We are delighted to announce the signing of 20 year-old midfielder Bailey Conway after a spell with Gainsborough Trinity last season.
Guiseley AFC have landed highly-rated young midfielder Bailey Conway who came up through the Sheffield United Academy, writes Rachel O’Connor.
The 20 year-old, who turns 21 in August, has also attracted the attention of League Two Doncaster Rovers in the past having trialled with them whilst at his first senior club, Rossington Main.
Conway started out with his local club Stainforth Juniors and then spent eight years in the Sheffield United Academy, where he played alongside the likes of Harrison Neal, Kyron Gordon and Zak Brunt with former Guiseley loanee goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst in the year above him.
After his time at Rossington he joined Alfreton Town and last season after impressing for Billy Heath’s side he was snapped up by Gainsborough Trinity who beat a number of other clubs to his signature.
The Doncaster-born and raised player is a tough tackling, technically gifted midfielder with an eye for a pass. He can comfortably operate in a central defensive midfield role.
Prior to his move up the ladder to National League North side Alfreton Conway established himself in the Rossington Main engine room over a three year period.
He was part of one of Rossington’s most successful seasons which saw them reach the play-off final, only to be defeated by North Ferriby. Something they improved on last season by winning the final.
Work rate, energy and tough tackling are further attributes Conway brings to the table, and having previously donned the captain’s armband at Rossington he has a lot to offer his new manager Paul Phillips and the Nethermoor fans.
Conway said he was attracted to Guiseley because of their history and track record and the fact that Paul Phillips and Russ O’Neill can push him on with his football career.
He said: “This is a great opportunity for me to show what I can do. Paul and Russ show a lot of ambition for the club to move forward and I want to be part of that. I had a taste of the Play-Offs with Gainsborough last season and I want more of that.”
He added: “I still have ambitions to play in the Football League and I feel that playing as many games as I can with Guiseley and helping to get them promoted would also help my own career.
“I have had a lot of interest in me but I feel that Guiseley, through Russ and Phil, can help me progress my game. Some experienced heads in football pointed me in this direction and I am excited at the thought of starting training with this club,” said Conway.
The player described himself as: “a box-to-box player or one who can sit in front of the defence but I am willing to do whatever the manager wants me to do.”
Conway studied sports coaching at university but is currently working for his father’s firm which supplies artificial grass.
He gained the nickname Mascher from previous teammates who thought his playing style was like that of former Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano.
