Rangers Legend’s Archive To Headline Sporting Auction

A rare Victory medal from 1946 is just one of the highlights in a remarkable auction of over 60 pieces of memorabilia associated with legendary Rangers goalkeeper and pioneering Scottish football manager Bobby Brown (1923-2020).

The archive - which is being sold by the late player’s family - will be offered as part ofthe Sporting Medals & Trophies, ft. The Bobby Brown Collection auction on 12th March, presenting what is believed to be one of the largest collections linked to a single player ever to come to auction in Scotland.

Leading the sale is an extremely rare Scottish Victory Cup winners gold medal, estimated at £3,000–£5,000. Struck in nine-carat gold, the medal commemorates the one-off competition held to celebrate the end of the Second World War, in which Rangers defeated Hibernian 3–1 at Hampden Park before a crowd of 100,000.

The auction will also include a Scottish League Champions gold medal awarded for three victorious seasons -1946/47, 1948/49 and 1949/50 - with an estimate of £2,000-£4,000. Another standout lot is Brown’s St. Johnstone Second Division League Winners gold medal from 1959/60, recognising his success as a manager, estimated at £500–£800.

Bobby Brown joined Rangers in 1946, where he became the final line of Bill Struth’s famed “Iron Curtain” defence. Across a decade at Ibrox he made 296 appearances, recorded 109 clean sheets, and played 179 consecutive league matches. His honours include three league titles, three Scottish Cups, two League Cups, and participation in the historic treble-winning 1948–49 season.

After retiring from playing, Brown forged an outstanding managerial career. He guided St Johnstone to promotion before becoming Scotland’s first full-time national team manager in 1967, beginning his tenure with a famous 3–2 victory over World Cup winners England at Wembley - a result that saw Scotland dubbed ‘unofficial world champions’. Brown was later inducted into both the Rangers Hall of Fame and the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

Commenting on the auction, Bobby Brown’s daughter, Gillian, said: “I was too young to see my father play, but I used to go to the games when he was a manager. The highlight was definitely the 1967 England v Scotland game at Wembley. It was an incredible atmosphere and I was allowed onto the pitch after the game to celebrate. I even managed to get a wee bit of turf to take home.

“My father was a perfectionist. He always gave 100% and expected 100% from his players in return. He was determined in everything he did, although off the pitch he was a very humble family man and never boasted about his achievements.

“We have had the collection in the family for many years and when I talked about it with my two sisters, we decided it was time to let it go and allow other football fans to get some enjoyment from these fantastic items.”

Bobby Brown’s Rangers Football Club Hall of Fame bronze trophy will also feature in the auction, with an estimate of £500 to £800, plus his Scottish international goalkeeper jersey worn against Ireland in the 1948/49 season (£500–£700), and a 1944 Royal Air Force v Scotland programme featuring notable signatures (£200–£300).

The remarkable group of items paints a detailed picture of Brown’s distinguished career, spanning his time as a decorated goalkeeper, respected manager, and influential figure in Scottish football. In addition to the above, the auction will include other medals, match-worn jerseys, historic programmes, and Hall of Fame memorabilia, alongside plaques and other artefacts from his years both on and off the pitch.

In addition to his time at Rangers, Brown played for Queen’s Park and Falkirk, and earned five full caps for Scotland, becoming the last amateur player to do so. After debuting for Queen’s Park against Celtic in 1940 at just 17, he served in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm during the war, representing Combined Services teams and appearing in several unofficial internationals.

Managing Director Brian Clements, added: “This is an exceptional and deeply personal collection that charts the career of one of Scotland’s most respected football figures. It is rare for such a comprehensive archive associated with a single player to come to market, and we expect significant interest from football fans, and sporting institutions alike.”

The Bobby Brown collection will be auctioned as part of the Sporting Medals & Trophies auction on 12th March.  

For a complimentary, no-obligation valuation, visit our Glasgow Galleries or contact a specialist on 0141 810 2880 or auction@mctears.co.uk.