Women's football: Jason Brown lands Arsenal Ladies goalkeeper coach role

Former Wales international Jason Brown admits the chance to join Arsenal Ladies as first-team goalkeeping coach was too good an offer to resist.

The ex-Blackburn and Aberdeen goalkeeper, who now plays for Conference side Dartford, has made no secret of his coaching aspirations and is currently undertaking his UEFA A License.

And the 32-year-old, who is also coaching at Millwall’s academy, is looking forward to furthering his development with England’s most successful women’s football team.

“I will be starting officially when Arsenal Ladies are back for pre-season in January some time but I can’t wait to get going,” Brown told Sky Sports News HQ.

“In terms of learning and in terms of progression for me as a coach, this role was way too good to turn down and I feel privileged and honoured to have been chosen to do this.

“I’m very grateful to be part of such a prestigious close-knit family club and I know there are other coaches there that I can lean on and pick up some know-how from.

“Purely and simply, working at the most successful women’s football club in this country is too good an opportunity to pass by.”

An up-and-down season for Arsenal saw them win the Women’s FA Cup, lose to Manchester City in the Continental Cup final and finish fourth in FA Women’s Super League 1.

Former manager Shelley Kerr departed the club after the FA Cup win over Everton and Spaniard Pedro Martinez Losa was appointed her permanent successor, taking charge of the last four matches of the season.

“I’ve met Pedro and had a number of conversations with him and he’s a great coach with a great CV,” Brown said.

“He’s coached in America, at Real Madrid and at some of the biggest clubs in the world and he’s someone I definitely feel I can learn from.

“It will be great for me to work alongside a progressive forward-thinking coach like him as well as the other coaches at the club to get Arsenal Ladies back up where they should be.”

Brown is also looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Arsenal goalkeepers Emma Byrne and Siobhan Chamberlain.

“There are some very talented players there at Arsenal and I have been very fortunate to have worked in the past with the two goalkeepers Siobhan and Emma,” he said.

“They were very good and they wouldn’t look out of place training alongside some of the men.”