Source: TheGuardian
Phil Brown shows class as Southend edge out Wycombe in play-off final
• Brown and counterpart Ainsworth hug after shootout drama• Former Hull manager is aiming for return to Premier League• Match report: Southend 1-1 Wycombe (Southend win 7-6 on pens)It was an act of solidarity that will live long in the memory. The sight of the Wycombe manager, Gareth Ainsworth, and his Southend counterpart, Phil Brown, holding hands and exchanging what the latter referred to as “man hugs” as their two sides slugged it out in the penalty shootout showed that, despite some reports to the contrary, football does still a heart.“I made a big point of standing next to Phil and saying, ‘I’m not going to celebrate every penalty that goes in. I’m not going to put that in your face’. He agreed he wouldn’t do that to me either,” explained Ainsworth. “We had a moment of respect on the halfway line because for 120 minutes of the game, we were in charge and involved in every kick but penalties are always a lottery. Phil gets some stick from various places but I respect him and he’s always been good to me.” Continue reading......read full article
