Guiseley have signed experienced defender Jamie Clarke.

The 28-year-old, who spent ten seasons in the Football League before dropping to the Conference with York City, played for the Lions’ rivals Gainsborough Trinity last season in Blue Square Bet North.

Guiseley manager Steve Kittrick said: “Jamie can play in defence or in central midfield but we have signed him as a right back. He can also play at centre half.”

Sunderland-born Clarke, who came through Mansfield Town’s youth system, played for three seasons at Field Mill, including a campaign when they were in the equivalent of League One.

However, the bulk of Clarke’s decade in the Football League has been at the level below that, be that with Mansfield (2001-04), Rochdale (2004-06), Boston United (2006-07) or Grimsby Town (2007-10).

He suffered the chastening experience of being part of the Boston squad that were relegated from the Football League in 2006-07, their demotion being confirmed on the final day when they lost to Wrexham.

However, Clarke has also had highs of being promoted with Mansfield and playing at Wembley with Grimsby when they lost the Football League Trophy final 2-0 to MK Dons in 2008.

One of his team-mates at Grimsby was Guiseley player Danny Boshell, the duo being released, along with Matthew Heywood, on February 1 last year.

Clarke then played eight times for York in 2009-10, including a quarter-final FA Trophy defeat to Barrow, and trials followed for him at Darlington, Gateshead and St Johnstone before Clarke found himself back in Lincolnshire with Gainsborough Trinity.

Ironically, his home debut was the 3-1 defeat to Guiseley last August, and he was released in May.

The only piece of the puzzle Kittrick now has to fill squad-wise is a back-up goalkeeper to Steve Drench but that signing is expected by next week.

Guiseley started pre-season training on Tuesday, and they are also training on Thursdays and Saturdays until pre-season matches start on Tuesday, July 19 at home to Bradford City - a contest that has been arranged as part of the transfer deal that took James Hanson to the Bantams two years ago.

Guiseley’s first league match is at home to Hinckley United at Nethermoor on Saturday, August 13.

Normally it is a benefit to begin at Nethermoor but Kittrick said: “We had a home game first up last season and lost 2-1 to Nuneaton Town.

“It is a voyage into the unknown next season.

“Every team in our division will have strengthened over the summer and every team will think that they can win the league.

“It is only when we get to October and clubs have finished jockeying for positions that we will know where everyone stands.” On Saturday, Guiseley’s players will be getting some special advice - from a nutritionist.

Kittrick said: “It won’t be a long talk that will bore the pants off everybody but it will tell the players what they should be eating and what they should be eating after games etc.

“We will find out after two or three training sessions which players have been looking after themselves but that might apply to everyone but two or three.

“Most players keep themselves ticking over by going to the gym etc.”