On his journey at Fleetwood…
“I came here as a first-year scholar from Manchester United and I was in and out the team due to picking up a few injuries. When it’s a new club, you want to play but the club did wonders with me and helped me get back out onto the pitch. I worked well with Gareth Piper [Head of Medical & Sports Science in the Academy] and he made sure I was happy off the pitch which is key as it can be hard watching teammates playing games and training.
“In the second year, I grew as a person on and off the pitch with the help of my teammates and also the coaches that were here. Without their support, I don’t think I would have been offered a professional contract and I would like to think I have started off well this season.
“The club weren’t sure at first about giving me a contract but I made sure I stayed focused and proved to the staff that I was deserved being given that contract. I know at times I can get frustrated with myself and others, but I overcame that and showed my leadership qualities, and from that had to work on my bad boy language shall we say.
"For me it’s my passion, I don’t like to lose and I want to help my team win by playing on the edge and that’s what my game is all about. I can be frustrated with my game despite the team winning, but I know I expect a lot from myself on and off the pitch.”
On that afternoon in Accrington making his first appearance...
“Looking back, the match against Accrington for the first team last season was a huge moment. I was sent off the week before for the Under-18s and without expecting it, I got told the first team needed a player and I was told to step up in training.
“I impressed the gaffer at the time [Scott Brown] in training, I scored a few goals and was then told I would be in the squad for the match at Accrington Stanley. It was such a proud moment for me and when I look back at that week, I wouldn’t have expected that to happen after being sent off earlier.
“My goal for this season is to continue working hard in training and keep impressing the new coaching staff in matches for the Under-12s, but we all know as players that the opportunities are there for players, but you need to work hard and be patient, but also be ready for when that call happens as you need to take it with both hands.”
With the Academy looking for sponsors for the 2023/24 season, why not sponsor Pharrell Brown – the young forward is available for an individual or business sponsor, which will see your profile on the official website. There will be opportunities to meet and greet Pharrell, with an invitation to the End of Season Awards Night at Highbury Stadium.
If you’re interested in being a sponsor, please contact our Commercial Manager, Sam Heaney via email at sam.heaney@fleetwoodtownfc.com.