MARCUS Bignot hailed his contrasting pre-seasons at Guiseley, saying he hopes to add three more players to his squad in time for the new season.

The Lions joint-manager, who joined last year, says this year's pre-season has been more football focused ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday, August 3, compared to last summer when the club had to negotiate the exits of a number of players following relegation.

Bignot says his side's pre-season friendly programme, which has varied between Championship opposition in Leeds United to Parkside, of Northern Counties East Football League Division One, who they defeated 4-0 on Tuesday. Guiseley's goals coming from Tabish Hussain, Aram Soleman, Aaron Martin and Kaine Felix.

This midweek victory followed a 2-2 draw with Vanarama National League side Stockport County on Saturday, with Guiseley's strikes coming from Scott Garner and Gabriel Johnson.

Guiseley have their final friendly at home this Saturday when they face South Shields (3pm kick-off), but Bignot says he is looking to split the squad and set up an away friendly, also for this Saturday.

The Lions kick off their new season in Vanarama National League North against King's Lynn Town at Nethermoor a week on Saturday. This is the first of eight league games for Guiseley in August alone for a busy first month of the new campaign.

Bignot says his management team are happy with how the summer has gone for the Lions.

He said: "It feels a complete contrast to last season.

"We are really happy with our recruitment and the direction the group is going.

"As a management staff, recruitment is key. We are seeing it out on the pitch. We still have got a few players to come in.

"We still have three areas of the squad that we need to add to. I'm confident we will get 90 per cent of that business done in time for the first game.

"We're really happy with how pre-season has gone at this stage. We are into week five of pre-season.

"We're ready for the first league game.

"In terms of where we are at, we are on cue. I'm absolutely delighted.

"There has been a process to the pre-season.

"It has been two contrasting pre-seasons. Last year we were negotiating with players to leave the football club. The group now feels ready for the King's Lynn game on the first day of the season.

"We have put pre-season games together and our fitness programme together."

Meanwhile, Guiseley Supporters' Club will hold its annual general meeting and barbecue at Nethermoor from noon on Sunday, July 28.

The Supporters’ Club's AGM will get under way at noon in the clubhouse, followed by the barbecue at 1.30pm.