He went straight into the first team, making his debut at Vale Park in a 2-1 win over Southport on 20 August.
Unable to overcome a back injury, he was given a free transfer in June 1989, having made 100 club appearances in all competitions at Vale Park.
The pair returned to The Hawthorns after the loan spell ended, with Brown having made four substitute appearances at Vale Park.
He played a number of reserve games, but never made a matchday squad at Vale Park before his loan spell ended in January.
He made his debut from the bench at Vale Park on 17 November, replacing Rob Taylor 74 minutes into a 2-2 draw with York City.
He scored three goals in 42 appearances in the 1965-66 campaign, but made just 11 appearances at Vale Park in the 1966-67 season.
He made his debut at Vale Park as a 68th minute substitute for Robin Berntsen on 14 November, in a 2-0 defeat to Sunderland.
He made his long-awaited league debut at Vale Park four days later, replacing Chris Shuker 79 minutes into a 3-0 win over Barnet.
He never made the first team at Vale Park and was sold on to Shamrock Rovers for £12,500 in November 1990.
He made his Second Division debut at Vale Park under Brian Horton, in a 4-2 win over Notts County on 11 August 2001.