We are delighted to announce the signing of Amir Berchil from Emley for our first new addition of the season!

Vowing to keep his football career on an upward trajectory is Guiseley AFC’s new signing from Emley, free-scoring winger Amir Berchil, writes Rachel O’Connor.

The 24 year-old Berchil netted 18 times in his 50 appearances for Emley last term as he helped power them to the play-offs in the Northern Premier League Division One East.

Born in London he and his family moved north to be closer to family and he dismissed his early attachments to London clubs Chelsea and Watford as ‘just one of those things most young footballers do’.

After starting his Yorkshire football journey at Nostell Miners Welfare he quickly made his mark and started to attract the attention of other clubs making his way through Yorkshire Amateurs, Albion Sports, Thackley and North Ferriby, where he spent two seasons, to end up at Emley last season where he quickly became a crowd favourite.

His form at Emley piqued Guiseley’s interest and after speaking to manager Mark Bower, and on the back of recommendations from former Guiseley players, he decided that Guiseley was the club for him.

He said: “It was an easy decision to make once Guiseley showed interest in me. Having lived around Leeds for ten years I knew what sort of club they were and it was a step up for me. Guiseley always seemed highly regarded by people in non-league football and I knew a lot of lads who were in their Academy who always spoke highly of them.”

He added: “It is a club built on solid foundations and they have experience of having been in the National League and National League North so they have a good background.”

Berchil continued: “I had heard of the good work that manager Mark Bower and his assistant Danny Boshell had done and that they are good gaffers so I am pleased to sign for them. I spoke to Mark and he seemed a nice man with a good football head and he seemed to understand what type of player I am.”

Looking forward to the new season with Guiseley in the Pitching In Premier Division Berchil said: “I want another good season both for myself and the team. It is only nice when you win as a team and your team does well. I know that Guiseley have big aspirations and I do too. We want to win the league and be our very best.”

What will the player bring to Guiseley?

“I love dribbling and scoring goals, that makes me happy and hopefully entertains the spectators. I want my football to excite the fans and I am looking forward to getting to know them. The reason to play is to make the people who come to watch enjoy the game. I am hoping to score more goals and get plenty of assists and I am looking forward to meeting everyone.”

At the end of an exciting season for the winger Berchil was named in the Northern Premier League East Division Team of the Season and was crowned the division’s Young Player of the Season.

Amir also won Emley’s Players’ Player of the Season and The Roger Wood Memorial Shield to cap off an excellent campaign.

Amir’s home, away and training kits are all available to sponsor, please email james.pickles@guiseleyafc.co.uk for more information.