Farsley boss Neil Parsley will have another striker on the top of his summer shopping list after revealing that Lee Ellington had hung up his boots.

The veteran forward played a key role last season and scored some crucial goals. However, he was not an automatic selection and had to battle it out with Aiden Savory and Gibraltar international Adam Priestley for a place in the side.

Parsley rotated his squad well and nursed Ellington through niggling injuries by using him sparingly, including as an impact player from off the bench.

Ellington has called time on his career, however, and the Farsley manager knows they will miss him.

Parsley said: “Lee has decided to retire and we wish him well and would like to thank him for all he did for the club down the years.

“He has been good for Farsley (AFC and Celtic) and showed loyalty. He could have moved on but he stayed with us and helped the club back on the road to recovery. He was a big player for Stalybridge Celtic before he came to us and we wish him all the best.”

The Farsley boss, along with assistant Mark Jackson, is being quoted at 100-1 to be the next Leeds United manager at some bookmakers.

Both had spells at Elland Road during their playing days, Parsley famously being plucked from non-league football by Howard Wilkinson.

The odds appeared on online sites of well-known bookies following Brian McDermott’s departure on Friday night but Parsley and Jackson are not distracted.

Parsley said: “Apart from Lee, we have kept the squad together, as yet. You never know who is not going to come back after the summer break at this level. We want to keep the nucleus of players together.

“We are looking forward to the new season already. It never really stops because you’re always on the phone or meeting players. Every manager will say the same but we love it and that’s why we’re in the game.

“The three of us - Jacko (Jackson) and Sim (Simeon Bambrook, Parsley’s other joint assistant) and me - have sat down together and earmarked potential signings.

"We want to bring in just two or three – there won’t be wholesale changes like there was at this time last year.”