Guiseley completed a busy couple of days with the permanent appointment of Mark Bower as first-team boss, closely followed by the signing of Ben Parker and finally getting clearance for Paul Ennis.

After confirming that former Leeds defender, and Bantams loanee, Parker had signed for the Lions, chief executive officer Adrian Towers said: “He has been training with us for a few weeks and we are delighted to have agreed terms with him.

“Ben had a good spell in the Football League but he had a series of niggling injuries that resulted in scans and corrective surgery. He has never played as low as Conference North but he is only 25 and is very keen.

“He has looked sharp in training over a period of time and if he stays fit he will be a big player for us. It is a very welcome signing at a time when we have a bit of a defensive crisis because of injuries.”

Former City skipper Bower has now been placed in charge full time following just two games as stand-in manager. Both matches ended in defeat but club directors saw enough to be convinced the defender is the man to lead them into the post-Steve Kittrick era.

Towers said: “The board felt it was right. Mark has impressed everybody with his good ideas and is well respected in the game. He is very knowledgeable and articulate, so he impresses when he speaks to either the board or the squad.

“I’m sure Mark is happy that everything is on a permanent footing now. When things are up in the air, supporters and players are always concerned, but they can all relax now.

“Mark has had a long-held view that he would go into coaching/management and he was helping with the coaching and leading warm-ups when Steve was still here. He is maybe surprised that this opportunity has come along so soon but he is ready for it.”

Towers also confirmed that Guiseley finally received international clearance for Ennis from the Welsh FA this afternoon.

Both Parker and Ennis will be available for tomorrow’s home game against leaders Hednesford Town – but Matt Clarke will not be making his debut.

The former City defender should have started in the midweek derby at home to Bradford Park Avenue but pulled up in the warm-up with a calf injury.