GUISELEY will kick off their third Vanarama National League campaign with a home game against newly-promoted Ebbsfleet United.

The Nethermoor clash on Saturday, August 5 is the first of seven fixtures the Lions will play in the first month of the campaign.

Their first away game is against Gateshead on Tuesday, August 8 and will see them come up against striker Jordan Preston who joined them this week after rejecting an offer from Guiseley.

Another player to depart this week was former Leeds United midfieldman Simon Walton. He has joined Sutton and will face his old club for the first time at Nethermoor on November 25.

Guiseley have an attractive August Bank holiday weekend programme with a trip to near neighbours Halifax on Saturday, August 16 followed by a home game with relegated Hartlepool United two days later.

The festive fixtures see the Lions visit Chester on Boxing Day and Tranmere Rovers on December 30 before hosting Chester on New Year’s Day.

The Easter programme reflects just how tough the National League can be. A home game with Leyton Orient on Good Friday (March 30) is followed by a trip to Hartlepool on Easter Monday (April 2).

The Guiseley squad returned to training last weekend and will play their first pre-season game in front of a sell-out crowd of 3,000 against Leeds United on Saturday.

The last 200 tickets were snapped up in just 20 minutes at Nethermoor on Monday.

The attendance will be a record for Nethermoor as Leeds United’s new manager Thomas Christiansen takes charge of the Championship club for the first time.

Guiseley boss Adam Lockwood is expected to field a number of trialists as he looks to further strengthen his squad.

The Lions will take on Championship opposition again on Tuesday when they face Barnsley (7.45pm). Admission to that game is £10.