bˈɔːɹn ɪn bɹˈɪstəl, bɹˈaʊn dʒˈɔɪnd hɪz lˈoʊkəl tˈiːm bɹˈɪstəl sˈɪɾi, æɾ ɐn ˈɜːli ˈeɪdʒ, bᵻkˈʌmɪŋ ɐ tɹˈeɪniː ænd tˈɜːnɪŋ pɹəfˈɛʃənəl ɪn ˈɔːɡəst nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti ˈeɪt.
Born in Bristol, Brown joined his local team Bristol City, at an early age, becoming a trainee and turning professional in August 1998.