GUISELEY have announced the signing of left back Reece Kendall from Spennymoor Town for his second spell with the club.

The 23-year-old, who had a loan spell with Guiseley in early 2021 when he was a Matlock Town player under Phillips, is a versatile left sided player who is equally comfortable in both attacking and defensive roles.

The Halifax-based player has joined Guiseley after spending last season as a regular in the Spennymoor side in National League North.

Discussing his move, Kendall said: “After a season up north I really wanted to move back nearer home and after changing his plans it suited the Spennymoor Chairman to get a fee for me.

“I know from my previous loan at Guiseley that they are a good club and have a good ground and I am looking forward to starting back here. I am enjoying training with a great bunch of lads, and I am happy to be with such a talented set of players.”

Kendall added: “They have made some good signings all round so I don’t feel any pressure on me. I think we will have a great team and will do really well. Of course, I know the manager from my time with him at Matlock and I am looking forward to working with him again.”

He continued: “I want us to hit the ground running and see if we can get out of this league. The lads have looked really fit in training so hopefully we will make a great start.”

Kendall started out as a junior with Halifax Irish and was then attached to Burnley for five years. He had a year at Barnsley and then became an Academy scholar at Halifax Town.

He then spent a title winning season under former Guiseley player and assistant manager Danny Forrest at Silsden. This was followed by a spell at Brighouse Town.

Kendall joined Matlock in June 2019 after his final season with Brighouse saw him play 26 games and score five goals.

Matlock made an undisclosed compensation payment to Brighouse for the transfer. The Gladiators manager Paul Phillips said at the time: “I had been after him for 18 months, I wanted to sign him when I was at Buxton. He’s a left-back with loads of energy, tons of potential and he’s still learning the game. I’ve had lads that have played for England C but he is head and shoulders above them.

“His enthusiasm and energy around the place is a different class. He is a massive signing for us and I expect him to go far in the game. He has the ability to push on to the next level and beyond.”

In his last season at Matlock, he scored eight goals and his then boss Craig Elliott wanted him to stay but fully understood Kendall’s desire to play at a higher level.

Elliott said: “From the first day I came to the club he’d been generating interest, so it was inevitable that he’d go at some point. I would have loved to have kept him but I’m not going to stop a lad playing at the highest level he can. He’s a fantastic player and he’ll be a great signing for Spennymoor. He goes with our best wishes.”