Brown happy to be back

Austin Brown, Dolphin of Port Harcourt first choice in the 2003 and close to a Super Eagles call up, injured his ankle in a freak injury in Dolphins’ last friendly match before the start of the 2004 football season against Bayelsa United.
"I was scared I would never return" Brown(right)

“It was almost the end of the game and I got a back pass that I did not clear out on time and as I tried to dribble the onrushing attacker, his foot launched out at my ankle and I immediately knew it was over for me.”

However, Brown returned in November 2004 with the reserve side of the club, Rivers United and was promptly registered after sterling performances in the clubs preseason tour of Eket and Kaduna.

“I thank God for my return because I was really scared that I may not return to the game,” Austin Brown told nigeriasports.com.

“When it happened I thought it would be an injury of, say, three months, but it continued to drag on and on and before I knew it the season was over.”

Thanks Rotimi and Ejoigu for their efforts

Brown made sure he thanked Sunday Rotimi and Chijioke Ejiogu for their goalkeeping heroics that ensured Dolphin won the league and cup double and a chance for him to play on the continent.

"Rotimi's heroics last season ensured I
still play in top flight now" Brown

“I am very happy for both of them. If they had not kept the balls out of our net, maybe my return would have been only to play in the league, but now I can also play on the continent.”

“The doctor who treated me asked that I stay away from women if I wanted my injury to heal fast and that is what I did. I also got serious with my prayers and I am really thankful I am back and have retained my number one shirt.

Since his return to the game, Austin Brown posted man of the match performances in all four games Dolphin has played this season, confining Chijioke Ejiogu and Uche Akubuike to the substitute’s bench.