Stuart and Brad Clyde have accepted an invitation from Raiders coach David Furner to be present during the final minutes of Canberra's preparation against the Roosters today, part of Furner's plan to reunite club legends and inspire his current squad of youngsters.

The Sunday Canberra Times can reveal that Laurie Daley, Jason Croker, Simon Woolford, Alan Tongue, Mal Meninga, Gary Belcher, Steve Walters and Gary Coyne are among the list of legends who have already been welcomed back into the Raiders' inner sanctum this season.

But it will be a particularly big moment for Stuart to walk through Canberra's door this afternoon, 14 years after leaving the club in acrimonious circumstances.

Key members of Canberra's glory years, which included three premierships between 1989-1994, Stuart and Clyde were both controversially forced out of the Raiders to the Bulldogs after the 1998 season.

Asked when he'd last stepped foot in a Raiders changeroom, Stuart quipped ''look up the last time I played''.

''I don't want to go back over old ground that disappointed me, but the manner in which Brad and I had to leave the club left a sour taste in my mouth for a number of years,'' Stuart, who played 203 games for the Raiders, said.

''But management has changed, I've let that roll by.

''I spoke to Mal and David during the week, I think it's a great idea to show the players of today that the ex-players who've been there before them do care.

''I'm just showing them that I genuinely care for the club. To be quite honest I'm looking forward to it.''

Adding more significance to Stuart's reunion is that he will choose to be in Canberra's room, opposite the club he coached to a premiership.

Stuart led the Roosters to three consecutive grand finals, including a title in his rookie 2002 season.

Sacked by the Roosters towards the end of 2006, Stuart said there was no dilemma choosing the Raiders over the home side today.

''I'm always going to have a soft spot for Canberra in regard to my years there,'' Stuart, raised in Queanbeyan, said. ''I do have a good friendship with [Roosters chairman] Nick Politis and the opportunity he gave me to coach there was appreciated. But I've got no ties to the Roosters now.''

Furner is working towards formalising a club for past players. The group, to be known as the Vikings, would be supported by members of the business community and provide mentoring to current players.

Stuart has initiated a similar concept in his role as NSW Blues coach and he endorsed Furner's idea.

''It's great,'' Stuart said. ''To be quite honest, I was down at a [Raiders 30-year] reunion 12 months ago and I thought it lacked a bit of love and spirit. I think it's important to get that into any team and this is the best way to do it.

''It's a very unique club, the Raiders, it's had some of the best players in the game play for it - Mal, Laurie, [Glenn] Lazarus, Clyde, Walters, Belcher, you name them. I know all the ex-players are very passionate about the club and are genuinely loyal about the club and it's great they've been asked back.''

Furner's invitation to Stuart shows his lack of concern for rumours that his own job is under pressure and Stuart is in line to replace him.

Stuart publicly backed Furner to take over the Raiders job when Matt Elliott left the club.

''I've always supported him, that's never been an issue,'' Stuart said. ''Speculation never concerns me.''