Brown grateful for fresh start at Peterborough Sports

Phil Brown began his managerial career at Derby County 20 years ago

Phil Brown is relishing being back in football after being "knocked sideways" by his dismissal from the manager's job at Kidderminster Harriers.

The 66-year-old was appointed by struggling National League North side Peterborough Sports last month and achieved his first league victory on Saturday - against Kidderminster.

It lifted The Turbines, who are owned by local businessman Tim Woodward, off the bottom of the table and provided a big lift following a 4-1 FA Cup final qualifying round defeat by Harborough Town from a tier below seven days earlier.

"The second part of my family life is who I represent as a manager and at the moment, it's Peterborough Sports," Brown told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"I was relieved of my duties (at Kidderminster) at the end of last season with a 55% win ratio and I just couldn't work it out - it knocked me sideways.

"I've been in this game a long time and to have a 55% win ratio, normally doesn't just keep you in work, it wins things."

Kidderminster were top of the table ahead of their final game of 2024-25, but lost 2-1 at Southport, allowing Brackley Town to pip them to the title.

They had a second chance at promotion via the play-offs, but were beaten 2-1 at home by Chester, a defeat which cost Brown his job.

"Tim Woodward came knocking, did I want to jump straight back in? (I thought) Is this a project that could work? Is this something that appeals to me challenge-wise? It was all of the above and to have Kiddy in town as early as that and win the game was great for me personally but the players deserve all the credit, it could have been more than 2-1," he said of Saturday's game.

Brown's managerial career began at Derby County and has also taken him to Hull City, Preston North End, Southend United, Swindon Town, Barrow and a spell with Hyderabad in Indian football.

He is now, though, having to deal with a very different financial situation after replacing co-managers Luke Steele and Michael Gash at Sports.

"They only get paid for Tuesday and Thursday nights and playing on a Saturday but some of them are not playing on a Saturday so what do they get paid for?" Brown added.

"Balancing the books is part and parcel of what I've got to do, which I've never really had to do before.

"I have to understand it's a one man band and he seems to be putting his money where his mouth is. I'm right behind that 100% and hopefully we can get a tune out of a group of players, that's all I'm after, that's all I want to do."