GUISELEY stalwart Danny Ellis is calling time on his playing career with the Lions following the club’s promotion to the Vanarama National League season.

It is understood the long-serving defender is joining Harrogate Town but he will continue to work in Guiseley’s community department and remain as Academy coach alongside Dave Currie.

Ellis has been at Nethermoor since 2005 and helped guide the club into the Vanarama Conference North as well as non-league’s top flight, making over 400 appearances since being signed by Neil Parsley.

However, with the added travelling and increased time commitments required from players next season, Ellis has opted against moving up to a higher level.

He said: “I would just like to say a special thanks to everyone associated at Guiseley AFC – the board, the volunteers, the management and especially the supporters.

“The last 10 years have been an amazing journey and throughout this time everyone associated with the club has been fantastic to me.

“But unfortunately I will not continue to be part of the first team next season.

“To commit to the National League is a big ask for myself and my young family and I have decided that now is the right time to move on.

“I feel immensely proud to have been part of such a great club for so long and this has made the decision to move on even harder.

“I will continue to work as an Academy coach and in the community programme and will be as committed to this area as I have been over the past four years.

“I wish everyone associated with the club all the very best.”

Boss Mark Bower said he had a few players “in the pipeline” as he looks to bolster his squad further after Gavin Rothery and Ryan Toulson have also signed on for next season.

Bower said: “Danny Ellis has been a loyal servant and a great player for the club over the last ten years.

“The increased time commitments and the fact that Danny’s partner has recently had a baby has led him to make this decision.

“We are grateful for everything he has done and everyone wishes him all the best for his next move, although he will still be around the club in a non-playing capacity, of course.”

Bower will face his former club when Bradford City visit Nethermoor for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 21 (7.45pm kick-off).

Bower’s men will also face Huddersfield Town and Barnsley and travel to Brighouse Town on Saturday, July 18 for another friendly (2pm kick-off).