FARSLEY Celtic made a big decision last week when they restructured their management set-up following the decision of assistant manager Lee Connor to step down.

Instead of seeking another number two for boss Neil Parsley, the Celts opted for joint-managers as John Deacey officially returned to the club for a second spell at the club at what is a crucial time.

Farsley have signalled their intentions by making four big signings after losing last season's double-winning player of the season Lewis Nightingale.

The free-scoring midfielder picked up both the players' and the management's awards but has since joined Darlington 1883, who won promotion to National League North as champions of the Evo-Stik League Premier Division last term.

Midfielder Nathan Turner, the versatile Richard Marshall, former Bantams full back Luke O'Brien and striker James Walshaw have all been recruited.

Walshaw was a crowd favourite at Throstle Nest in his first spell with the club before moving on to Guiseley, Halifax Town and a stint as a full-time professional with Darlington before their administration woes.

Meanwhile, Parsley and Deacey have a friendship going back some years and they will now unite with the hope of taking the club forward.

"John has been helping out at the club since November when Mark Jackson stepped aside," said Parsley.

"He has a wealth of experience in non-League football and I think that the time is right for this new management team. We look forward to taking on this new-look group of players for the coming season."

Deacey first came to Throstle Nest as a player-coach and then assistant to manager Martin Haresign. When Haresign's reign came to an end, Deacey stayed to become second in command to Lee Sinnott as the club rocketed through the divisions to the top tier of non-League football, what was then the Conference Premier.

Farsley had financial difficulties and suffered relegation to Conference North after Sinnott was poached by Port Vale and Deacey turned to former Guiseley boss Parsley and made him assistant.

Following Deacey's exit and the subsequent administration which led to the club being placed in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, chairman John Palmer asked Parsley to stay on and help the club rise from the ashes, which he did.

Deacey, who also had a spell in charge at Bradford Park Avenue, is now rejoining his old assistant as an equal and said: "I'm very pleased to be coming on board with Neil to be joint-managers of Farsley Celtic.

"I'm a Harrogate lad and came to Leeds through my business – but I have a great affection for the football club and I enjoyed my time here working with Martin Haresign and Lee Sinnott a few years back, when we had great success.

"I'm looking forward to getting going again and I hope that me and Neil can help to really re-establish Farsley Celtic on the field."