"I have got on very well with Graham over the last two years," said Brown. "There have been one or two people that have had problems with Graham in the past but in football it is a volatile arena and you fall out with people from time to time. Proper men make up, have a beer after the game and just get on with it.
"We'll both be trying our hardest on Saturday, screaming abuse at each other but hopefully we'll be shaking hands at the end."
The comments are a far cry from those openly made by Brown in November 2003 on the eve of the Shots' trip to Broadhall Way. Then, the boss refused to hold back, saying: "I hope we go there and give them a right stuffing.
"I don't like Graham Westley and I never have done!"
After that meeting — which the Shots won 1-0 thanks to a Bradley Thomas header — Westley was surprisingly seen to be acting as the peacemaker, offering his hand to Brown in a mark of respect.
The two, since then, have spoken warmly about each other. Westley most notably highlighting his admiration for the Aldershot manager during an interview in the Non League Paper last year.
Not one for showing his emotions, Westley is a man that demands huge expectations, displaying a selfish streak where he looks out only for his results and focussing intently on his own problems.
At Stevenage there is no doubt he has assembled a talented squad — though at some cost — but Saturday's game will carry huge significance against a side that has had his number of late.
Two league victories last term were complemented by another hard-fought win at Stevenage back in August. Throw into the mix two further victories under Brown's management while Westley was at Farnborough — one a friendly and the other a Hampshire Senior Cup tie — and the Stevenage man's record against his old foe of late reads handsomely: Last five played — no wins, five defeats.
Stating the obvious, Stevenage need to be in the Play-offs. Too much money has been thrown at the club to ignore the prospect of the Football League. Indeed, after Westley's appointment in January 2003, chairman Phil Wallace stated his intentions firmly, saying that he wanted his man to take the club into the Football League. Three years in which to do so was the number mentioned by Wallace — in that case, you better get a move on Graham!
Helping Westley out in the dugout now is former Gravesend & Northfleet boss Andy Ford, a man who has of course achieved success on a shoe-string of a budget compared to that of his number one. His experience will be crucial to his boss — but more importantly, crucial to Stevenage's hope of promotion.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Steve Watson will be desperate to take on his former boss on Saturday.
Struggling with a groin pull that will require a further fitness test this week, Watson can only be rated as 50/50 but there will be fireworks if he plays.
Will Antwi has slightly more of a shot, and Ray Warburton will also be fit to play.
"With the two draws we have recently had in the league, the game against Stevenage will seem like do or die. As a manager you have to go for the three points in your home fixtures. They are the games we expect to win and if we can just win our home games between now and the end of the season, I think it will be enough."
With thanks to the Aldershot News.