Happy tractor memories for Brig manager Neil

Eight months ago, the Brig squad and coaching staff had to hitch a lift on a farmer’s tractor when their coach broke down on the way home from the goalless draw with Athletic.

Video of the players having a sing-song and a beer sat in the trailer went viral on 
social media.

“That day will live long in the memory,” Brig boss Neil Reynolds told the Post.

“Our coach broke down on the road between Bridlington and Scarborough, the fan belt went and we were miles from anywhere.

“We rang loads of taxi firms but we couldn’t give them an exact location so they wouldn’t come out.

“I saw a tractor driving on a lane across a field so I did a half-mile run to catch it up.

“We threw in £100 and got the farmer to drive us five miles to the nearest pub, where we waited until they got a replacement coach to us.

“You look back on events like that with a big smile and we will never forget that day.

“It will never happen to Manchester United, they would have had a private plane to get them there.”

Back to the present day and Scarborough’s visit to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium comes in a hectic spell for Reynolds men.

They go to Prescot Cables on Easter Monday, then 48 hours later face Grantham Town in the League Cup final at Leek Town’s ground.

After defeats to Colne, Brighouse and Clitheroe in the league, Reynolds wants to see a pick-up in form.

Said Reynolds: “When we lost at Clitheroe on Tuesday night, it was the first time I had to tell the lads that they had let themselves down.

“I wanted to win that game for many reasons, first and foremost to get three points and then because I used to play for Clitheroe.

“I don’t want this season to fall away.

“Players have to realise that their futures here aren’t secure – reaching a cup final is not enough, I want to win the league next season.

“So I need to see that they are up for the challenge and have what it takes to do well next season.

“We’ve got a really tough game against Scarborough, they are one of the form sides of 2017 and are just outside the play-offs.

“I’m told they are bringing four coachloads of fans and it should be a good crowd as we are having the beer festival in the clubhouse.

“This is a busy spell – we play Saturday, Monday and then Wednesday.

“We’ve been playing 
every two or three days 
recently with the cup run.

“I’ll make changes for all the games because we have a squad of 19 and you can’t ask them to play every game.

“Hopefully we can get back to form this weekend.”