England Youth international goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst made his debut for The Lions in the game against Altrincham last Saturday.

He joins Guiseley on a work experience loan from Sheffield United and was inbetween the sticks in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Bradford (Park Avenue).

The 17 year-old signed a pro contract with Sheffield United at the end of his scholarship and has played for the Blades U-18s and Under-23s teams.

His father Rob comes from a Burley-in-Wharfedale family and as a centre-back joined Blackburn Rovers from school having played for Burley Juniors. Rob played for Rovers first team on 13 occasions before joining Hull City in 1993 and went on to play 138 games before joining Exeter City.

Marcus, who started his footballing life as a striker and only changed to goalkeeping a few years ago, with Hessle Sporting Club, has gone on to represent England at Under-17 and Under-18 levels and is currently in the Under-18 squad.

He is making good progress with the Blades and signed as a first-year pro at the end of his scholarship.

The teenager was named in the England U-17s squad for the Algarve Tournament which took place in Portugal last February, after having previously been called up by England as a training goalkeeper, and was officially part of Steve Cooper’s 21-man squad that competed against hosts Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands.

This annual tournament was part of England’s preparations for the UEFA U-17 European Championships Finals played last May in England in which the host nation went out in the semi-finals in a shoot out.

Sheffield United’s Academy Manager Travis Binnion said: “Marcus has progressed very well during his first season in full-time football. He has worked very hard with Matt Duke, our Academy goalkeeping coach, and both deserve credit, for this fully deserved call-up.”

To further Dewhurst’s experience The Blades sent him out on loan to Lee Sinnott’s Gainsborough Trinity earlier this season.

Welcome to Guiseley Marcus!