Guiseley AFC have taken up an option in Amir Berchil’s contract to keep the winger at Nethermoor for the 2026/27 campaign and he is delighted by the decision, writes Rachel O’Connor.
Speaking from his holiday destination in Portugal the 26 year-old Berchil gave the impression of a man who just cannot wait for pre-season to get started and to be a part of Ian Richards’ new Guiseley squad.
The player was very obviously impressed with the management style brought to Guiseley last season by Richards and his management team saying: “Ian is an amazing gaffer and such a nice man. It is good to work with him and I am very happy to play for him and listen to him again in the new season.”
He added: “We are back in training at the end of the month and I just cannot wait. I have been keeping fit to make sure that I am ready for the challenge. Last season in parts I did not feel that I could really express myself as much as I would have liked to and I look forward to us as a team rectifying that in the coming season and proving that we are a good team.
“We are assembling an amazing squad and the minimum we should be aiming for is the Play-Offs but I believe that we are capable of challenging for the league title. I am excited by the quality of the squad Ian is assembling and it was an easy decision for me to agree to the option on my contract being taken up by the club.
“They told me early on after Ian came in as manager that they wanted to take up the option and it was a very easy decision for me to make. I wanted to have a real chance of playing under Ian and I wanted a fresh start after the disappointment of how last season ended. I think with the structure of the squad we are assembling we will do well.”
Speaking of the club Berchil said: “Before I came to the club I did not really know all that much about Guiseley apart from other players speaking well of it. I found it such a welcoming club with a great family atmosphere, not just among the fans but also the players and their families. Just look at Brownie (Ollie Brown) and how all his extended family turn up to support him and the team, it is amazing and I love it when my Mum can get here for games.”
He added: “Everyone around the club speaks to you and I appreciate that so much. The fans and volunteers make this club. I am now looking forward to getting ready for the new season and having a fresh start, getting back with the boys and having a good start to the season. There is a much more positive atmosphere now and the recruitment has been excellent.”
Berchil joined the club in the close season last year from Emley making 38 appearances in the 2025/26 campaign and netting one goal. He was awarded the 2025/26 Sponsors’ Player
of the Season award at the End of Season Dinner. The exciting winger, with pace, skills and trickery, made a solid start to life at Nethermoor forming a key part of the frontline.
Born in London Berchil’s Yorkshire football journey at Nostell Miners Welfare where 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. He was on the books at Chelsea and Watford before his move up north with his family.
