Former top scorer James Walshaw’s return to Guiseley for less money than he had been offered elsewhere meant two other major signings almost slipped under the radar.

While Walshaw decided to rejoin the Lions following his release by Darlington, Gavin Rothery and Chris Senior were already at the club.

But Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick was just as delighted that they also put pen to paper and will remain at Nethermoor for the immediate future.

Kittrick said: “I think it is important for the longer term that we have got these players settled and signed on better deals because they have been big players for us this season.”

Rothery has signed an extension to his contract that will see him through until the summer of 2013, while Senior has penned a deal until the end of this season.

Senior, another former Darlington player, was at Nethermoor on loan from Alfreton Town until January but Kittrick has negotiated an extended stay with the player and Alfreton boss Nicky Law.

“It was quite straightforward for me asking the board to come up with the funds for both deals,” said Kittrick.

“To my mind, the players have been a big part of the success we have had so far in being promotion candidates and reaching the last 16 of the FA Trophy yet again.

“Gavin has earned his deal with a lot of hard work over a long spell and when we had talks about extending his stay he was keen.

“He said he wanted to stay at the club and, in his mid-20s, he is young enough to be around for a lot of years.

“Chris is a very good player and he came up with some important goals in his initial one-month loan and he enjoyed it here.

“He asked to stay on and I said yes but reminded him that he had to ask his club. Once that was done, we all agreed terms quite easily.”