DANNY Forrest has left Silsden after nearly six years in charge to join Guiseley as their assistant manager, a decision he did not take lightly.

The Cobbydalers are set to confirm their new boss imminently, but they almost didn't need to make the change.

Forrest told the Keighley News: "Silsden mean a lot to me, 100 per cent, and it wasn't taken lightly, my decision to leave.

"I've said I couldn't turn down the chance at Guiseley, but there was still a big part of me telling me to stay at Silsden.

"From when I took charge of Silsden to now, the club has gone from strength to strength, and I'm proud of what we achieved over the years.

"There was a lot of hard work with a core of loyal players, but also a lot of players we got through the door that we'd never have thought would come to Silsden.

"I'm happy with the shape the club has been left in for the new person to come and take charge."

Asked what he learned at Silsden, his first managerial role, Forrest said: "I learned to be adaptable in games, but also about dealing with the fact the lads have other jobs and priorities, and that they play football for pleasure.

"You learn it's about managing people, not footballers, and I know I've not always got that right, but I was always speaking to people and trying to help them, and I developed a sense of what management's all about.

"I've made big progress but I'm not where I want to be just yet."

On his own highlights in charge of Silsden, Forrest said: "Winning Division One of the North West Counties League (in 2017/18) was one of my best seasons in football, at any level.

"The lads showed so much togetherness and it was great how fun they made it.

"It was a bit easier, winning games nearly every week, but then the season after promotion we finished ninth, which was the club's joint-highest ever league finish.

"Those two seasons I look back on particularly fondly, but in general we all had such a great bond at the club.

"That core of players drilled things, but they were all a pleasure to work with, and it meant the lads were a big part of me enjoying going to work every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

"I have to acknowledge my staff too, who put in blood, sweat and tears, the likes of Craig Bentham and Tom Higman.

"Not a day went by when we weren't on the phone to each other, or texting each other about matters concerning the club, so I'm very grateful to them.

"I'd also like thank the Silsden committee for the chance they gave me at the club."

Comparing his new role to his old one, Forrest added: "A lot of work needs doing at Guiseley (following their relegation from National League North) and this is a chance for myself and (manager) Danny Ellis to go in and start afresh.

"I enjoyed building Silsden up and this is similar."

Forrest used to play for Guiseley, and he admitted: "I've got to admit, I wasn't pining for a new role or after one, but this opportunity came along, and I think with having such an affiliation with Guiseley, it was one I had to take seriously.

"I couldn't turn it down really, I'm looking forward to it and happy for the opportunity.

"It was a pull going back to my old club, as I'd always had a good relationship with everyone at Guiseley and to have Danny get the manager's job, he's a good friend and I know we work well as a team."