John Brown (30 December 1947 – 16 May 2024) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Preston North End, Stockport County, Wigan Athletic and Macclesfield Town. In 1976, he signed for Wigan Athletic when they were still in the Northern Premier League and made 69 league appearances for the club before they were voted into the Football League. Brown was Wigan's first ever goalkeeper in the Football League and was the club's Player of the Year in 1980. He made a further 93 league appearances for the club before joining Macclesfield Town in 1982. Brown died on 16 May 2024, at the age of 76.