We are delighted to announce that Jameel Ible has signed a new contract for the 2023/24 season.
The defender extended his stay with the Lions after returning from international duty with St Kitts and Nevis, writes Rachel O’Connor.
Ible, 29, is delighted to have put pen to paper for another season in what is his second spell with the club, having previously played for us in 2015.
He said: “I love it here, there is a good feel about this club and the fans and the people who work behind the scenes always support you. Things haven’t worked out as we wanted this season but they are still there supporting us and I would love to repay them next season.
“To that end it is vital that we get business done early and get the players signed up so that we can get a good start. If we can do that there is no reason why we should not press on, we have some excellent players and some excellent young talent who will only improve.”
Ible has his mind set firmly on next season and showed his confidence in the club by signing a new contract on his return.
The popular player feels that The Lions lost their way in the promotion battle following a string of injuries.
He said: “We had many injuries which disrupted the side and led to the management having to bring in lots of players in an attempt to plug the gaps. The injuries killed us and having to bring all those players in led to inconsistency but I am confident in the manager and the club and that is why I have signed early for next season.”
He added: “The manager Paul Phillips improved us when he and his team came in and we now need to get things done early so that we can prepare properly for the start of next season and give it a real go.
“We have some great young talents such as the Irish boys Kallan Murphy and Leigh Whelan, who never give you less than 100%, and hopefully Lewis Whitham makes a good recovery from his injuries. It was devastating to lose him just as we were going so well. We all need to support him and make sure he recovers well to play a part next season.”
Prior to joining Guiseley from Whitby Town at the start of the current season UEFA B licensed coach Ible had played for Pontefract Collieries, Salford City, Frickley Athletic and Scarborough Athletic.
The player returned from international duty with St Kitts and Nevis on Thursday after CONCACAF Nations League wins over Saint Martin by 3-1 and Aruba by 2-0
He and fellow Pitching In League player Raheem Hanley, a midfielder with Stalybridge Celtic, were among nine English-based players in the St Kitts squad.
It is eight years since Ible’s previous appearance for St Kitts, he played against Andorra and Estonia in 2015.
He is not the first Guiseley player to have played for St Kitts as that honour went to Des Hazel who made four appearances in 2000, and subsequently Rowan Liburd played. Former Guiseley player Lutel James also had the honour.
Ible’s message to the Guiseley faithful is: “Keep giving us your support and we will repay you, I feel that if we can keep a lot of these players together and remain relatively injury free then we can do well.”
Jameel joins Cam Mason and Scott Bakkor in being contracted to the club for next season.
