Guiseley manager Bobby Davison this week played down talk of him moving on in the managerial world with his name being linked with the vacant Hartlepool job.

He said: 'It is paper talk, I have not been approached by Hartlepool.'

Davison's name is one that has cropped up in his native north east for the vacancy at the Nationwide League Division Three club.

Davison has made no secret of his wish to turn full-time if the opportunity arose.

'I have always said I would like more time to work with players than I have at Guiseley and I am like any other manager in that I want to progress.

'Having spent nearly all my life in the game I would love the chance to get involved again on a daily basis.'

Other names linked with the vacant post have been Davison's old Leeds United team mate Chris Kamara, Peter Beardsley and Bolton Wanderers assistant Phil Brown.

Davison said: 'I am flattered to be linked with the job but I find it surprising that Peter Beardsley has not been installed as the favourite with him currently playing there.'

As Davison moves towards the first anniversary of his taking over as manager at Guiseley following the departure of Steve Richards he looks back on a season that has seen his side play some attractive passing football but above all shown real commitment to the cause.

This has taken them to a challenging spot in the Premier Division of the UniBond League but with further success in the cup competitions a fixture backlog is starting to pile up and Davison will need all his resources to turn the games in hand into points as his side battle for the title.

Happily his assistant manager Neil Parsley came through 20 minutes of the game at Lancaster City on Saturday - his first appearance in the side since rupturing knee ligaments in a pre-season friendly. Also bidding for a comeback before the season ends is former Huddersfield Town defender Simon Trevitt who has been out since mid-September with knee trouble.

Davison said: 'I am happy at Guiseley, it is a great little club, and the job here is only half done because my aim is to win the league.

'I am fortunate enough to still be able to play and that keeps my enthusiasm going.'

Davison is in a hot spell after returning from a 19 match injury absence. He has scored four goals in the four games since his return.

Davison has seen life as a player under such influential managers as Howard Wilkinson at Leeds United, Arthur Cox at Derby County, Dave Basssett at Sheffield United and Brian Little at Leicester City.

'I have tried to pool all the best ideas from these managers together in my work as a manager but I have also tried to preserve my own beliefs and hopefully I have come up with the right combination.' said Davison.

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