GUISELEY have announced that Andy Kellett has signed a new contract with the club for the 2021/22 season.

Midfielder Andy Kellett is looking forward to establishing himself in the Guiseley AFC side after signing a new contract with the club writes Rachel O’Connor.

The 27 year-old joined the club last season but with time out due to injuries he made only six starts and two substitute appearances in the Covid-19 season reduced to 20 games. With games played without crowds the former Bolton Wanderers player found it a different experience to the one he had anticipated as a Guiseley player.

Having watched YouTube footage of Guiseley’s games before joining them he had been impressed by the support they had from their fans and after speaking to some of the club’s established players he had looked forward to playing in front of the Lions supporters.

He said: “The lads told me how supportive the Guiseley fans are and it felt like it was a club where everyone was together. I feel that is what I missed experiencing last season. I am now looking forward to the new season and hope that the crowds are back. I have always wanted to be involved with the fans as I appreciate what they bring to the game, especially at non-league level.”

After having a few injury niggles last season Kellett said he has been building up his strength and fitness and is raring to get started with pre-season training. He added:”It is hard doing things on your own but you have got to motivate yourself and I am probably the strongest I have ever been.”

Continuing Kellett said:”It looks like we are building up a really good squad and when the fans are allowed back in they will give us a real boost. As a group we will be trying to finish as high as we can especially as last season was such a disappointing one due to Covid. The coming season could be a really positive one

The Bolton-born midfielder, who came up through the Academy at home town club Bolton Wanderers, joined Guiseley after experiencing non-league football for the first time with two games for Alfreton Town in the Vanarama National League North. He had another year to run on his contract at Notts County when he decided to look for more game time elsewhere. He had only recently signed for Alfreton when the season came to a premature end.

Kellett’s path to professional football came due to a slice of good luck. He was playing for his dad’s Saturday league team and they got to a final played at the Reebok. Bolton scouts were watching his best mate but they signed them both on.

Whilst at Bolton, Kellett went on a half season loan to Manchester United and played for their Under-21’s side and also had a loan spell at Plymouth Argyle. On leaving Bolton Kellett signed for Wigan and enjoyed a loan spell at Chesterfield before joining Notts County in 2018.