Aged 17, Brisley made his debut for Macclesfield, before signing a professional contract before 2008/09 to avoid other clubs' interest
An undoubted success story from Macclesfield’s otherwise difficult 2007/08 campaign, Brisley made his league debut in Keith Alexander’s first game in charge against Notts County in March 2008, aged just 17.
Quickly establishing himself in the first team, the versatile young defender – who grew up just 800 yards from the Moss Rose – showed composure under pressure and assurance with the ball as he went on to make nine more appearances, even grabbing a brace of goals at home against Accrington Stanley. With bigger clubs rumoured to be sniffing around, Brisley was offered professional terms before 2008/09.