GUISELEY were relegated on Tuesday night after a 1-0 home defeat to Barrow and manager Sean St Ledger has suggested that one reason for their poor campaign was the Lions' decision to switch to being a full-time side this season.

However, although St Ledger admits that the club could have handled that transition more smoothly, he stressed the importance of remaining full-time as they try to gain promotion back to the Vanarama National League at the first attempt.

The former Irish international explained: “Five of the top seven in the league below are full-time and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

"If you go full-time, you have time to implement your coaching sessions and ideas and you’re clearly going to be fitter than people who are training on Tuesday and Thursday and working during the week.

"That would be my advice, to remain full-time, whether I'm here next season or not."

Even though Guiseley are down, St Ledger had a clear message for his players, saying: "It’s about individuals now.

"It's about what motivates you, whether it’s to be at Guiseley or to go and get a move somewhere else if you’re out of contract.

"You have to do what’s right for yourself. Nine times out of 10 when you get individual performances, collectively, as a team, you get a result."

The manager suggested that even those who had been loaned out or only played a few times for the Lions this season can use the next few games to impress him if he stays in charge at Nethermoor.

He said: "I do believe that we’ve called back Elliott Green and we'll be recalling Curtis Morrison. It’s an opportunity to play for those that haven’t been in the squad.

“If you want to play for me next season, if I’m here again, you need to show me what you’re all about and you’re committed and ready to work hard."