Talisman James Walshaw upsets rivals Halifax to make Guiseley return

Walshaw was a talismanic figure in the Lions side which won the UniBond League Premier Division and also the following season, the club’s first in the Blue Square Bet North Division. But he was tempted away by a full-time contract at Blue Square Bet Premier Division outfit Darlington.

The former Football League club had dropped into the Conference but still had the structure and financial clout to continue with a full-time playing squad. But as this season rolled on, the north-east club released some their contracted players while allowing others out on loan as they headed into administration.

Walshaw was snapped up by FC Halifax Town, divisional rivals and near neighbours of Guiseley. He scored goals for them in a month-long loan spell but had an eye on his former club.

“Wally contacted one of our players and expressed an interest in coming back,” said Kittrick, explaining the situation.

“He felt he had been messed around by a few clubs and wanted to know if he had an option of coming here again. He was a free agent after being released from his contract so we met him and had a long chat.

“It was an easy decision for us regarding Wally because we knew what we were getting and he had a desire to come back to the club where he had enjoyed the best of his recent career.

“He had been with Guiseley for two-and-half-years and had been playing for me almost twice as long as that.

“We put an offer on the table for him but Halifax offered him a better financial deal, so we didn’t know what the outcome was going to be. In the end it came down to Wally’s love of the club.

“He has always enjoyed it at Guiseley and he was linking up with former team-mates and players he grew up with.

“He has copped a lot of flack off the Halifax supporters on their websites since – and so have I – but we expect that because its football. They wanted him there but he signed for us, so it was always going to wind some people up.”