Career
Brines has been a referee since 1989 and was a Fédération internationale de football association-listed referee from 2003. As of 2013, however, he is no longer included on the Fédération internationale de football association list, having reached the international retirement age of 45. He refereed in full international matches, as well as matches in the Union of European Football Associations Champions League and tournaments.
Brines was criticised for his performance by both managers after a match between Motherwell and Rangers on 31 October 2007 at Fir Park.
In one case, Walter Smith commented when Brines failed to award a penalty when Nacho Novo, a Rangers player, was fouled inside the penalty box. Mark McGhee was unhappy about another incident where Brines awarded a corner to Rangers, despite a foul on the Motherwell goalkeeper, Graeme Smith.
As a result of this corner, Nacho Novo scored for Rangers. Brines was also criticised by Clyde manager, Graham Roberts, when, in a game between Clyde and Gretna, Brines sent off Clyde player, Alex Williams for an alleged kick at Chris Innes, which was subsequently proved correct by video evidence.