Who is Rovers Hero Jason Brown?

Jason Brown made himself an instant Blackburn Rovers hero with his second half performance against Wigan Athletic as substitute for Rovers in place of the injured Brad Friedel on Sunday.

Following Ex Ewood Residents article on Brown here is one I'd also prepared earlier (he would get in there before and submit one for posting before I could get this one on!) But a player can never get too much praise, especially when they've more than earned it.

Welsh International Brown had to be called into action in place of Friedel at half time with the former American International having to come off with an injured groin. He would make some fine saves; also saving Svetoslav Todorov`s penalty, his subsequent follow up and that follow up's follow up! Mark Hughes would rightly give him praise:

"Jason came in and did exceptionally well. It was a great debut.

"He has great confidence and feels he can make it at the top - and you would not argue on that display."

But who exactly is Jason Brown, the man who arrived for free from Gillingham in the summer?

Full Name: Jason Brown
Date of Birth: 18th May 1982, London
Nationality: Welsh
Position: Goalkeeper
Squad Number: 23
Internationals: Capped at Full level for Wales
Signed: June 2006
Previous Clubs: Charlton Athletic & Gillingham

Jason Brown began his career with Charlton Athletic, coming through the clubs youth system, but after failing to make the break through at the Valley sought first team football elsewhere in the shape of Gillingham in 2002.

Initially back-up for former Arsenal goalkeeper Vince Bartram he would claim the number one jersey and hold it for the remainder of the 2001-2002 season. The 2002-2003 season saw him firmly established as Gillingham's number one, also seeing him gain International recognition with Wales at under 21 level.

The following two seasons would see action limited for Brown as injury and poor form restricted his progress. However, having been relegated the previous season Brown would start the 2005-2006 season again as the top man. His form that season earned him his first full International call-up for Wales as he was voted the Gillingham fans Player of the Year.

Brown won his first Welsh cap against Trinidad & Tobago on May 27th 2006; he would sign for Rovers a month later, at the end of June.

The Welshman is small in goalkeeping terms, but his shot-stopping ability is superb. Brown looks likely to be the clubs number two, but will almost certainly be the long term replacement for Brad Friedel.

At the start of both halves of each match he plays, Brown performs a ritual of resting his head against each of his posts in turn, with his eyes closed and his hands in front of him as if in prayer. (Which you may have noticed him peform on Sunday?)

He is certainly a man rated very highly by all connected to Rovers, and although only one performance you can see why. Our friends at Vital Gillingham also have nothing but good words to say on him, even posting this article on the Gillingham site, click here to see it

As well as this article a couple of Gills fans would also post comments in the forum, including JonP, who said this:

"Great to see the lad finally get on today... And I see he didn't do too bad either...

"An absolute class act for Gills, sorely missed and he's shown you lot why..."

Brown looks set for a big future, and although this will take time he'll be worth it. He already has many fans at Gillingham with many more now at Rovers, were they not already before Sunday.

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