16 hours ago
Ciaron Brown on answering critics and questions in rise from non-league
CIARON Brown believes he has had to answer more critics and questions due to his less trodden route from non-league to professional football.
The 27-year-old defender arrived at Oxford United following earlier spells in non-league with Bedfont Sports and Wealdstone, plus a stint with Cardiff City in Sky Bet Championship.
It was only in January 2018 when Brown joined the Bluebirds that he was able to play professionally full-time, while he had three loan periods with Livingston and one with the U's prior to joining United on a permanent basis in June 2022.
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Brown said: 'Everyone's route is difficult, but I think I've had a lot more hurdles. Some people take a few games and prove that they're good, but for some reason, I have to play two and a half seasons to prove that I'm at this level.
'Coming the route that I've come, I've probably had more critics and maybe more questions on if I'm good enough or not.
'People from top academies apparently can always do it because they're from there or thereabouts.
'I always think there's a little chip on my shoulder where I've always got to prove 10 times more than everyone else what I can do at that level.
'The route I've taken is instilled in me. It's the way I know. When I wasn't in a professional club, I was probably doing more than what they were doing at a professional club because I was free all week, so I was doing everything I could possibly do to get where I am now.'
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He added: 'Some of the choices I've made throughout my career, like coming to Oxford, was a hard decision.
'As bad as it sounds, I was dropping a level, and at the time, I was nervous and I was like 'what happens if it doesn't work out?' but I always had that belief that I knew I was more than good enough in the Championship.
'I needed to pick a good place where I'm appreciated, I can work hard, get along with the boys, and just show my ability. It was a good decision because as soon as I came in, that's what I've done.
'Initially when I came on loan, I was out of the Cardiff squad and I wasn't in favour. I needed to play.
'I was in the last few months of my contract and I needed to play. Oxford came in, my agent said it's a good club, and I did well enough, and I knew I could do a lot better.
'I got a contract in the summer, I was comfortable, and I knew I could really push on.
'Throughout the whole journey I've been here, I've had different managers, different styles, different positions, and all of that probably helps in the long run in terms of me learning the game and showing my abilities.'
