One man in today’s derby game with a foot in both camps is Farsley Celtic captain Danny Ellis.

The popular centre-back is held in high regard among Guiseley fans, firstly for his role as a tough defender with the club for five years and secondly in the role he has held for seven years as Head Coach with the very successful Guiseley Academy, working under Dave Currie writes Rachel O’Connor.

Bradford lad Danny, 34, also has another role at Guiseley coaching within the Community Foundation. Part of that role is working as a coach behind the closed doors of Wetherby Young Offenders Institute. Danny admits it was a culture shock at first but has settled into the role after two years working to improve the lives of young offenders through sport.

He said: “It is a challenging environment but there is a lot of potential among the lads there and it has been rewarding.”

Danny, who will be taking his UEFA A Licence at St George’s Park in May, has coached over a wide spectrum of ages, not just at Guiseley AFC with the Academy, at holiday camps and at WYOI but also with former clubmate Danny Forrest running children’s classes and camps. The pair are both former Bradford City players.

Ellis joined Guiseley in 2005 and remained until June 2015, when he left to take up an offer at Harrogate Town, where he remained for two seasons. He then signed for Farsley Celtic in May 2017 and enjoyed a successful season last time out as The Celts gained promotion to the National North.

His current manager Adam Lakeland, said of him: “Danny is the type of footballer who is a dying breed. He will give you everything on the pitch and win at all costs.”

Boxing Day was the first time Danny has been back as a player in opposition but he is as familiar as ever with the place with his Academy and Community Foundation duties meaning he is here on a regular basis.

He said: “I am looking forward to it, I have great memories of playing at Guiseley, there are great people and great fans there.