GUISELEY boss Mark Bower is aiming to keep the bulk of his squad together as he waits to hear back from a number of his promotion-winning players.

After four previous play-off failures, Bower’s men are now planning for life in the Conference following their stirring 3-2 comeback victory over Chorley earlier this month.

The Lions will remain a part-time operation and face a stern task to compete with the likes of Tranmere Rovers in English football’s fifth tier.

But Bower has set about putting his playing and coaching staff in place, with contract offers having been made to a number of his existing squad.

The Lions manager said: “We’re looking to keep the majority of players.

“Given that we’ve gone up, it’s a bit of a different ask in terms of commitment in time and the extra travel involved.

“It might not suit one or two of the players we’ve got, so we’ve been talking to them this week and seeing what solutions we can come to.

“But I’ve made offers to players and they are considering those, so we’re just finalising that at the moment.

“We’re a fortnight behind everyone else because our season went on two weeks longer because of reaching the play-off final.

“There is lots of stuff going on and it has been manic behind the scenes.

“Trying to get everything done has been difficult as we plan for next season, but we’re getting there.”

Bower is also seeking to add to his backroom staff as Guiseley gear up for the challenge of establishing themselves in the Conference.

He added: “Danny Boshell is my assistant and obviously a player as well, so we will be looking to keep him for next season and Martin Stringfellow as well.

“What we are looking to do is probably just increase the numbers in the coaching staff – with a goalkeeping coach – and possibly someone else as well.

“We don’t have too many people sat on the bench with my assistant being on the pitch, so we are looking to strengthen in that area, certainly with a goalkeeping coach but we will look at other areas as well.”