Crowe not giving up on top five

Neil Crowe believes it would be his biggest achievement as Bamber Bridge manager if he was to guide the club into a play-off spot this season.
Brig boss Neil CroweBrig boss Neil Crowe
Brig boss Neil Crowe

The odds look against Brig finishing inside the top five of the NPL First Division North after a problematic season.

The retirements of key players such as Paul McKenna and Brett Ormerod has been compounded by the club’s subsequent financial difficulties, which has prevented the players from being paid. Currently, Crowe’s men find themselves 12 points outside the play-offs, although they do have a number of games in hand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Down to the bare bones in terms of squad size, Crowe acknowledges it will take a big effort from his players to reach a third successive play-off final this season.

“To get in the top five come the end of April from where we are in 14th position in the table, it would be a big achievement – especially with the squad we have got now and what we started off with at the beginning of the season.

“We are down to 13 or 14 players, with the rest of the squad made up of players from the academy.

“If we get a couple of injuries, it could cause us a bit of a problem.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are probably not going to be able to bring anybody in because of the financial side of things.

“I am not in a position to offer anything at the moment.

“But that could change in a few weeks as we start getting people through the turnstiles and money into the 
club.”

Despite being below 
mid-table, Crowe still believes his men have the capabilities to get close to a shot at promotion.

Asked if victory over Mossley tomorrow was paramount to their play-off campaign, Crowe said: “Maybe, but I think if we can get a run together, we are as capable as anybody of getting in the play-offs.

“Mossley are doing well this season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think they up to seventh in the table. They are a big strong side with some good players. We are not stupid, it is going to be a very tough game for us.”

Brig will be without midfielder Matty Kay, who suffered concussion in the 1-1 draw with Prescot on Tuesday night and will miss the next two games.

Elsewhere, Burscough travel to new Mills and Clitheroe visit Trafford. Kendal are at top-of-the-table Warrington.