his Gateshead debut on 6 October 2012 as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw against Hyde. He made his first start for Gateshead three days later in a 2–2 draw with Macclesfield Town. Brown scored his first goal for Gateshead on 22 February 2013 in the return game against Macclesfield Town. He made his 50th appearance for Gateshead on 11 January 2014, scoring in a 2–1 win over Nuneaton Town. Aged 27, Brown retired from professional football in November 2014 due to a persistent knee injury. Gateshead manager Gary Mills said of Brown's retirement: "I’m gutted for the player and the club and me as a manager that a player like him has left. It got the stage where enough was enough. We had a good session last Thursday and he was the best player – sticking the ball in the net, scoring goals you wouldn’t believe. On the Friday I’m thinking of him playing Saturday and he was unable to train because of his ankle. He would not be at Gateshead if it wasn’t for his injuries. With his desire to be a footballer and suffer those injuries is a shame. It’s a sad thing, but he is 27 and probably going on 47. I wish him all the best and hopefully enjoy his football." Following this, Brown played part-time for Whitby Town. In popular culture Jeff Stelling of Sky Sports, a Hartlepool fan, has been known to exclaim "I feel good!" when Brown scores for Hartlepool, a reference to the more famous James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)". Brown's goals on the opening day of the 2008/09 season against Colchester United led to Jeff Stelling revealing a James Brown singing and dancing doll toy with bobbing head singing "I feel good". In Stelling's book "Jelleyman's Thrown a Wobbly", Stelling reveals that a fan of the show had waited for 3 hours outside hospital which he was visiting for charity to present with the doll to be used whenever James Brown scored. Personal life Following his retirement from professional football, Brown started working as a driving instructor. Career statistics Club A. The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals in The Football League and Football Conference. B. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the FA Trophy, Football League Trophy and play-offs. Honours Club Hartlepool United Football League Two runners-up: 2006–07 References External links James Brown