So, another roller-coaster season comes to end, and what a ride we have had. Some massive highs and just a smattering of lows, one very low actually on the Plastic pitch at Hyde United. But overall I’d say this was possibly the best and most successful season in the clubs history, others may disagree, but I believe the standard of football played at this level now, is light years ahead of were it was fifteen to twenty years ago. The season ended I suppose in ultimate disappointment but in truth we have nothing to be disappointed about. It’s been a blast, read on – and see if you can get to the end. !!


The season began in earnest back in August 2022 with a trip to Stafford Rangers on a day when the thermometer touched 33 degrees at kick off time. Thoughts amongst the travelling Brig faithful were mixed. Having finished just one point shy of a play off place last season, Could Brig rise to the challenge and go one better or would we now be a known entity and find it all just a step too far. Brig took the lead on the day, before falling to a 4-2 defeat against a very strong looking Rangers side. The first goal of the season was scored by Fin Sinclair-Smith and it was a beauty. Fin went on to have a goal of the season competition all by himself. Although he was challenged with an absolute thunder bolt from Luke Mariette later in the season.


Two home games followed at home to newly promoted Marske United and Liversedge respectively. Both games ending as 2-2 draws. The Liversedge result being harder to take as the visitors from Huddersfield grabbed two very late goals to take a point. Next up was trip to another newly promoted side in Warrington Rylands. A Tuesday night trip to a new ground, the game was as flat as a pancake and looked to be heading for a goalless draw when two late goals sealed the points for the Cheshire side leaving The Briggers still in search of the first victory of the season. Thoughts perhaps reasonably now leaning towards this being a tougher season than the last. That elusive first victory was to come however just 5 days later when FC United of Manchester rolled into Bamber Bridge. A 2-1 victory for Brig with goals from Fin and Aaron Skinner in front of a healthy 678 crowd got the ball rolling for the season. The month of August ended with a trip to another new side to the NPL in Guiseley, relegated from The National League North. A much more confident Brig side came away with a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Pondy thunderbolt from about 4 yards !!

Guiseley Club House

Guiseley FC Stadium

With August, being a slow burner, but ending strongly, we moved into September and the 1^st Qualifying round of the FA Cup. The visitors were Whickham from the North East, playing at a level two divisions below Brig, but they put up a tremendous fight before going down 1-0 in the 97^th minute, Fin grabbing the goal to send Brig through to the next round. Back to League action and Marine where the next visitors to Irongate, this fixture meaning Brig had played 5 of the 6 new clubs in the Division in the last 6 league fixtures. The Merseyside visitors took home a point from a 1-1 draw. A local-ish away trip to Stalybridge Celtic on a Tuesday night was next. A saved first half Brig penalty gave the hosts a lift, but the match looked destined to be goalless until a contentious referring decision cost Brig the points. A lunge at Churchy left the Brig full back with a fractured ankle, the referee waved play on with the Brig defender flat out on the ground clealry in agony, The Celts swept to the other end and a low shot from the edge of the box took the points for the home side.


September continued, with an FA Cup 2^nd Qualifying Round trip to Old Rivals Prescott Cables from the Division below. A minutes silence pre-match for the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters. Goalscoring machine Pondy opened the scoring for Brig with a close range effort. An equaliser arrived for Prescott on the stroke of half time, and another disputed goal, Did it cross the line? Brig players claimed it didn’t but Cables went into the break all square at 1-1. Fin restored Brig’s lead midway through the second half, the goal enough to send The Briggers through to the 3^rd qualifying round for the first time in 7 seasons. Belper Town arrived at Irongate to complete Septembers run of fixtures with Brig putting in their best performance of the season to date, running out as 5-1 victors. The last game of September and Warrington Town were the visitors to Irongate, An exhilarating game ended with a 3-2 Bamber Bridge victory, goals from Macca, Paul Dawson and of course Nathan “Haaland” Pond securing the vital 3 points.



Into October now and after a slow start the Bamber Bridge campaign was beginning to show momentum with the club currently just outside the play off positions on 15 points from the first 10 games. The 3^rd Qualifying Round of The FA Cup gave us a difficult looking home tie against National league North, Buxton FC, and so it turned out. The Derbyshire side ending Brig’s FA cup run with a convincing 3-0 victory. But the next game was just around the corner and it being a Tuesday night, were else but a trip to the North East, the furthest away trip of the season in fact to Morpeth Town, located somewhere just South of the Arctic Circle !! Well actually just North of Newcastle but far enough with a round trip of 316 miles. The 4 (FOUR) Brig fans behind the goal were rewarded with a late equaliser from Fin as he received a Thommo pass, swivelled with a “Cruyff Turn” (Google it if your under 40) before planting the ball in the back of the net. It didn’t take him long to high five the entire visiting support in celebration !!


Next up for Brig was somewhat of a surreal experience as we travelled to Macclesfield for an FA Trophy 3^rd Qualifying round tie. The Moss Rose side sitting top of the Division below already looking like they were going up as Champions. The stadium, looking miles better than my last visit when they were in the Football League and average crowds in excess of 4,000 turning up to watch 8^th Tier Football. Amazing really. Brig supporters were to be segregated in a corner of the stand with no bar access…...What ?????, anyway the stewards relented when they realised we weren’t likely to go on the rampage. They have one mighty impressive set up under the main stand. Their team isn’t half bad either as they demolished Brig 6-1.



Still in October, and after some long distance travelling it was nice to have two home games on the bounce. Nantwich Town arrived and were dispatched 1-0 with a Harry Scarborough goal claiming all the points. Then a top 5 clash as 5^th placed Brig took on 4^th placed Hyde United. Conor Stanley this time grabbing the winner moving Brig up to 4^th in the table. The long (7 match) month of October continued with another long trip, this time to Lincolnshire to face Gainsborough Trinity, never the best of hunting grounds in recent times for the Irongate side but this time goals from Conor, and that man Pondy again secured a 3^rd win on the spin and pushed Bamber Bridge up to 2^nd in the NPL Table.


The 7^th and last game of October was something of a sobering experience, having played and beaten Hyde United at home just 11 days earlier, hopes were high of Brig cementing their 2^nd place position in the table. Well I spoke at the beginning of highs and lows, this was without doubt, a low, Brig found themselves 4-0 down at the break and went on to receive a 7-0 tonking from Hyde as they leapfrogged in to 2^nd place.


Three days later and into November, It’s Tuesday night and we’re off up to the North East again, this time Whitby Town, just one day it would be nice to play here when it isn’t freezing cold, dark and lashing down. Anyway, a shell shocked Bridge conceded in the first minute and two more followed before half time. A penalty early in the 2^nd half gave Brig the chance to claw their way back into the match but it struck the post and that was the end of that. Radcliffe arrived at Irongate the following Saturday and left with all 3 points with a 3-1 win. Had the wheels come off. Oh we have little faith !!


A local trip to Atherton Collieries and Brig were back to winning ways, the now customary 20 yard super strike from Fin was followed by goals from Rhys and Isaac to give Brig a 3-0 victory and put to bed the bogey ground issue that The Skuna Stadium had become. Another short trip to Ashton United followed. Ashton had pulled off something of a great publicity stunt by putting in a loan request to Manchester City for Erling Haaland !! The Norwegian not being involved in the World Cup and having a month off. The “stunt” brought National publicity for the Robins and a plethora of Haaland face masks were spotted around the ground. However hopes were high as Brig were playing well and on top when young PNE loanee Dana Amaral on loan to Ashton picked up the ball 35 yards from goal, strode forward and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Two more goals followed leaving Brig with another heavy defeat and a rapidly decreasing goal difference. This despite them being the better team on the day.


A late Tuesday night trip to – Yep, you’ve guessed it – The North East and South Shields, another 300 mile round trip and depleted squad, to the extent that Brig could only name 2 substitutes. Three away trips totalling over 1,000 miles of travel in November had taken it’s toll on player availability due to work commitments, injuries and suspensions. Bamber Bridge put in a tireless display and fought to the end, but Champions elect South Shields chose this night to produce their best performance of the season (The home support stressed this to us post match) and ran out comfortable 5-0 victors. As is usual on our trips to this fabulous football club. The home supporters didn’t gloat one bit and were completely gracious in their victory. There are a few clubs in the NPL with supporters who should take note of this. Shields subsequent and deserved promotion as Champions will leave a big hole in our travels next season.


Bamber Bridge were to bounce back in tremendous style however and with Play off chasing Matlock Town the next visitors to Irongate. With Brig having fallen out of the play off picture, another tough encounter was envisaged. Brig turned on the style and produced their own performance of the season demolishing the Derbyshire side 5-1 With Harry Scarborough and Donovan Lescott both bagging twice and Fin rounding up the 5 goal haul. A 1-0 away victory at Lancaster City in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy ended a mixed bag of results for November.


December arrived and having played seven matches in both October and November, there were to be only two this month. A 2-1 Victory at relegation threatened Marske United, located Surprisingly enough in the North East, just outside Middlesborough !! The victory came courtesy of two converted spot kicks from Macca. The victory was followed with a creditable 1-1 draw at The Giant Axe against The Dolly Blues of Lancaster City, Sheldon Green grabbing the Brig goal following a great team move. The game was probably more memorable though for an astonishing piece of inept refereeing. Paul Dawson being sent off and trudging down the tunnel before the referee decided he hadn’t meant to send him off. Macca had to run into the changing rooms to bring him back.!! This game brought the year to an end with Brig sitting in the top half of the League table and still well in touching distance of the play off spots.



The New Year of 2023 arrived and January was the month when it all began to click as Brig went on a superb winning run. A four game salvo earned 12 points. Guiseley were dispatched 2-1 at home, Vaughn Green and Daws, the scorers before one of the most memorable games of the season took us to Marine on a freezing cold day of wind, snow, hail and ice. With Blackburn Rovers loanee keeper Felix Goddard having to go back to to his parent club following an injury, Millie turned to Bolton Wanderers and brought in Luke Hutchinson on loan. Despite the atrocious weather both sides put on a terrific game of football, Brig had played well in the first half but found themselves two down at the break. Until we swapped ends at half time, we hadn’t realised just how strong the wind had been in favour of Marine in the first half, Well now it was behind Brig and just 10 minutes into the 2^nd period Harry Scarborough pulled one back with a 20 yard daisy cutter. Just 10 minutes later and Brig had turned it right around, two trademark super strikes from distance form Fin Sinclair-Smith helping Brig on to a superb and well earned 3 points and pushing us back up into the top 5
January was completed with home victories against Warrington Rylands, Thommo grabbing the only goal of the game and a 2-0 away win at Belper Town with two more absolute stunners from Fin, the first a definite goal of the season contender, a controlled volley from outside the penalty area over the head of the stranded keeper. Also at this point a mention for Belper Town. Sadly relegated now, but what a great visit, on a par with South Shields for the friendliness of the welcome and a lovely Town and ground to visit. I hope they make a swift return.


February brought us 5 matches, Two home games against Stalybridge Celtic and Gainsborough Trinity both ended 1-1 and then a 2-0 defeat at Radcliffe on a day most Brig fans will be glad to forget and not so much for the defeat on the pitch. The home support on the day were by far and away the most aggressive “Fans” I have encountered in many seasons of following Bamber Bridge and indeed non League Football. February ended with two victories, at home to Atherton Colls (2-0 ) and away at Liversedge (2-1). Fin and Daws grabbing a goal apiece in both games.

March arrived, the better weather didn’t and Brig travelled to Warrington Town in another top 4 clash. The home side found themselves reduced to 10 men in the first minute for a reckless lunge on Daws. However despite the one man advantage, Brig never reached the heights and the hosts grabbed the only goal of the game to take all the points. This was thankfully just a blip against another team we always struggle against away (As was to prove on May 1^st !)


Stafford Rangers rocked up at Irongate and two more Fin goals, one from the spot gave Brig a 2-1 victory, then Whitby Town were defeated by the same scoreline, North End Loanee Fin Cross-Adair grabbing his first goal for Bamber Bridge and another Fin spot kick completing the scoring. The last match of February took us to Cheshire and Nantwich Town, themselves desperate for the points in their relegation battle Brig took all 3 points with another Fin wonder strike, receiving the ball wide right of the box, he flicked the ball up before striking a superb serving volley across goal in the to corner of the net. A goal worthy of winning any game, and goal of the season for me.


Into April now and the “thick end” of the season with every point vital in pursuit of a top 3 finish. The game of the season was upon us. South Shields at the top of the League but suffering a bit of a wobble of late and Bamber Bridge in 2^nd place, 12 points behind but with a game in hand. What a match. Paul Dawson had given Brig the lead in the 15^th minute with a great strike, Shields equalised mid way through the second and then Brig were reduced to 10 men (Not unusual to be fair), and The Visitors sensed victory. Brig looked to be holding on for a point when in the 4^th minute of added time Fin Sinclair-Smith burst through the centre of the shields defence before being tripped on the edge of the box. Fin got up, dusted himself down, Eyed up the defensive wall and smashed an unstoppable shot over it and into the roof of the net. The roar from the fans behind the goal was as loud as any I’ve ever heard at Irongate and Brig had snatched all 3 points to leave us 9 points off the top with a game in hand. Could we do it, could we catch Shields? Well they were sure as hell going to give it a go.


A 1-0 home victory over Morpeth Town followed, Thommo striking the winner before an impromptu 5-2 defeat at FC United probably ended the title challenge, especially with South Shields having corrected their wobble and won their next two games following the defeat to Brig. The game memorable for a superb edge of the box volley from Luke Mariette in to the roof of the net that had given Brig an early lead. Next up, Lancaster City provided the opposition at Irongate and can probably count themselves unlucky not to have got anything from the game. Fin Cross-Adair and Daws, grabbing the goals to keep Brig in 2^nd spot.
The last away game of the season took us to another Old favourite, Matlock Town, another terrific Town and ground to visit with friendly and welcoming supporters. Beer festival on the day of our visit as well as Jazzy shirt day. However, as much as we enjoy the trips to Matlock, we just never seem to come away with anything other than a defeat, and so it was, a 1-0 victory for the Derbyshire side keeping alive their own play off hopes.
Ashton United were to be the last home game of the season, Warrington Town had nudged above Brig into 2^nd spot, so for Brig to finish runners up we had to better their result. With Warrington 2-0 up against Hyde after 20 minutes that always looked unlikely and so it turned out. Ashton taking the points with a 2-1 victory, but Brig had secured 3^rd place in the League and home Play off semi final against Gainsborough Trinity.
And on to the play offs – Is anybody still reading this – A crowd of 1,215 inside Irongate including an impressive number of Trinity fans watched a nervy match, The roof came off (well it would have done if we had one at the Clubhouse end) when on 20 minutes Rhys Turner chipped the keeper from 20 yards to give Brig the lead. Trinity grabbed the leveller, midway through the 2^nd half and game went to extra time and penalties. Daws, Fin, Aaron Skinner, and Fin Cross-Adair had successfully netted for Brig. PNE loanee keeper James Pradic an emergency loan for the suspended Felix, positioned himself for the 4^th Trinity spot kick, dived right and pulled off a superb save. Macca Strode up to take the Brig 5^th, spotted the ball, stepped back and then buried it in the bottom corner to send Bamber Bridge into the play off final amongst superb celebratory scenes on the pitch and in the stands.


Warrington Town having dispatched Matlock in their semi won the right to host the final having finished runners up in the league. And as well know by now, they secured promotion with a 90^th minute winner in the Final on Bank Holiday Monday. So the season is at an end, Ultimate disappointment and players and coaching staff were clearly crest fallen. The fans not so, We are proud of every single one of them, including all the players who weren’t there yesterday or maybe no longer at the club but contributed in some way to Bamber Bridge football Club finishing 3^rd from the top of the Northern Premier League. It’s been an absolute pleasure following Brig this season (Well every season to be fair) and as raw as it seems just now. In a few days time the whole squad can, and will reflect on what they have achieved.
It’s a good while off July and Pre-Season and who knows what may happen between now and then. It’s my hope and I’m sure sure that of every Brig supporter out there that we can keep hold of our Management team, Coaching staff and playing squad and go for it again next season. One major plus, we don’t have to visit Bloody Warrington Town again. Watch us draw em in the cup now !!!
Well done and Thank you to everyone involved in keeping this Fantastic football club at this level of non league football. All the work done around the ground is carried out by volunteers and we’ll be back in the summer with paint brushes, screwdrivers, hammers, nails and everything else required to get next season the road. Anyone fancies lending a hand, they are more than welcome.
Up The Brig.
Alan Bateson 2^nd May 2023

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