ASSISTANT coach Lee Briers admits he has been “like a sponge” around his fellow Wire coaches as he looks to further develop his skills.

Since retiring in 2013 having enjoyed a glittering career with The Wire, Briers has worked his way through the coaching ranks at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

He has spent time as head coach of the club’s under 19s and reserves teams but is now a full-time assistant to first-team head coach Steve Price alongside Andrew Henderson.

Briers says he is enjoying the extra responsibility his role brings and believes he is a better coach for his experiences alongside Price and Henderson.

“I’m just a sponge at the moment in terms of picking things up from the people around me,” he said.

“I’m doing my best to pass on any experience I have as well.

“It’s been a great experience for me. It’s a bit more responsibility but I’m enjoying it.

“Steve is really diligent and knows what he wants from us.

“Andrew and I fit into that well and I get on really well with both of them.

“With Jon Clarke in there as well, we are a really tight coaching unit and I hope that is showing to the players.”

Briers’ only previous coaching experience came under Tony Smith, who gave him more first-team responsibilities ahead of the 2017 season.

However, the iconic former half-back says the coaching group are now constantly challenging each other to improve.

“I think I’m a better coach now than I was 12 months ago,” he said.

“In every walk of life, you have to improve in everything you do.

“The main thing with this coaching group is that we are always challenging each other.

“If we continue to do that, we will keep improving as coaches and the results will show on the pitch.”