Now, almost four months on, it has just about settled in and after a long summer of hard work and preparation, the wait for the return of league action is almost over.

Neil Reynolds’ men have had to wait two weeks longer than most, and the Brig manager is eager for his side to get underway in a league higher.

“It’s been one the longest pre-season schedules I’ve known to be honest,” said Reno. “To be kicking off this late is frustrating, having watched teams at a similar level to us play three or four games by now.

“So, we’re chomping at the bit and Grantham can’t come soon enough.”

A new division means new opposition, with Brig making the two-and-a-half-hour trip to face a side under new management, that are looking to put last season’s Play-Off heartache behind them.

“Obviously, they were Play-Off finalists last year, cup finalists the season before and the manager has just left.

“New players have been brought in, they’ve lost their centre forward to Chesterfield but they’re a big strong physical side and if you look at their home record last season they were a force.

We know it’s going to be difficult this Saturday,” admitted Reno. “Nonetheless it’s a game we’re really looking forward to.

“I’ve never been there before so I’m looking forward to it for that reason and we’ll go there in good spirits on the back of our Play-Off win.

“We’re gonna continue with our attacking 4-2-3-1 formation and look to take games to teams.

“We’ll learn after six to ten games whether we need to pay teams a little bit more respect or change our formation and the way we play.

“But I’m certainly a big believer in the way we play and on the back of two pieces of silverware I’m not about to change it now. Hopefully they’ll be ready for us and we’ll be ready for them.”

“We’re fit, we’re strong, the lads have been a lot over pre-season, sometimes three to four times a week. We know we’re ready, well drilled and organised, we just need to go through our final few touches.

Reno also confirmed that Matt Mahoney, Adam Roscoe and Stuart Vasey have left the club this summer, whilst Ryan White (Winger), Danny Rocchia (Goalkeeper), Paul Dawson (Right Back), Matty Morgan (Winger), Jordan Darr (Winger), and Chris Churchman (Centre Midfield) remain the six additions to the Brig squad.

Reporter: George Hodgson (@GHodgsonSport)