NEW Farsley Celtic manager Adam Lakeland has been busy during the close season and his efforts are beginning to bear fruit.

Former Guiseley centre back Danny Ellis signing and striker Adam Priestley are both returning to Throstle Nest.

Lakeland and assistant Mark Bett have also been working hard to negotiate new deals with the squad that led Farsley to last season's double as the club look forward to their forthcoming campaign in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Ellis' capture is a key signing as the defender has played most of his career at a higher level, while Priestley's return is also a feather in the cap of the new management team.

The Gibraltar international spent last term at Alfreton Town in Vanarama National League North but he will be beginning a third spell with the Celts after flying back to the Nest.

He left after his first stint to sign for then-National North outfit Guiseley but came back later that season before being tempted away by Shaw Lane.

Priestley was signed by former Bradford City manager Nicky Law for Alfreton from Shaw Lane but after 20 starts in the National North last season, and with Law departed to take up a scouting role for Sean Dyche's Burnley in the Premier League, he signalled his intent to leave Alfreton at the end of the last campaign.

Meanwhile, winger Lewis Nightingale and midfielder Chris Atkinson have both committed their immediate futures to the Celts.

Forward Paul Walker and goalkeeper Graeme McKibbon have also signed new deals for the 2017-18 season, while midfielder Ross Daly and striker turned centre back Aiden Savory have both departed.

Daly and Savory have signed for former Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick at Scarborough Athletic. The Celts left the Seadogs behind in Evo-Stik Division One North at the end of last term, when they secured promotion with a thrilling play-off final victory after ending the regular season as runners-up.

The play-off trophy added to their West Riding County Cup victory and was a perfect end to a very good season.