Guiseley AFC are delighted to announce the return of Mark Bower as First Team Manager.
Mark will take the reins following tomorrows fixture away at Workington, taking a watching brief from the stands alongside his assistant manager Danny Boshell. Mark rejoins the club on a two year contract until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Mark managed the Lions previously in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 season’s, culminating in a National League North playoff final victory away at Chorley which has gone down as one of the greatest moments in the clubs history. The following season Mark and Danny managed to keep the club in the National Division, again securing the achievement in a nail biting 4-3 home victory over Torquay United. Since leaving the club in August 2016, Mark has managed local rivals Bradford Park Avenue on two occasions, taking them to the National League North playoffs in the 2017/18 season and repeating the feat the following year.
In Mark’s three seasons at the club he led the Lions to two play off finals and ensured his side only spent one week in the Vanarama National League relegation zone in their opening season in non league’s top tier against all the odds.
His 43% win rate overall, across 159 games, is impressive but before promotion Bower held a 55% victory rate with the club.
When he was united with his assistant Danny Boshell in the 2013/14 campaign the duo took the club from the relegation zone to a play off final in their first season in management.
Their second season together had the fairytale ending in promotion to start a new chapter in the Lions’ history.
James Pickles added “We are delighted to secure the return of Mark and Danny to the club following their previous successful spell. We again had strong interest in the role however we felt Mark’s enthusiasm for a return, his previous success and experiences over the last few seasons will prove him to be the best manager to take this club forward, long term. We have a strong core to the squad which we are looking to retain for next season and we feel that Mark’s strengths in creating a strong changing room mentality and tight-knit squad are exactly what is needed for the club.
An interview with Mark will take place tomorrow at Workington and will be published online in the coming days.
Mark and Danny will both be playing in the John Bridson Tribute Match at Nethermoor on Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm with a ‘Pay What You Want’ donation system in place at the turnstiles, all funds raised will go towards installing a new tunnel at Nethermoor in tribute to John. Snacks and drinks will also be on sale at the game with a raffle taking place.
