After their eighth title in 1976, Brigg moved up to the Midland League and were placed in the Premier Division. After finishing third in their first season in the league, they were champions in 1977–78. When the league merged with the Yorkshire League to form the Northern Counties East League in 1982, Brigg were placed in Division One South. They were relegated to Division Two South at the end of the league's first season, but finished as runners-up the following season, earning promotion to Division One Central. League reorganisation in 1985 saw them placed in Division One, and they were promoted to the Premier Division at the end of the 1985–86 season despite only finishing twelfth.