Derek Brazil

Derek Brazil

Personal information
Full name	Derek Michael Brazil
Date of birth	(1968-12-14) 14 December 1968
Place of birth	Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Height
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Rivermount Boys
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1988–1992	Manchester United	2	(0)
1990	→ Oldham Athletic (loan)	1	(0)
1991	→ Swansea City (loan)	12	(1)
1992–1996	Cardiff City	115	(1)
1996–1998	Newport County	75	(8)
1998–1999	Inter Cardiff	16	(0)
1999–2000	Haverfordwest County	18	(2)
2000	Inter Cardiff	9	(0)
2000–2001	Haverfordwest County	24	(4)
International career
1986–1989	Republic of Ireland U21	7	(0)
1989–1990	Republic of Ireland U23	2	(0)
Managerial career
2006–2010	Haverfordwest County
2011	Haverfordwest County
2012–	Goytre United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Derek Michael Brazil (born 14 December 1968 in Dublin) is an Irish former footballer who played for the Republic of Ireland B team. A defender he began his career with Rivermount Boys Club before being signed by Manchester United where he played under both Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson, making two first team appearances against Everton and Millwall.

Raised in Finglas, the Brazil family were keen sportsmen. His father was a champion boxer and footballer. His younger brother Stephen won numerous titles with Home Farm and played League of Ireland for Bohs. However a knee injury ended his career prematurely. His brother Geoffrey, also played ball for Dunsink YC, but an Achilles tendon injury put him out of the game.

During his time at Old Trafford, he played on loan with Oldham Athletic and Swansea City before joining Cardiff City in 1992 for £85,000. Brazil then spent four years at Cardiff and was part of the side that won the division three title in 1993.

In October 2006 Brazil was appointed team manager of Haverfordwest. He was dismissed in November 2010 following disappointing results at the start of the 2010 season.

However, in a strange turn of events, his successor as manager, Gavin Chesterfield, resigned due to complicated work commitments. The Haverfordwest board were thus left with no alternative than to reinstate Brazil in late February 2011. Brazil expressed his amazement at his reinsation. Regarding the whole debacle, he added in a Western Telegraph article: "in hindsight, it was probably the right one for both parties. It has given me valuable time to spend with my family and I have certainly been able to recharge my batteries. I now feel determined and with unfinished business to complete I have much more to give as a manager." His second spell as manager of the club ended in May 2011 after the relegation of the club from the Welsh Premiership.

He also runs his own business teaching physical education and coaching football around the Cardiff area.

In July 2008, Brazil wore the United jersey again, when he took part in the Legends XI tournament in Northern Ireland. Brazil has enjoyed a successful career in football and is still playing today.

External links

• Derek Brazil at Welshpremier.com