For 110 years the Lions have been an important part of local life. Over the next few weeks we will look back over seasons past. Hopefully you can help us secure our future by looking back at our past and support our fundraising efforts to help the clubs cashflow during the coronavirus crisis.
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Guiseley AFC 1933/34 by Colin Robertson
Just before the footballers kicked a ball in anger for the 1933/34 season Winston Churchill made his first public speech warning of the dangers of German rearmament. Few believed his warnings, and few in the Guiseley camp would have believed the Lions would retain their title after an opening day defeat to Wyke Old Boys.
However just a week later and Guiseley were back on form and won in style at home 10-1 against Yorkshire Amateur. Forward Stanley Binns notched a double hat-trick as the Lions were rampant in front of goal.
Unfortunately Guiseley lacked consistency and by Christmas, following defeats to Farsley Celtic 6-4, and Meltham Mills 6-3 the Lions were left in sixth place and seemingly out of touch of the title race.
As the situation in Germany worsened Albert Einstein fled his native country and arrived in the United States as a refugee from the Nazi regime. Meanwhile in London, the potential future home of Chelsea FC, Battersea Power Station, first generated electricity.
In the FA Cup the local community were excited about the prospect of the Lion’s in the competition. Over 1,500 fans crammed into Nethermoor to watch Guiseley thrash Midland League side Wath Athletic 7-1 at Nethermoor.
In the next round Guiseley faced Denaby United. The two sides drew 1-1 at Nethermoor before United inflicted a humiliating 5-0 defeat on the Lions in the replay.
As 1934 got underway the disconcerting sight of ten thousand Fascist’s on the streets of Birmingham hit the headlines as Oswald Moseley’s British Union of Fascists rally marched.
Football went into mourning when Herbert Chapman, the most outstanding football manager of his generation, died aged 59 after contracting pneumonia days after a scouting trip to watch Bury.
The Lions had had a marvellous run in the Amateur Cup the previous season. These heroics meant that Guiseley were placed into the First Round Proper automatically. However, Middlesbrough side Southbank sent the Lions packing with a 2-0 victory.
There was little time for the Lions to feel sorry for themselves. The West Riding County Cup pitched Guiseley against St Cuthberts of Huddersfield. The resulting game was a staggering one with Guiseley running out 17-1 winners. Binns grabbed his second double hat-trick of the season, while Winfield, Cliffe, and Smith also grabbed hat-tricks. Despite this fantastic result the Lions then lost 4-2 to lowly Selby.
However despite cup disappointment league form improved. An unbeaten run put the side back at the top of the table and the title was clinched when the Lions comprehensively beat Marshfield Athletic 9-0.
On top of League success the Lions also won two cups, beating Yeadon Celtic 4-0 at Nethermoor in the League Cup final, and by beating Liversedge 3-0 to lift the Bradford Hospital Cup again.
Elsewhere in football Arsenal retained the league ahead of Huddersfield Town. Manchester City beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup final, Leeds finished 9th in Division One, while Bradford Park Avenue and Bradford City finished 5th and 6th in Division Two respectively. In the summer the second World Cup was contested in Italy and won by the hosts who beat Czechoslovakia in the final.
