Geoff Brown bows out with a parting shot at ‘sad’ state of Scottish game

GEOFF Brown sprang a surprise after unveiling Steve Lomas as the new manager of St Johnstone yesterday by announcing he was stepping down as chairman of the Perth club after a 25-year reign.

He will be succeeded by his son, Steve, who was involved in this week’s recruitment process.

Brown rode to Saints’ rescue in 1986 when they were teetering on the verge of bankruptcy at ramshackle Muirton Park and bows out with the Perth club fourth in the SPL, having relocated to the all-seated McDiarmid Park in 1989.

But, while he leave Saints in sound shape, he winces as he casts an eye at troubled giants such as Rangers and Hearts.

Unveiling Lomas as the successor to Derek McInnes, Brown handed over the reins to son Steve and said: “The timing felt right. It is an emotional decision but not a difficult decision.

“You have to ask yourself: ‘Where can I take the football club now?’ I have stood back to let my son and vice-chairman Steve go on the SPL board and that kind of stuff.

“If you are going to be there you must have the energy to do that sort of thing.

“We are sitting on a high. I don’t think we’ve ever been in a better position at this time in the season so, hard lines guys, I’m taking the glory!

“I’m off the board. There’s no point in people looking over their shoulders because it will be a case of ‘what does he think’. But I will still be at the football. I don’t think my wife Joyce would want me at home on Saturdays!”

He recalled taking over a club in crisis and they had dropped to 38th overall in Scottish football when he took command.

But he admitted: “The financial state of Scottish football right now saddens me. It is ridiculous and completely out of control.

“Really, it goes back to the Sky money going into the English Premier League and people trying to compete.

“From where I was in ’86 and now, things have got worse rather than better.

“I’ve seen a number of guys go and waste their money. It never ceases to amaze me how people think they can come into football and not run it as a proper business. Two and two are the basics.”

Brown is happy to hand over the reigns to his son, and it is not expected that there will be any significant changes to the way Brown senior has run the club during his long tenure.

He said: “I have stated through this process that I would consult the board and make sure the board was happy with the appointment.

“I have now decided that, as of today, I will stand down as chairman. Steve will be my successor.

“The manager will have a one-to-one relationship with Steve. I have never been a believer in committees and boards.

“I believe in one-to-one relationships and I believe St Johnstone have done well with that in the past.”