Post by maverick on May 27, 2011 10:50:31 GMT 1
It has come to my attention that Guiseley AFC reserve side will cease to exist. It has been decided, by the powers that be, that the club does not need a second team. Obviously Mr Chairman feels that the funding used for the reserves would be better spent on new signings or more extortionate player wages within the first team.
For many of you this news will not even touch the sides. However, for those few that did regularly pass time watching the second side in action it may come as a bit of a shock. Those people that did watch the reserve side, particularly under Vinnie and Stu, will have seen a team of young men play some extraordinary football. The team as a whole tried to play football the right way, by getting the ball down and playing open passing football. A style of play that has not reached the top of the club as the first team, it seems, would rather play a long ball game.
Having been involved in the reserve set up as a player and more recently an observer over the last few years I have often wondered about whether Mr Kitterick used the reserve side to its full potential. Rarely was it used as a platform for fringe players of the first team squad to gain match practice. On those rare occasions that first team players were asked to don the reserves shirt it seemed as though the ‘better’ first team players were outshone by the younger, lesser reserve team players. Perhaps that was slightly harsh, perhaps the only reason they did not perform when playing in the reserve set up was because they simply felt the level was below them and just did not want to be there.
An even rarer spectacle for the reserve side was a move in the other direction for any of the players. The gulf between the reserves and the first team was immense. The latest player to be given even a sniff of a chance was Grant Roberts, reserves players player of the year, who was asked to train regularly with the first team but never really made the grade according to Mr Kitterick. Grant is just one of many players that have slipped through the proverbial Guiseley net. Questions can be asked about Danny Forrest who played a couple of games for the first team before he was left out in the cold and decided to move onto better things. Danny Husband, a very talented centre half, was harshly moved on. Callum White made a sprinkle of first team appearances but felt things would be better for him elsewhere. Chris Davey a very gifted footballer and leader had no real chance offered to him in the first team. These are just a few players over the last few seasons that have not made the grade at Guiseley AFC according to numerous first team managers but have all gone on to play first team football at some of Guiseleys local rivals.
I for one feel that the closure of the reserve side is a step in the wrong direction for a club such as Guiseley. For a club that wants to move up the leagues and win trophies this is surly a very short sighted decision.
I whole heartedly wish the boys from the reserves the best of luck in whatever direction they choose to take. Many of them are easily good enough to play first team football at Guiseley but will have to now do so elsewhere. To Kate, the reserve team physio, I wish the best of luck. To Rachel I thank you so much for everything you have done for every single player in the reserves. To Vinnie and Stu I would like to thank you also, the football style that you have introduced to the reserve side has been excellent I hope the players carry it with them wherever they go.
Maverick – Ex Guiseley Reserve supporter.
For many of you this news will not even touch the sides. However, for those few that did regularly pass time watching the second side in action it may come as a bit of a shock. Those people that did watch the reserve side, particularly under Vinnie and Stu, will have seen a team of young men play some extraordinary football. The team as a whole tried to play football the right way, by getting the ball down and playing open passing football. A style of play that has not reached the top of the club as the first team, it seems, would rather play a long ball game.
Having been involved in the reserve set up as a player and more recently an observer over the last few years I have often wondered about whether Mr Kitterick used the reserve side to its full potential. Rarely was it used as a platform for fringe players of the first team squad to gain match practice. On those rare occasions that first team players were asked to don the reserves shirt it seemed as though the ‘better’ first team players were outshone by the younger, lesser reserve team players. Perhaps that was slightly harsh, perhaps the only reason they did not perform when playing in the reserve set up was because they simply felt the level was below them and just did not want to be there.
An even rarer spectacle for the reserve side was a move in the other direction for any of the players. The gulf between the reserves and the first team was immense. The latest player to be given even a sniff of a chance was Grant Roberts, reserves players player of the year, who was asked to train regularly with the first team but never really made the grade according to Mr Kitterick. Grant is just one of many players that have slipped through the proverbial Guiseley net. Questions can be asked about Danny Forrest who played a couple of games for the first team before he was left out in the cold and decided to move onto better things. Danny Husband, a very talented centre half, was harshly moved on. Callum White made a sprinkle of first team appearances but felt things would be better for him elsewhere. Chris Davey a very gifted footballer and leader had no real chance offered to him in the first team. These are just a few players over the last few seasons that have not made the grade at Guiseley AFC according to numerous first team managers but have all gone on to play first team football at some of Guiseleys local rivals.
I for one feel that the closure of the reserve side is a step in the wrong direction for a club such as Guiseley. For a club that wants to move up the leagues and win trophies this is surly a very short sighted decision.
I whole heartedly wish the boys from the reserves the best of luck in whatever direction they choose to take. Many of them are easily good enough to play first team football at Guiseley but will have to now do so elsewhere. To Kate, the reserve team physio, I wish the best of luck. To Rachel I thank you so much for everything you have done for every single player in the reserves. To Vinnie and Stu I would like to thank you also, the football style that you have introduced to the reserve side has been excellent I hope the players carry it with them wherever they go.
Maverick – Ex Guiseley Reserve supporter.