Born in Edinburgh, Brown began his career with Scottish junior club Dunbar United. He earned a move to English Football League side Colchester United in 1962 where he made one league appearance for the U"son He made his debut for Colchester in the League Cup during a 2–0 second round defeat at Northampton Town on 26 September 1962.
Following this came his league debut and solitary appearance at Layer Road, a 1–1 draw with Halifax Town on 27 October, and his final appearance came in the subsequent game, an FA Cup tie with non-league Wimbledon in the first round that ended in a 2–1 defeat. After leaving Colchester, Brown returned to Scotland to play for Stenhousemuir, and later moved to Australia to play for George Cross.
