 The following season, he again struggled to claim a regular place, but in the 1996–97 season established himself in the centre of the Burnley defence, and remained there for the next three seasons, though occasionally played out of position by manager Chris Waddle.By March 1998, such was the turmoil that the Clarets found themselves in, Brass was their longest serving player, and still only 22 years old.In that summer, Stan Ternent replaced Waddle, and made Brass captain, but the latter struggled to keep his form and found himself in the reserves.