Guiseley AFC manager Bobby Davison is busy getting his house in order ready for the big kick-off and he has made a move which may not be popular in some quarters. He has replaced last season's reserve team manager Brendan Hudson.

Hudson took his side to a Bolton Alliance title win, a Wharfedale Challenge Cup win and the League Cup final but Davison sees a new role for the reserves in producing tactically aware players for the first team.

Davison said this week: "The move has been made purely on football grounds. We need all our teams to be tactically aware and to play the same way.

It is nice to win cups and things in the reserves but their main function is to produce first team players.

Some of the lads who came into the first team last season were not tactically aware and the senior players had their work cut out during games trying to make them aware of what was needed. That should not need to be done during games.'

'I wanted to bring someone in to bring the players on so that they can step up and be ready for the first team.'

To that end Davison has appointed FA coach David Morris as reserve team manager and Brett Farriday will continue his role in assisting with the reserves.

Morris worked at Tadcaster A lbion last season and also does a lot of coaching academies.

'He has two strings to his bow in that he is not only a full coaching badge holder but also a goalkeeping coach,' said Davison.

Brendan did a good job with the reserves last season and they were successful in terms of trophies but I am looking for something else from the players who come into the first team.

It would be nice if the new reserve manager could match what Brendan did in terms of trophies but that is not the real goal for them.

We have now set up an acedemy team to be run by Rob Ames and Colin Grunwell and with David in charge of the reserves I feel that we can get all the players connected with Guiseley AFC playing and working the same way,' said Davison.

Davison, whose players start training tonight, Thursday, is looking forward to the new season which sees his club take on relegated Stalybridge and Gateshead in their opening four games.

'That will be some test to start with and will show us how we might make out,' said Davison.

A lot of lads have contacted me wanting to play for Guiseley and our door is open to anyone. They can all come alomg and have a trial. There is nothing definite on the transfer front at the moment. Two lads I do have in mind are still hoping for a league club so we will have to wait.'

Academy trials

The academy squad also starts training tonight, Thursday, at St Mary's RC School, Menston, at 7.30 pm.

Manager Rob Ames welcomes players aged 16-19 for the squad which will play in the Northern Academy Youth League.

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