Former Sunderland and Leicester City midfielder appointed manager of Yorkshire non-league club

Seventh-tier side Guiseley had been on the hunt for a new boss after parting ways with Paul Phillips last month.

The Lions now have their man in 40-year-old Welsh.

He had been out of work since departing Bury, who he had led since the club’s revival in 2020.

Prior to his Shakers spell, Welsh was in charge of Ossett United.

As a player, Welsh plied his trade in the Premier League for Sunderland and also represented the likes of Stockport County, Blackpool and Leicester City.

He said: “We are excited to get started at Guiseley, a club at non-league with a lot of history, with the potential to help grow the fanbase bringing together the local community to support and get behind their team is something we are looking forward to.

"This league is a very tough division, and we need everyone getting behind the team home and away to bring that feel good factor back to the stands.

“The current squad looks strong however I believe this division is the strongest it has ever been, so we know the next month of games is going to be really tough against the top teams in this league.

"Add to that the start to the season has been up and down, levels need to be lifted as at the minute we are mid-table with a tough run of games so this will show us where the players are at if they want to compete and battle when our backs are against the wall.

"I’m sure they are capable of doing this, but we all have to work together to create a hard to beat mentality when clubs visit us at Nethermoor.

"Our potential is as hard as everyone wants to work both on and off the field and the buy in from players, staff, supporters and the community is really important from day one.”

Welsh will be in the stands when Guiseley welcome Marine to West Yorkshire tonight (October 24).