GUISELEY AFC have confirmed former Bury AFC/FC and Ossett United man Andy Welsh as their new first team manager.

Following an extensive interview process whittling down over thirty applicants for the job, The Lions viewed Welsh as the overwhelming choice to take the club forward.

Guiseley's new manager's success at his previous clubs has not only been on field, delivering a play-off finish and County Cup trophy with Ossett United in their first ever season and a league title with Bury AFC, but off field too in pulling together communities and increasing clubs profiles and togetherness.

Following his appointment, Welsh commented: “We are excited to get started at Guiseley - a club at non-league with a lot of history - with the potential to help grow the fan base and bring together the local community to support and get behind their team. This league is a very tough division, and we need everyone getting behind the team home and away to bring that feel good factor back to the stands.

"The current squad looks strong, however I believe this division is the strongest it has ever been, so we know the next month of games is going to be really tough against the top teams in this league. To add to that, the start to the season has been up and down and levels need to be lifted because as at the minute, we are mid-table and we have a tough run of games. So, this will show us where the players are at and if they want to compete and battle when our backs are against the wall. I’m sure they are capable of doing this, but we all have to work together to create a hard to beat mentality when clubs visit us at Nethermoor. To reach our potential, we want hard work both on and off the field; whilst having the buy in from players, staff, supporters and the community is really important from day one.”

Football Secretary and General Manager James Pickles added: “Whilst still relatively young in managerial terms, Andy has taken charge of over 200 non-league games already with a highly impressive win percentage. Combined with his playing career which included Sunderland in the Premier League, he has a wealth of experience at a young age, Andy’s hunger to progress all aspects of the club and himself came across massively at interview and we’re excited to have him on board as first team manager.”

Although born in Manchester, Welsh has been based in Bradford for ten years and has developed his own successful youth academy in which he engages with local schools and community groups. Guiseley have confirmed that they will be looking to work with Welsh to continue to utilise these links to bring the club into contact with the local community as much as possible.

Guiseley added through their website: "Our thanks go to Liam Tongue for his time as caretaker manager as well as all the staff and players for rallying round to produce some fine performances and results over the last five weeks. Liam, who is hopefully close to a return to fitness, has shown a great enthusiasm and character for the role and we’re sure he will go on to have a strong coaching or managerial career once his playing days are behind him.

"Liam will take charge of his final game as caretaker manager tomorrow evening against Marine FC with Andy Welsh and his staff observing from the stand.

"We look forward to Andy meeting the squad and hearing more from him towards the weekend."