GUISELEY have announced the appointment of their new manager along with the capture of a Bradford district club manager as his assistant.

Danny Ellis, who had spent nine years as a defender at Nethermoor, will be partnered by Silsden boss, of six years, Danny Forrest in the dugout.

The pair replace caretaker managers Steve Kittrick and Luke Potter who left the club yesterday after the Lions' 12-year stay in the Vanarama National League structure came to an end.

Speaking about his new role of player-manager Ellis said: “I feel now is the right time, I think I have great experience.

"I know a lot of people in the game and obviously I can still play which is an added bonus.

"I think this is a great way to transition from a player to a manager, obviously it is a shame we went down and we are having to rebuild which is going to be tough. I am open to the challenge, I am thriving in it and I can’t wait. It is a great opportunity.

“I am going fully at it like I would with everything. I have won the league twice, I am aware of how tough the league is and all the teams in it. I want to be competitive and aim for the top spot like any manager would.”

Former Lion Forrest also spoke of his delight at his return to the club, adding: “I am really happy to be working with Dan at Guiseley again and I am ready to have a right go at it.

“We have a close relationship, we always have for years. We are joined up in our thinking and always thought we would work together one day.

"We have been on the pitch together many times, we have been in a youth team, sat in a changing room every day and have spent a lot of time on the phone together despite playing for different clubs.

"I am glad to be here and happy to have been given the opportunity. It is great to be back.

"I have always had the connection with Guiseley, even as a young lad I went to Wembley with my Dad to watch them."

Guiseley chairman Gary Douglas added: “As the club enters a new era in the Northern Premier League it was imperative that we appointed a management team who could bring the club together.

"I feel in appointing the two Dannys we can build again on the solid base we at Guiseley have established over the past three decades.

“From speaking to the new management team I know we will be recruiting players who wish to play for this great club and for each other with total commitment.

"Danny and Danny are the guys to do this and I am confident we will all enjoy the football next season.”

Ellis made 700 appearances in his playing career and has a vast knowledge of the Northern Premier Division having won it as a player with Guiseley in 2010 and Farsley in 2019.

The 36-year-old also won promotion with the Lions into the Vanarama National League back in 2015 and will also be registered as a player for the coming season.

Under Forrest, Silsden won the NWCFL title accumulating 103 points and scoring 110 goals.

He also led the Cobbydalers to their highest ever league finish at step five and their furthest ever progression in the FA Vase.

As a Guiseley player, Forrest made 99 appearances, scoring 18 goals across five seasons.