New Park Avenue boss John Deacey is looking forward to Boxing Day’s UniBond Premier Division derby at Nethermoor because Guiseley are one of the few rivals he knows a lot about.

The last three years of Deacey’s management experience have all been in the Conference structure with Farsley Celtic, first as assistant to Lee Sinnott and then as manager in his own right.

But the Horsfall chief has always kept an eye on the Lions down the road.

“Even while I was working with Lee and later as manager with Neil Parsley as my assistant I had time to see a bit of Guiseley,” said Deacey, who oversaw a 4-1 success at Witton Albion last Saturday in his first game in charge.

“It will be a tough game as they are doing really well this season. It’s a local derby so it will be all blood and thunder like any game between near neighbours and great rivals.

“They are a lot higher up the table than we are at the moment and I really hope they go up into the Blue Square North, it would be great for the area. But I’m at Bradford now and I want us to beat them to promotion.

“What you want isn’t always what you get. We had a good result at the weekend but we have a lot of points to pick up if we are to get up with the likes of Guiseley.

“We are working on bringing players in to help us push for promotion this season but I can’t see anything happening in time for the Boxing Day squad.”

Deacey has returned to his former club to sign winger Matthew James but had wanted to bring in two loan signings from a Football League club.

He did have a good working relationship with Gary McAllister but was stunned by his sacking.

“I am working on bringing in players from Leeds United and Huddersfield Town but both clubs have new managers and over the busy Christmas period there are always a lot of things going on at every club. I think we might be looking at next month before anyone comes in on loan.

“Otherwise everyone should be fit and, after the big win at the weekend, looking forward to an enjoyable derby.

“The only injury on Saturday was Luke Holden, who scored two goals. He came off with a twinge but his knee should be okay.”