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George Brann (23 April 1865 – 14 June 1954) was an English amateur and footballer who had a long career with Sussex County Cricket Club at the end of the 19th century, and played three matches for the England national football team.
Being an amateur, Brann was free to play for more than one club, and he joined the famous amateur club Corinthian in 1885. He made his first appearance for them in a 3–1 defeat against Preston North End on 28 November 1885. In the 1885–86 season he played eight times for Corinthian, in all five forward positions, scoring three goals.
In the 1885–86 FA Cup tournament, Brann was part of the Swifts team, together with Charlie & Arthur Bambridge who reached the sixth round stage, where they were eliminated by the Cup holders Blackburn Rovers.
His first England appearance came at Cathkin Park, Glasgow in a 1–1 draw against Scotland on 27 March 1886 Scotland 1 – England 1; 27 March 1886 (Match summary). Englandstats.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03. in the British Home Championship. England's goal was scored by fellow Corinthian Tinsley Lindley. Brann was retained for the next match against Wales two days later, and scored in a 3–1 victory. Wales 1 – England 3; 29 March 1886 (Match summary). Englandstats.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03.
His Corinthian appearances over the next few seasons were fairly infrequent, and he ended his career in 1893, having made 32 appearances, with eight goals.
He made his third, and final, England appearance against Wales on 7 March 1891 when he played on the right wing alongside professionals including Johnny Goodall, Jack Southworth, Alf Milward and Edgar Chadwick. England were too strong for the Welsh and won 4–1, with each of the other forwards scoring. England 4 – Wales 1; 7 March 1891 (Match summary). Englandstats.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03.
His highest first-class score was 161 against Cambridge University at Hove in 1899, Sussex v Cambridge University; June 1899 (Match summary). Cricketarchive.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03. although he did score 219 against Hampshire in a non-first-class match in June 1886. Sussex v Hampshire; June 1886 (Match summary). Cricketarchive.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03. In 1899 he and C. B. Fry opened the two Sussex innings against Middlesex at Lord's with partnerships of 135 and 148. Middlesex v Sussex; June 1899 (Match summary). Cricketarchive.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03.
In 1892 he enjoyed what was then the rare distinction of scoring two centuries in a match – 105 and 101 against Kent. Sussex v Kent; August 1892 (Match summary). Cricketarchive.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03. This had only been achieved previously by W. G. Grace (three times) and William Lambert, also of Sussex.
Brann went to Australia in 1887–88 as a member of Arthur Shrewsbury's Team, A Shrewsbury's XI in New Zealand 1887/88. cricketarchive.com visited South Africa under Walter Read in 1891–92 WW Read's XI in South Africa 1891/92. cricketarchive.com and America in 1899 when K. S. Ranjitsinhji was captain. KS Ranjitsinhji's XI in North America 1899. cricketarchive.com
According to his obituary in Wisden, he was "originally a very free batsman and powerful hitter, but forsook his dashing methods during his last few years of county cricket, and although becoming a far more watchful type of batsman he continued to make many runs". Obituaries in 1954. Espncricinfo
His last significant season was 1904, although his final first-class match for Sussex was against Cambridge University in June 1905. Sussex v Cambridge University; June 1905 (Match summary). Cricketarchive.com. Retrieved on 2018-05-03. In his first-class career, he scored a total of 11,205 runs at an average of 25.69, including twenty-five centuries for Sussex. Standing nearly six feet tall, he was also a fine fielder taking 145 catches during his career; as a fast bowler he claimed 69 wickets at an average of 44.31.
He was a career schoolteacher, teaching at his former school, Ardingly College.
He died at his home at Surbiton, Surrey, on 14 June 1954, aged 89.
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