GUISELEY boss Mark Bower is aiming to add more quality players to his promotion-winning squad following Adam Lockwood’s return to Nethermoor.

Wakefield-born defender Lockwood, who has spent the majority of his career in the Football League with Yeovil, Doncaster and Bury, joins the Lions from Oldham.

The 33-year-old had a previous spell with Guiseley during the 2013-14 campaign and becomes Bower’s first close-season signing ahead of their first term in the National League.

Lockwood turned down the chance of a new deal at Oldham and Bower said: “Ever since that day at Chorley, we’ve known the quality of players we want to get in for next season.

“Adam is certainly of that calibre and we know, first hand, just how important a player he can be for us.

“His experience and reading of the game will prove a valuable asset in the Conference next season and we hope to be able to add players of a similar quality over the coming weeks.”

Full-back Ryan Toulson, striker Adam Boyes and midfielder Gavin Rothery have also signed new deals keeping them at Nethermoor for the coming season.

Oli Johnson, Jake Lawlor and Liam Dickinson are all under contract for 2015-16 already, while Danny Lowe and Danny Hall have agreed terms but are yet to put pen to paper.

Offers are on the table for keeper Steve Drench, Danny Ellis, Ben Parker, Wayne Brooksby and Nicky Boshell, while Jack Stockdill and Jordan Hendrie have been asked to report back for pre-season training.

Andy Holdsworth, who captained the side at Chorley, has left to take up a full-time role with Barnsley’s Academy, while Alex Johnson (Stalybridge Celtic) and Kyle Harrison have signed for new clubs.

Guiseley are 150/1 outsiders with the bookmakers to win the 2015-16 Conference title. Forest Green Rovers are 5/1 favourites with Betway, ahead of Tranmere, Grimsby and Eastleigh at 7/1.

FC Halifax are priced at 28/1, while the Lions, Welling and Boreham Wood are the outsiders at 150/1.

* Silsden have managed to hold on to Craig Nicholls, their top scorer last season.

Nicholls netted 16 times in his debut season and has committed himself for another term with the Cobbydalers.

He is seen as a big part of the plans of joint managers Ryan Haigh and Danny Bolton.

Bolton said: “Ryan and I are extremely pleased to secure Craig at the club for another season.

“He showed great potential during the last campaign, and his blistering pace was a constant threat to defences.

"I have spoken at great length with Craig about his role within the team and also in the areas where we are looking at him improving so that he can develop further.

“When we knew that Craig wanted to remain at the club, we had no hesitation in getting his signature secured.”