Post by adambrid on Mar 7, 2009 2:59:47 GMT 1
Hello and welcome to the 26th edition of my weekly blog.
With the bad weather unfortunately putting paid to the Columbus Crew friendly which I was hoping to review, I am instead going to assess the current state of Guiseley.
I will consider four areas of importance: the results, the players, the fans and the behind the scenes staff.
THE RESULTS
The club are currently in a reasonable position in the league following a fantastic start to the season.
A near two month unbeaten streak saw us see off the seemingly unbeatable Ilkeston 1-0 away from home, thump Prescot Cables 6-3 on Merseyside and defeat current league leaders and FA Cup starlets Eastwood Town 2-1 at home.
But we stuttered from the beginning of November with poor losses to the likes of Buxton at home and away at Cammell Laird.
Our record against local rivals was also poor as we lost at home to Bradford Park Avenue in the league and were dumped out of the West Riding County Cup by Ossett Town.
But we seem to have set the ball rolling again after a miserable winter with back to back home league wins over the relegation threatened Leigh Genesis and Prescot Cables.
The latter was a thumping 4-0 victory which will have boosted our confidence even further having produced a solid performance worthy of all three points.
Hopefully we can go on to book ourselves a play off place but to do so we must keep winning and continue the good form as North Ferriby and FC United of Manchester are also on the prowl.
THE PLAYERS
Our squad has been cut desperately short following the infamous budget cuts which have seen us downsize in a number of areas.
The often prolific David Brown has dropped down a division to join Halifax Town. Along with Phil Denney’s departure, we have been left very short up front.
Mark Whitehouse was soon shunned after he played for a Sunday League side without permission from the club while Alex Callery, who was out for some of the season due to injury, has also departed leaving us short on wide players.
The coming months will be a test for the small squad who have occasionally only been able to name several substitutes.
If we do suffer injuries, particularly in midfield or up front, we could well struggle as though we have good Reserve players, there are few candidates as good as the first team regulars.
But Guiseley have had a decent season so far and stuck through many games with mostly the same side.
Danny Ellis has been a rock in defence, Piotr Skiba has more than proven his worth in goal and James Hanson has notched more than a few goals up front.
Anthony Lloyd has done a sterling job at the back, while Steve Burton’s goal tally has helped us towards a solid goal difference.
I feel that recent results show that bar injuries occurring, we can climb the table and challenge for the play offs.
THE FANS
In one of my previous blogs, I noted how sometimes coming to watch Guiseley is worth it just for the banter among the supporters.
We can lose terribly but the experience is still worth the time, effort and money because it’s a joy to sit with the home support with whom not a minute goes by without a joke being cracked or laughter.
I will never forget the memorable quotes of one fan telling the referee at an Eastwood Town free kick to “move the ball back” because he doesn’t go that far on his holidays.
Eastwood manager Paul Cox was given grief all game as he stood in the fenced off main stand to shout instructions to his side. He was asking for trouble.
When he demanded discipline, one home fan asked who that was before another noted that he was actually referring to a disciple.
We have some brilliant home support and although our away contingent may not be as strong as it used to be, Guiseley has some fantastic fans who have stuck by the club through thick and thin.
An honourable mention must go to Gary Wild who provides a fabulous minibus service to away games. I will never forget my trip to and from Sheffield FC for the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay!
We have some brilliant support and if it continues we have every chance of achieving promotion.
BEHIND THE SCENES STAFF
It cannot be argued that the club have some fantastic staff who have contributed much to the cause this season.
Week in, week out the same turnstile crew ensure everyone gets to see the game, Sue Clapham is there helping out with the raffle tickets and the food stalls all run smoothly.
Gladys Clapham helped out tirelessly with the club but sadly passed away in the early hours of Tuesday 11 November 2008.
Gladys was rightfully honoured at the FC United of Manchester game where fans stood to give her a minute’s applause.
When the main stand was the victim of an arson attack, the club worked hard to ensure fans could still sit in the stand to enjoy the football.
Peter is always in the club shop and even offered to open it on a non match day for fans looking to purchase merchandise after he was absent for a game due to a family emergency.
The bar staff make sure everyone has a good time before, during and after a game and they continue to do a fantastic job.
It is people like this who ensure Guiseley is the place to be on a Saturday afternoon.
I hope you enjoyed my look at the current state of Guiseley.
As always, we welcome your thoughts and comments.
Next week I will look in to another random Guiseley topic!
AB
With the bad weather unfortunately putting paid to the Columbus Crew friendly which I was hoping to review, I am instead going to assess the current state of Guiseley.
I will consider four areas of importance: the results, the players, the fans and the behind the scenes staff.
THE RESULTS
The club are currently in a reasonable position in the league following a fantastic start to the season.
A near two month unbeaten streak saw us see off the seemingly unbeatable Ilkeston 1-0 away from home, thump Prescot Cables 6-3 on Merseyside and defeat current league leaders and FA Cup starlets Eastwood Town 2-1 at home.
But we stuttered from the beginning of November with poor losses to the likes of Buxton at home and away at Cammell Laird.
Our record against local rivals was also poor as we lost at home to Bradford Park Avenue in the league and were dumped out of the West Riding County Cup by Ossett Town.
But we seem to have set the ball rolling again after a miserable winter with back to back home league wins over the relegation threatened Leigh Genesis and Prescot Cables.
The latter was a thumping 4-0 victory which will have boosted our confidence even further having produced a solid performance worthy of all three points.
Hopefully we can go on to book ourselves a play off place but to do so we must keep winning and continue the good form as North Ferriby and FC United of Manchester are also on the prowl.
THE PLAYERS
Our squad has been cut desperately short following the infamous budget cuts which have seen us downsize in a number of areas.
The often prolific David Brown has dropped down a division to join Halifax Town. Along with Phil Denney’s departure, we have been left very short up front.
Mark Whitehouse was soon shunned after he played for a Sunday League side without permission from the club while Alex Callery, who was out for some of the season due to injury, has also departed leaving us short on wide players.
The coming months will be a test for the small squad who have occasionally only been able to name several substitutes.
If we do suffer injuries, particularly in midfield or up front, we could well struggle as though we have good Reserve players, there are few candidates as good as the first team regulars.
But Guiseley have had a decent season so far and stuck through many games with mostly the same side.
Danny Ellis has been a rock in defence, Piotr Skiba has more than proven his worth in goal and James Hanson has notched more than a few goals up front.
Anthony Lloyd has done a sterling job at the back, while Steve Burton’s goal tally has helped us towards a solid goal difference.
I feel that recent results show that bar injuries occurring, we can climb the table and challenge for the play offs.
THE FANS
In one of my previous blogs, I noted how sometimes coming to watch Guiseley is worth it just for the banter among the supporters.
We can lose terribly but the experience is still worth the time, effort and money because it’s a joy to sit with the home support with whom not a minute goes by without a joke being cracked or laughter.
I will never forget the memorable quotes of one fan telling the referee at an Eastwood Town free kick to “move the ball back” because he doesn’t go that far on his holidays.
Eastwood manager Paul Cox was given grief all game as he stood in the fenced off main stand to shout instructions to his side. He was asking for trouble.
When he demanded discipline, one home fan asked who that was before another noted that he was actually referring to a disciple.
We have some brilliant home support and although our away contingent may not be as strong as it used to be, Guiseley has some fantastic fans who have stuck by the club through thick and thin.
An honourable mention must go to Gary Wild who provides a fabulous minibus service to away games. I will never forget my trip to and from Sheffield FC for the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay!
We have some brilliant support and if it continues we have every chance of achieving promotion.
BEHIND THE SCENES STAFF
It cannot be argued that the club have some fantastic staff who have contributed much to the cause this season.
Week in, week out the same turnstile crew ensure everyone gets to see the game, Sue Clapham is there helping out with the raffle tickets and the food stalls all run smoothly.
Gladys Clapham helped out tirelessly with the club but sadly passed away in the early hours of Tuesday 11 November 2008.
Gladys was rightfully honoured at the FC United of Manchester game where fans stood to give her a minute’s applause.
When the main stand was the victim of an arson attack, the club worked hard to ensure fans could still sit in the stand to enjoy the football.
Peter is always in the club shop and even offered to open it on a non match day for fans looking to purchase merchandise after he was absent for a game due to a family emergency.
The bar staff make sure everyone has a good time before, during and after a game and they continue to do a fantastic job.
It is people like this who ensure Guiseley is the place to be on a Saturday afternoon.
I hope you enjoyed my look at the current state of Guiseley.
As always, we welcome your thoughts and comments.
Next week I will look in to another random Guiseley topic!
AB