Brig will be viewed as a team to beat

Brig get their 2022/23 NPL Premier Division campaign underway this weekend when they head to Stafford Rangers.

Last year, Brig certainly upset they odds by finishing sixth – just one win from reaching the play-offs.

Considering they were many people’s tips to go down, Milligan’s men certainly raised a few eyebrows with their success.

At one time they topped the table – only a sticky run after Christmas preventing them from finishing higher up the table.

Overall they picked up 69 points, earning 21 wins which was only two less than champions Buxton and second-placed South Shields.

While the team should gain confidence from last season, Brig will now be viewed as one of the teams to beat in the division. However, Milligan has urged his players to play without fear, telling them that he’s happy to shoulder all the pressure.

"I think there is a little bit of added pressure on us after what happened last season,” said Milligan.

"We are not the favourites to go down like we were last year. We are expected to finish inside that top 10 so there is that added pressure but I’ve told the boys in pre-season that I will take that pressure.

"I just want them to go out and play their football.”

Milligan has managed to keep the vast majority of last season’s squad together with a few new faces.

Vastly experienced David Perkins signed last week from AFC Fylde.

The 40-year-old veteran has played in the Championship for Blackpool and Wigan Athletic in the past and Milligan believes his experience and quality will be a major asset for Brig.

"David has come in, shown a great attitude and when I was speaking to him, he didn’t mention money once.

"All he wanted to know was about how we were as a team and how we wanted to play.”

Stafford are managed by former Preston and Blackpool ace Matt Hill, who is a coach in the Tangerines’ youth set-up.

"I was speaking to Matt the other night,” said Milligan. “He’s a good manager and it’s going to be a difficult game for us going there.”