After a host of Guiseley Academy prospects signed first-team forms last week, the club’s Head of Youth Development believes the future is bright at Nethermoor.

Will Wells, Josh Snowden, Joel Thompson, Aaron Fell and Stephen Smith were all given squad numbers prior to the transfer deadline, having featured regularly with the first team during pre-season.

The quintet join Luke Porritt in breaking though to the first-team picture, while Ben Whitfield and Jacob Brown have both progressed to professional football with AFC Bournemouth and Barnsley.

As such, Academy boss Dave Currie believes there is plenty of cause for optimism in the club’s youth ranks.

“It is excellent to see these young lads get the recognition they deserve,” explained Currie.

“They all work hard on and off the pitch to be the best they can be and it is sometimes easy to forget they are still only 17 and 18 years of age.

“They have been involved in friendlies and not looked out of place at all but huge credit to Mark Bower for having confidence in these youngsters.

“Probably the most pleasing factor in this is that four of the lads have progressed from playing Sunday League junior football; it will hopefully inspire other kids to follow their lead.

“They will continue their development playing for partner non-league clubs and our Academy under-21 and under-19 set-ups. In doing so, we hope that they can make the transition to the first team on a regular basis.”