Damien Brown, the Central Coast Mariners’ historic first signing, is eagerly anticipating his return to the nation’s capital and the challenge of ACT Premier League leaders Belconnen United this Saturday.

One of the star performers of the Mariners’ late season charge in 2006/07, Brown will make a fleeting return to his former residence on Saturday, having played for the now-defunct Canberra Cosmos during the 1997/98 National Soccer League season.

In such time, Brown contributed 16 appearances, 12 of which were from the bench, with his 89th minute winner against the Brisbane Strikers in Round 4 helping Canberra to one of only three wins that season.

Interestingly, Brown is one of only three members of the Mariners’ squad to have netted a goal in the nation’s capital previously.

Fellow Central Coast product Andrew Clark found the back of the net several times when playing for the Cosmos between 1998 and 2000, while Greg Owens was on target for Sydney Olympic at Bruce Stadium in December 2000.

"Pre-season so far has been really good, each training session has been intense and the boys are looking good," said Brown.

"It’s great for the coaching staff to have such a headache with so many players to choose from – that’s the kind of headaches that coaching staff like I’d say.

"Everyone’s looking really good, we don’t want to peak to early and say that we’re on fire, because that can work against you, we’re just keeping a low profile and working hard and hopefully it comes together on the field."

Belconnen United, the Mariners’ opponents on Saturday, are currently sitting atop of Canberra’s premier football competition – the ACT Premier League.

The ACT Premier League consists of nine teams, with Belconnen United featuring amongst their ranks prolific striker Daniel Macor, who has netted eleven times in nine matches this current campaign, and Matthew Grayson and David Leet, who were both members of Belconnen’s successful NSW Premier League campaign in 2003/04 – a campaign that saw the Blue Devils claim the Premiership trophy.

Belconnen regained the ACT Premier League lead last weekend following their 3-1 win over the O’Connor Knights – their sixth win of the season, which extends their unbeaten run to nearly two months having last been defeated in early May.

"I watched them a few weeks ago and they were unlucky not to win that day," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.

"They’re a very good team; a few years ago they were the champions of the NSW Premier League.

"Belconnen have put a lot of work into this match, and we’re looking forward to it."

The Mariners are in action this Saturday, 30 June, when they take on ACT Premier League side Belconnen United at the Belconnen Soccer Centre. Kick off is at 5.30pm.

Following the Mariners’ sojourn to the nation’s capital, Lawrie McKinna’s charges will take on recently crowned NSW Premier League Minor Premiers Blacktown City at the Fairfax Community Stadium on Saturday, 7 July. Kick off is at 5.30pm.