MARCUS Bignot says Guiseley need a reality check as they look to move forward after surviving a relegation scare.

The former Queens Park Rangers defender says he and fellow joint-manager Russ O'Neill will sit down with Guiseley's board this weekend as they look to shape its future.

Bignot says he and O'Neill have helped get Guiseley back on an even keel and debt free. They have also steered Guiseley to fourth-from-bottom in the Vanarama National League North with two successive wins, culminating in a 2-1 final-day victory over Kidderminster Harriers.

He says this conclusion to the campaign has buoyed the part-time club, but they will not now be able to compete financially for players with full-time clubs in an ever-competitive division next season. Bignot added the board are equally as realistic about the club's financial standing against other clubs.

He said: "It's been a huge job to now be in this position financially.

"We are delighted and it gets us all on a clean slate. This club is debt free. It's not been in this position for quite a long time.

"We're going to sit down with the chairman and the board at the weekend and we will know where we are at at the beginning of next week. I'm really looking forward to our conversation.

"There has got to be a realism now. This league is getting more and more difficult.

"We will still be a part-time football club.

"There are still clubs that are full-time in this league. Some clubs are doing a hybrid version of training;two evenings and two mornings a week.

"We can't compete with that and we've got to find a way to be competitive in this league. It's about us working smartly. We have to find other ways to bridge the gap.

"We won't be able to pay well. We've got to act smartly without paying well. We've got to find other ways.

"The board and ourselves know exactly where we're at as a football club, and know what needs to be done moving forward.

"The second half of the season was really positive. We got to unite the football club. There were 44 players at the club at the start of the season.

“This league is getting harder and harder and we’re a small club in terms of fanbase and infrastructure. But we came to Kidderminster against a full-time club with an infrastructure that’s frightening and this is what we’re competing with.

“We have always overachieved and we’re looking forward to overachieving again.

"The big test is next year. We want to be able to compete like in seasons gone by.

"We've been able to attract good players and able to pay well in seasons gone by. We won't be able to pay well now."

Despite the rollercoaster season of FA Cup runs and relegation battles, Bignot says consolidation is key for Guiseley as they look to make their way in the division.

He added: "We've got to establish ourselves in the Vanarama North. We have consolidated, now how do we become established in the Vanarama North?

"We're playing clubs like Kidderminster Harriers who are full-time, but we've got to find a way week in week out.

"I'm encouraged by the progress, but how can we become established?"