Guiseley AFC are delighted to announce the arrival of Ian Richards as the Lions’ new first team manager.
Richards joins the club following impressive spells at Stocksbridge Park Steels and Penistone Church, where he has established a strong reputation for developing both individual players and competitive squads. Last season Richards steered the Steels to promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division for the first time in eleven years.
He will be joined by long term assistant manager Andy Ring and first team coach Pete Goldstraw.
The trio have signed contracts until May 2028 and will take a watching brief from the stands on Saturday when we host Hednesford Town at Nethermoor.
The vacant managerial position attracted a wide range of quality candidates. Alongside assessing a list of over 20 credible applicants, club officials assessed possible managers around our level of the game. This was prior to moving onto interview with an exceptionally competitive shortlist of candidates.
In Ian’s time in charge with Stocksbridge Park Steels he evolved the team from a mid table side to play off challengers in two of his three full seasons at Bracken Moor. In the 2024/25 season his charges finished third before winning the playoff final on penalties and securing promotion to the Northern Premier League to compete in the third tier for the first time since 2014.
Prior to his appointment at Stocksbridge Park Steels, Ian spent eleven years with Penistone Church FC, taking the club from the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League through to the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League. Penistone finished second to Worksop Town in the 2018/19 season and the club were two points from the summit in 2019/20 before the pandemic put a halt to the season. Penistone’s rise through the league coincided with five cup finals and three trophies whilst reaching the FA Cup third qualifying round in their first ever entry into the competition.
Richards’ last eight games have brought seven wins and one draw with Stocksbridge however it is also his longer term body of work and reputation for developing players and forming competitive hard working squads that achieve results, which were key factors that led to the clubs’ decision on the appointment.
Ian has expressed a clear hunger and desire to achieve our goals of competing at a higher level. We look forward to the future with Ian, Andy and Pete at the helm.
Ian Richards added upon his appointment: “It is a privilege to be appointed as the first team manager at Guiseley AFC. Thank you to the board for giving me the opportunity to lead this excellent football club into the next chapter of their ambition to return to the National League North. I am excited to work with this excellent group of players who I believe have the ability and experience to be challenging at the top end of the league. However, we know we must focus on getting the confidence and belief back within the squad and start winning football matches to move out of the bottom half of the league.”
“I have clear principles and values in how I want my teams to play and I am confident it is one that the large and loyal fan base will enjoy watching and the players will embrace and allow them to play their best football.”
“Finally, a huge thank you to Liam in his professionalism and commitment to lead the club positively through the change in management. I look forward to seeing him return back to fitness as a player.”
Guiseley AFC Football Secretary and General Manager James Pickles added: “Ian is a manager who has impressed for a number of years and one whom we have kept an eye on as his Stocksbridge team went from strength to strength, especially over the last 18 months. Players who have played under him at Stocksbridge have spoken very highly of his character which also came across in interview. We are looking forward to Ian getting started with the squad and seeing him impact the team performances. We would also like to thank Stocksbridge Park Steels for their understanding of our desire to appoint Ian and their acquiesce in his decision to move from South to West Yorkshire.”
We would also like to place on record our gratitude to Liam Ridehalgh and his assistant Matthew Maslak for stepping in to look after the first team in the interim period.
Liam’s efforts and work ethic has left a lasting impression on the staff at all levels of the club, we are hopeful that these efforts can translate into a positive performance and result on Saturday. Liam will return to the playing squad after Saturday’s fixture and we hope to see him back on the field soon.
