John Brown was a Scottish professional footballer who played as an outside forward. Despite hailing from Glasgow, he started his career with Broxburn, near Edinburgh, and later played for Armadale in the Scottish Football League Second Division. He returned to his birthplace to join Shawfield, before re-entering League football with East Stirlingshire in August 1921. After a trial spell with St Johnstone, Brown found himself with Brechin City in the Scottish Third Division. In 1925, he was signed by First Division outfit Morton, and in a single season with the club he netted 7 goals in 21 first-team appearances.