A freezing cold night in the Lancashire seasisde town of Morecambe may not be the ideal way for folk hero Shaun Brisley to bow out of Macclesfield but he’s pleased to have some sort of swansong before he heads south.

After much speculation, Brisley has been snapped up by Championship side Peterborough United, initially on a loan deal, with a view to a permanent switch at the end of the season.

But it could have been so different had a friend not persuaded someone to give the then 12-year-old a second chance to make his mark.

"I’ve been with the club since I was 12 but I wasn’t taken on at first," remembered the local lad who’s likely to fetch a club record fee from the Posh. "I joined a Macc Soccer School then had a trial for the School of Excellence.

"I didn’t get a place at first, a friend of mine, Matthew did though. He was taken on and I’m really fortunate that he managed to get me in for a second trial.

"I went along and I got taken on by Macc that time and I’ve been here ever since.

"I used to go watching matches at the Moss when I was young, I’ve followed the club since I was a kid, even before I was taken on so I was proud when I made my debut."

Thankfully centre-back Brisley didn’t slip through the Silkmen’s fingers and at 17 he was handed his first outing in the blue shirt, courtesy of incoming management duo, Keith Alexander and Gary Simpson.

The pair had just taken over from Ian Brightwell with 12 games remaining of the 2007/08 season to go and, despite a slighhtly perilous league position, Big Keith and Simmo put their faith in a little-known local boy from the youth squad.

"I remember how nervous I was, that first 20 minutes felt like it had taken everything out of me," Brisley admitted. "Making that step up was difficult, I don’t think people can tell the difference until they’re actually out there, it’s a totally new ball game.

"I felt the strain but I got into the game and found my stride and I felt fine after that.

"Keith and Simmo gave me my chance, they gave me my debut in their first game in charge and they were brilliant, they told me to go out and enjoy myself, they didn’t put any pressure on me.

"My mum and dad were there, it was a proud day for them as well and my dad still doesn’y miss a game, nor do my granddads.

"Simmo and Keith showed faith in me by playing me, and they’ve always shown faith in young lads and even though I’m still only 21 I’ve got nearly 150 games under my belt.

"I owe them a lot for the experience I’ve got now."

Meanwhile, Simpson admitted he has mixed feelings about watching one of the Moss Rose’s crown jewels move on, but says it’s no surprise that the bigger boys have come calling.

"I’ve maintained all season that if Bris kept doing as he was, playing well and keeping clear of injuries he’d be more than capable of playing at a higher level," insisted the manager.

"There had been a lot of people watching him, that’s no secret.

"We gave Bris his debut when we took over, we had a system in mind at the time and we asked around the club to see if there was anyone who could step in, and not a lot of people were familiar with the name around the club."

Last season the 21-year-old was disappointed with his contribution, thanks mainly to a series of injuries that prevented him enjoying a sustained run in the team.

But with those problems seemingly behind him, Brisley has turned in a series of outstanding displays that means fit-again club captain Paul Morgan has had to watch from the sidelines once he became available again.

"He’s had a terrific campaign after struggling and having a lot of injuries last season," added Simpson.

"He’s been arguably our player of the season so far, he’s been terrific for us and when someone shows that kind of form and a Championship club comes calling you can’t turn it down."

Brisley won’t be alone when he heads south, as former team-mate Emile Sinclair is another to make the move to London Road, with another academy graduate, James Jennings, just down the road at Cambridge.

"It’ll be good to catch up with Emile (who moved from Macc to Peterborough in August), I’m sure I’ll speak to him this week."

He admits his debut was perhaps the highlight of his career so far, but with nearly 150 appearances to his name, one other match sticks solidly in his mind.

"I think my highlight so far has probably been my debut," he said. "It was a shock for me to get a chance to play at such a young age and I’ve maintained my place, I’d never have thought I’d be doing that.

"But I remember scoring two goals against Accrington Stanley, it was a game we needed to win – I got two and we did win, it was an important three points that helped us stay up.

"I remember that game well, that could be my highlight.

"I think last season was the lowest point for me, I had a lot of injuries and I couldn’t really show my best form.

"I think that’s all behind me now and I’m enjoying playing again.

"I think Peterborough are about 10 points clear of the relegation zone in the Championship. They did try to sign me a few years ago but I didn’t think it was the right time for me to move, and staying at Macc was certainly better for my career, I’ve got much more experience because of it. I’m still only 21 and I’ve got nearly 150 games under my belt.

"I owe Keith and Simmo a lot."

Before he leaves, Brisley was to be given a final outing at Morecambe’s Globe Arena on Tuesday, and although it won’t be a hero’s farewell at the ground where he used to watch the likes of John Askey, Darren Tinson and Rickie Lambert, he’s grateful to have a chance to put on the shirt one last time – and was determined to end on a high note.

"I always thought I had the ability to move up the leagues and test myself against the bigger, better players," added Brisley, whose price tag is expected to smash the record fee Macc received for Lambert.

"I hope I can adapt, improve my game and learn more so I can become a better player all round.

"I’m pleased that I will be able to make a proper goodbye, it would have been nice to have had the Plymouth game go ahead at the weekend, I’d have liked the chance to play one more game at the Moss.

"The fans have been good to me, they gave me the benefit of the doubt a lot, probably with me being one of their own, I’ve been in a few games when team-mates have got a lot of stick.

"I’ll be trying my best to take one of my shirts on Tuesday, definitely.

"It will be a sad day to leave my hometown club, it will be a wrench, but hopefully I’ll help to make it a winning send-off.

"I’ll miss the lads too, they’re a great bunch but it’s time now for me to step out onto the next challenge and test myself."

And no one will begrudge Brisley, the boy that Macc almost missed out on, that opportunity.