Falcons decide against Brown contract option

Heading south? Mike Brown

MIKE Brown is set to face a decision about his future with Newcastle Falcons choosing not to take up a second year option on his contract.

The former England full-back, who will be 37 in September, left Harlequins in April 2021 after 16 years at the club and moved to the North East.

He was reported to have signed a twoyear deal with the Falcons, where he reunited with former Quins boss Dean Richards.

Quins’ all-time record appearance holder – who won 72 England caps – made his Falcons debut against Saracens at the start of the season and has been a regular in the team showing good form.

But Blindside sources say that the Falcons are letting him leave.

Brown was a member of the Quins side that beat Leicester in the 2012 Premiership final but missed last season’s win over Exeter after picking up a ban for stamping.

The son in law of ex-Arsenal and England striker Tony Woodcock could decide to play on for another season and look for a club close to his Surrey base.

Brown, who last year started a twoyear part-time Master of Sporting Directorship course at the Manchester Metropolitan University, is the director of a sports management firm.

He could decide to focus on that and become a player agent, which he cannot do as long as he is registered with a club.