Bamber Bridge legends Alistair Waddecar and Chris Marlow unlikely to play for the club this season - Brig boss Jamie Milligan

​But the pair could be involved in the club’s Lancashire FA Trophy Final against either Padiham or Colne at the end of April.

Milligan revealed that the pair had been signed in an emergency, just in case he did not have enough fit and eligible players to form a squad for the final.

Waddecar has been described as one of Brig’s greatest ever players but has not played for the club since joining FC United of Manchester three years ago after a decade of service and more than 450 games.

Marlow retired from playing in 2021 after a similar long stint at Irongate.

The pair have not been playing regular football in recent months and are unlikely to be in the Brig squad for the home game against Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday or the Easter Monday clash at Lancaster City.

"They have signed on really just to help us out,” said Milligan. “The cut-off was yesterday to sign anybody for the final so we needed to make sure we had enough players for it.

"They won’t be involved in the league. The club put it out on social media that they had signed but it was only so we had cover in case we had a lot of injuries leading up to that final.

"Chris retired a few years ago; he’s been going to watch Preston and enjoying that.

"Ally’s not really match fit at the minute. I don’t think he’s really that interested in getting back into it but they both could be involved for the final if we are short.”